In response to increasing environmental pressures and material scarcity, this research explores how indigenous building techniques can inform contemporary approaches to tectonic architecture. The study identifies global case-studies on their recurring construction logics and categorizes them into four themes: Stack, Wrap, Fill, and Scaffold. These themes are further examined through complementary contemporary case studies, which demonstrate the continued relevance of material intelligence, structural clarity, and contextual adaptation in modern architectural practice. To test the applicability of these principles, four experimental prototypes were developed using reclaimed materials sourced from the urban environment of Rotterdam. The research illustrates that when reframed through a tectonic lens, traditional ecological knowledge offers valuable insights for developing circular, demountable, and expressive construction systems. By positioning the city as a contemporary material landscape, the study proposes an expanded architectural approach.