Conservation Of Architectural Heritage Research Articles

The role of fantasy in architectural heritage conservation – a systematic review

PurposeThis paper has aimed to systematically review the existing literature regarding the role of fantasy in heritage conservation, establishing a research gap and investigating the different facets of fantasy that contribute to a conservation undertaking.Design/methodology/approachThis systematic literature review adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model with literature from the SCOPUS-indexing database.FindingsThis review has indicated a lack of input from Eastern scholarship, the absence of quantitative research, the lack of discussion concerning fantasy within the architecture discipline and the lack of attention towards fantasy's role in architectural heritage conservation.Practical implicationsA better understanding of the role of fantasy within architectural heritage studies would improve conservation practice, specifically the existing cultural significance value evaluation framework and the management of stakeholders' expectations.Originality/valueThe present paper serves as a preliminary insight into the value of fantasy within the architecture discipline, allowing for more empirical-based research and knowledge to be added in this domain in the future.

Study on Methodology of Repair by Disassembly: The Case of Buyi Ethnic Construction Techniques of a Timber Granary in Guizhou Province, China

ABSTRACT Timber granaries are found in numerous ethnic minority settlements in the southeast and south of Guizhou Province in China. A timber granary is a unique type of vernacular building in rice-farming villages. Most of these granaries adopted the stilting architectural form and column-and-tie framework to provide a safe and cool inner space for the storage of grains, prevent rats, and enhance natural ventilation. This is a case study on the repair project of a timber granary in Yaogu village. The granary was disassembled into timber components and reconstructed for conservation, which is called ‘Repair by Disassembly’ in the east Asian tradition of wooden architecture. Through in-situ surveying, participant observation of the construction process, and interviews with local craftsmen, this study analyses the repair methodology and Buyi ethnic construction techniques applied in the timber granary. This work suggest guidelines for the conservation and restoration of similar wooden architectural heritage.

An assessment for the conservation mechanism of masonry architectural heritage based on material deterioration analysis: a case study of the Xuhai Dao Shu screen wall (Xuzhou, China)

ABSTRACT Materials are important carriers of historical information of masonry architectural heritage and can also directly reflect decay problems due to environmental factors during building use, which are key factors to be considered in architectural heritage conservation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the logicality and effectiveness of conservation mechanism based on material deterioration analysis. In this study, the Xuhai Dao Shu screen wall at the Xuzhou cultural relic building was selected as a pilot site. The research method involved the innovative use of orthophoto images derived in three-dimensional software for analyzing the materials and decay phenomena of the screen wall. The results indicated that there were five types of architectural materials and eight types of decay phenomena associated with the Xuhai Dao Shu screen wall, and through examination, corresponding conservation measures were proposed based on the specific deterioration causes with illustrations of possible intervention measures. This study demonstrated that the conservation mechanism identified based on material deterioration mechanism analysis, can aid in obtaining the existing material and decay information and formulating more pertinent conservation paradigm for preserving the authenticity of masonry architectural heritage.

Study on mountain Confucian temple spatial layout and landscape environment: an analytical study of Confucian temples in Southwest China during the 15th-19th centuries

ABSTRACT Taking Confucian temples in Southwest China as an example, this paper discusses the combination of traditional temple architecture in East Asia and mountain topography. Based on the fieldwork survey of 14 existing mountain Confucian temples in Southwest China, the paper provides the first systematic examination of the topographical influences on courtyard spatial layouts and landscape environment of Confucian Temple. The author discusses the topographical influences on the orientation and axis sequence organization of the Confucian temple. Then, the diversity of the guiding space layouts is explored by combining the theory of Figure-ground and Space Syntax. On this basis, the author takes the most representative “vertical interface” of the mountain Confucian temple as a point of departure for re-examining the plant configuration and water environment that match the mountain topography. The finding of the paper shows how to implement a set of mature building complex under mountain topography and create an amazing landscape environment in Southwest China during the 15th- 19th centuries. The work enriches the discourse in the study of the traditional temple in East Asia and provides the theoretical basis for the conservation of Confucian temple architectural heritage.

