ABSTRACT Construction techniques and building materials are greatly affected by traditions and local factors which makes each historical structure unique. Therefore, the structural evaluation of these structures should be a structure-specific evaluation rather than a common-precise acceptance. The first step is to set the aim of the evaluation such that it would increase the level of knowledge through field studies and non-destructive experimental methods. This paper presents a formal and structural evaluation of the traditional timber structure, an impressive Turkish Storage Building known as ‘Serender’, in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The formal assessment includes an analysis of construction materials and techniques. The structural evaluation consists of non-ambient vibration test which help determine the dynamic responses of the structure. The method details the natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios, representing the dynamic behavior of the structures. For this purpose, 8 Serender buildings were analyzed and detailed.

ABSTRACT The Industrial Revolution, one of the most important developments of the nineteenth century, affected the Ottoman Empire as well as the whole world. Energy, transportation and production facilities have been built to meet the needs at various points in Anatolia. Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, was also affected by this process. In Bursa, factories related to sericulture, electrical power plants, water and windmills, railway lines were built. These structures, which have lost their function over time due to reasons such as the change in technology and the diversification of needs, are on the verge of disappearing with the lack of function. With this study, it is aimed to document the transformer structures that constitute the industrial heritage in Bursa. A scope has been determined that includes proposals for the conservation and re-functioning. The methodology is based on the observation and documentation of the buildings with their surroundings. An extensive archive search was carried out to find out the old drawings and photos of the buildings in archives such as Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Directorate of State Archives. Within the scope of this process, the electrical transformers were documented and conservation proposals were developed.

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the Chamber of Crown Princes (Veliaht Dairesi) located in the residential part (Harem) of the Topkapı Palace, the Ottoman imperial seat in Istanbul (Turkey), where the removal of later additions was discussed during its restoration in the 1960s. Based on the archival documents of Mualla Eyüboğlu, the architect responsible for the restoration of the Topkapı Palace between 1961 and 1969, and the resolutions of the High Board of Antiquities and Monuments, this study reveals a stimulating debate on the balancing of the preservation of historic document value versus aesthetic value. Ambitious to present the building in its original function and use of the space as a part of the imperial residence, Eyüboğlu decided to liberate the original building of all the later additions and tried to reinstate the building to its initial seventeenth-century state. The removal of historical layers was disapproved by some of her contemporaries, while others appreciated her aesthetic concern. The case is reviewed at a broader scale, opening up to and integrating similar discussions in European preservation theory in the 1960s.

ABSTRACT The conservation of the architectural heritage of twentieth century in reinforced concrete is a need that can no longer be deferred. The difficulty of intervening on a material that has been widespread since the first decades of the last century requires a careful evaluation to determine the residual strength as a function of the useful life. Furthermore, there are considerable problems deriving from the poor packaging of concretes, both for reasons of lack of technological knowledge and of a speculative nature, particularly in Italy in the post-war period. To these considerations on the vulnerability of concrete are added those deriving from the seismic as well as static risk. In recent decades, an important research has been developed and consequent production of high-tech nanotechnological concretes that allow an ever greater possibility of intervention to safeguard these structures. In this sense we describe the recovery of the Tower of Nations, one of the most representative buildings of the Mostra d’Oltremare, which is one of the greatest examples of urban and architectural intervention in Naples in the Fascist period.

ABSTRACT The current approach to retrofit has failed to deliver the promised reductions in energy use in the built environment, but it has exposed many historic buildings to maladaptation, and is threatening many more. This paper argues that the problem rests in a classic misalignment between the intentions behind retrofitting, and the means being used to assess retrofit options. Underlying issues include a poor understanding of how buildings were designed and operated before the Industrial Revolution radically changed our approaches to materials, construction, and use. This pre-carbon past still has much to teach us, with lessons that can be integrated with the best of the modern tools. But this requires careful planning for the long term, together with a much more flexible approach to modelling and assessment. This paper suggests a simple approach that might be used to unlock whole-life energy or carbon assessment, encouraging feedback and sharing of knowledge to achieve the rapid improvement needed to tackle the climate emergency.

ABSTRACT Two key benefits of building retention and adaptation, over demolition and new build are identified in the academic literature as: the conservation of heritage, and reductions in embodied greenhouse gas emissions from construction materials. A four-year research project, including expert interviews, focus groups and three detailed case studies, developed extensive data on how these benefits are considered in decisions to demolish or retain buildings within larger urban development sites. The research found that heritage and embodied impacts are considered quite differently. Heritage is frequently a key driver towards retaining individual buildings, whilstembodied emissions are rarely key considerations. Where there are insufficient arguments based on heritage value, many buildings are therefore demolished and replaced rather than retained. To reduce the impact of construction on the environment it is crucial that we calculate the embodied as well as operational impacts of demolition decisions and retain and refurbish buildings where this is the lower carbon choice. Using heritage arguments as a basis, this paper proposes that the introduction of policy drivers for retention and against demolition, and the conversion of environmental value into economic uplift, are likely to be necessary conditions to encourage the retention of buildings for lower whole life carbon.

