The course "Architecture without architects and traditional technologies" (following Rudosfky's book of the same name), taught in the second year architecture degree at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, is an initiative to study the vernacular architecture and the lessons that can be drawn from it for contemporary sustainable living. Through the analysis of several examples of vernacular architecture in Chile and the world the course aims to introduce students to the study of local traditional building design solutions and systems and in the understanding of the close relationship between environment, available natural resources, culture, architecture and technology. This study of vernacular architecture contributes to the initial training of future architects. The aim of the paper is to share this academic experience and to reflect on the need to introduce these topics in the teaching of contemporary architecture.