Exploration of a virtual restoration practice route for architectural heritage based on evidence-based design: a case study of the Bagong House

Architectural heritage is a testament to human and natural development, and the process of human social development can be glimpsed through the study and exploration of heritage. However, in the long history of human social development, architectural heritage is vanishing, and protecting and restoring such heritage is a pressing issue in contemporary society. This study applies the evidence-based theory of medicine to the virtual restoration practice of architectural heritage, which focuses more on scientific data-driven research and decision-making than does traditional restoration. Combined with the practice of evidence-based medicine, the stages of digital conservation of architectural heritage for virtual restoration based on evidence-based design are investigated, forming a comprehensive knowledge system consisting of clear objectives, evidence-based research, evidence assessment, virtual restoration-guided practice, and post feedback. In addition, it is emphasized that the restoration of architectural heritage should be founded on the outcomes obtained through evidence-based practice that have been translated into evidence, in turn creating a rigorous evidence-based system with high-frequency feedback. The final illustration of the procedure is the Bagong House in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The examination of this practice line provides a scientific, humanistic, and practicable theoretical framework for the restoration of architectural heritage and fresh ideas for the restoration of other cultural assets, which have significant practical application value.

The Cultivation Effect of Architectural Heritage YouTube Videos on Perceived Destination Image

A positive and robust destination image endows a competitive advantage. As architecture appeals to tourists, it may be helpful to improve people’s perceptions of a place’s image. Social media cultivates the destination image. This study focused on the interrelationship of architectural heritage and destination image and aimed to investigate the potential of architectural heritage YouTube videos in communicating and cultivating the destination image of Beijing. It collected and analysed 2237 YouTube videos in French and 25,234 comments related to Beijing’s architectural heritage in tourism. The social networks analysis found that viewers lacked interaction. The sentiment analysis via artificial intelligence findings demonstrate that most video descriptions (94%) and viewers’ comments (91%) had a neutral or complimentary attitude on the buildings’ heritage in Beijing. The keyword in context (KWIC) results found that when people viewed Beijing’s architectural heritage tourism relevant videos and were fascinated by the content, they associated it with China rather than the city where the architectural heritage was located. This indicates a cultivation effect on the destination country image of China. The significance of this study is to provide suggestions to improve a country’s destination image with YouTube via architectural heritage. It also raises the importance and social awareness of architectural heritage conservation and provides insights for policymakers on destination country image building.

Spatial Pattern and Transportation Accessibility of Architectural Heritage in Chengdu, China

Architectural heritage is an important cultural resource in the city, and its macroscopic spatial pattern and accessibility are important for the conservation of architectural heritage and the development of heritage tourism. This paper explores the spatial pattern and accessibility of architectural heritage in Chengdu by using spatial analysis of 308 declared national, provincial, and municipal cultural relic protection units in Chengdu as the object of architectural heritage research. The results showed that: (1) The distribution of architectural heritage was generally clustered, and the clustering areas of various types of architectural heritage differ significantly, with architectural heritage mainly concentrated in the central urban areas; (2) The integration value of various road networks connecting architectural heritage in the central urban area were significantly better than those in other areas; (3) The transportation accessibility index of architectural heritage in the central urban areas was higher, while the transportation accessibility index of architectural heritage in the surrounding areas was lower.

A study on the detection of bulging disease in ancient city walls based on fitted initial outer planes from 3D point cloud data

Bulging is a common disease suffered by ancient city walls, especially clay brick walls. Bulging affects or even threatens the stability of outer structures of ancient city walls. Therefore, accurate identification of bulges is one of the urgent issues to be addressed in ancient city wall conservation. In this study, a novel method is proposed for detecting and identifying bulge information using point cloud data collected from the outer surface of an ancient city wall. The non-bulging points are identified in the sliced point cloud of a city wall, and then the initial plane of the city wall is fitted more accurately with the aid of spatial constraints. Finally, the bulging damage is identified and extracted by comparing the initial plane with the original point cloud. This method was applied to the project of ancient city wall conservation and was compared with other existing methods in effectiveness and accuracy. The results show that the proposed method can detect efficiently budging disease in ancient city walls for architectural heritage conservation.