ABSTRACT The mid-twentieth century was a period of architectural idealism and rapid technological innovation paired with unprecedented growth in construction and built square footage. As design movements became global and mechanical systems evolved to provide ready access to heating and cooling, buildings became less climate responsive and more energy intensive to operate. Architecture of this time also celebrated structural innovation and novel materials, which led to frequent integration of structure, envelope, and systems. These characteristics resulted in a building stock with typically poor energy efficiency and new material challenges for conservation. Rather than a justification to tear down these buildings and replace them, their vast numbers and significant contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions are reasons why mid-century buildings must be effectively repurposed to meet climate goals while respecting their history. With the imperative to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, reusing and upgrading these buildings provides a critical near-term carbon reduction strategy. This paper presents two case studies involving the reuse of undergraduate residence halls of this era. The first illustrates the substantial total carbon savings from restoration and reuse. The second proposes an analysis-based methodology for designing retrofits that optimize carbon payback of targeted interventions.

ABSTRACT The Mandala Agung at Puri Ahimsa displays the concept of ‘Architecture being non-architectural’ yet it remains based on Balinese culture. This paper reveals the forms of local traditions in the lay-out and preservation of these buildings in a qualitative-descriptive manner. The Balinese physical-social value system is revealed through sense-purpose-essence-awareness. The lay-out of Puri Ahimsa signifies Cosmic Balance through the harmonious relations between humans, God, and nature. Architecturally, Mandala Agung is a synthesis of the rice cone form and the openness of Balinese traditional pavilions (wantilan), applying the Cosmic Balance through space in forming harmonious relationships. Singling out the roof as the divine realm, the inner space is regarded as a human realm (Tri Loka concept). The semi-circular space with the doors in opposite directions signifies the balance of opposing forces. Natural balance and the Tri Hita Karana philosophy are maintained in the Puri Ahimsa lay-out. The shape and the openness of the wantilan are adapted to the Mandala Agung architecture, while the Nawa Sanga concept is adapted to the eight main pillars and the sky-light roof. Tri Hita Karana is maintained in the inner space, and the philosophy of Desa Kala Patra is concretised through its uniqueness for today’s activities.

ABSTRACTLegislation on architectural heritage protection in Albania follows the political and historical events of the country. In this paper, I will outline how ‘cultural monument’ concept evolves within the main Albanian legislative timeline in the cultural heritage protection field. The discussion will highlight how cultural monuments significance, from the early concept of ‘National Monuments’ at the dawn of the new Albanian State, to ‘Cultural Monuments’ conceived as people common heritage, have always had, and still have, a pivotal role in the Albanian cultural debate. Purged from the regime ideology, those notions reflect the concept of monument intended as the main outstanding material testimony of an artefact or a constructive culture or of its formal and technical evolution which cannot be preserved through passive constraints. Finally, following the years after the regime collapse (1992), the recent updating of the national law on cultural heritage protection has been a priority for the country and the debate is still open. Thus, the 2000s legislative framework, evolved since the post-communist period until present, should be considered in the light of the transition from the notion of cultural monuments to that one of cultural heritage paying attention to cultural values recognition process and significance.

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on the use of the photogrammetric method to obtain 3D model of artworks for their characterisation and conservation. The high-resolution reproduction of a piece of art allows both the identification of constituent materials, decorative elements and detailed features and its digitalisation and enjoyment and then enhancement. In this study the approach was applied to the polychrome marble altars in the crypt of the St. Sabino’s cathedral and in the St. Giacomo’s church, both in Bari (Italy), significant evidences of virtuosity of Baroque sculptors and of use and reuse of precious Roman marbles combined with more recent and local stones. For this purpose, firstly, a three-dimensional model and high definition survey were performed by collection of numerous photographs and their processing using photogrammetric method and digital survey software; in addition, identification of Roman marbles and other decorative stones was carried out in terms of lithological classification, provenance locality, the historical period of employ. Results, obtained through an inexpensive, fast and complete survey, allowed to produce a high definition representation of the altars for a complete mapping of used material and decorative features and to guarantee their conservation, sharing and enhancement.