Analysis for Conservation of the Timber-Framed Architectural Heritage in China and Japan from the Viewpoint of Authenticity

The precious timber-framed buildings of both China and Japan have been preserved as heritage. Over time, the conservation and restoration of heritage in both countries have gradually matured. The restoration projects in each country are mostly guided by the documents promulgated by ICOMOS, which are followed as closely as possible in the actual restoration process. Nevertheless, the specific restoration projects in the two countries show a difference in their perceptions of authenticity, especially at the practical level. Therefore, this study intends to improve our understanding of the “authenticity” in the restoration projects of China and Japan so as to provide better guidance for practice. Therefore, this study firstly reviews the development of the conservation theory of authenticity in the West and East Asia. We then analyze the recent restoration projects of three typical study objects from China and Japan—Nanchan Temple, Foguang Temple and Toshodai Temple, which are all world cultural heritage sites—and conduct a comparison study to analyze the embodiment of the concept of authenticity in the actual intervention process. Accordingly, based on the analysis of comparative cases and documents, combined with the statistical results of the frequency of “authenticity” and “intervention” being mentioned in the international documents, we provide insights into the theories of heritage conservation in China and Japan.

Dynamic identification of the tabernacle of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Spello, Italy

The conservation of architectural heritage is a primary concern for the preservation of the cultural identity of a population and of the tangible proofs of historic architectural development. Architectural artifacts must be protected over time from all the threats that could derive by both the variation of inherent properties, as the aging of the constituent materials, and external actions, such as natural hazards and strong events, typically earthquakes. The preservation of architectural heritage against seismic events requires an in-depth knowledge of its dynamic properties, which can be affected also by local damages and material degradation.In this work, the experimental tests carried out on the tabernacle of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Spello (Italy) for the estimation of its dynamic properties are presented. The tabernacle has been built at the beginning of the 16th Century by connecting stone elements through internal iron bars, resulting in a multi-block structure with a complex dynamic behavior.An important role for the historical conservation of cultural heritage is entrusted to three-dimensional reconstruction of the built through the innovated techniques of Laser Scanner combined with UAV photogrammetry, that allowed to assess with a high degree of confidence the geometry of the built masterpiece.Ambient Vibration Tests (AVTs) were carried out using 24 accelerometric channels divided in three different setups; the procedures have highlighted the complex behavior of such systems. In order to verify any effects of non-linearity and motion in free oscillation, the tabernacle has been further instrumented through 8 displacement transducers and subjected to an increasing applied lateral force, highlighting a rocking motion due to the presence of hinges located at the base of the columns.The results, have highlighted the crucial role of diagnosis with a multidisciplinary approach in order to achieve proper decisions of interventions in the respect of the cultural heritage.

Methods of architectural heritage conservation in russian cities based on new digitalization technologies

Methods of architectural heritage conservation in russian cities based on new digitalization technologies

The need to implement Cultural Heritage Master Plans through the Building Information Modelling methodology

The Master Plans (MP) used for Architectural Cultural Heritage conservation require specific standards for the documentation process. They must facilitate the achievement of the intended objectives about the knowledge acquisition and conservation of the building assets throughout the entire building lifecycle. Over time, the documentation of an MP, once the heritage building is under use, tends to become dispersed and the documentation generated during the building use is rarely introduced in the MP. Therefore, this contribution has the following objectives: 1) study of the requirements of MP deliverables; 2) study of the maturation requirements of the documentation processes and deliverables that are generated when applying the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology to an MP; 3) investigate if the application of the BIM strategies are suitable to respond to the needs of an MP in such a way that knowledge and conservation of heritage buildings are achieved; 4) verify that the exchange of information and the collaborative work among the different disciplines that generate documentation and deliverables guarantee a single, comprehensive, open, three-dimensional, and clear repository.

The Conservation of the Architectural Heritage in Spain in the Interwar Period

Between 1919 and 1939, the conservation of architectural heritage in Spain underwent a radical transformation, in which it went from maintaining theoretical principles and a practice based on romantic historicism, to developing the innovative concepts of scientific restoration, coinciding with the international trends that inspired the Charter of Athens.
 In these twenty years, an alternative to historicist restorations was formulated, an innovative method of action was developed, a technical inspection and intervention body was created, and a remarkable action of conservation and restoration of the architectural heritage was carried out. This important development, however, was interrupted by the civil war, which between 1936 and 1939 devastated the country and which at its end gave way to a state action that used criteria closer to the historicism of the beginning of the century than to scientific restoration.

The evolution of museum culture in Botswana towards multi-layered architectural heritage conservation

The role of museums in Botswana has evolved from collecting ethnographic objects and exhibition development to architectural heritage conservation. This paper explores the evolution of museum development through case studies of the National Museum in Gaborone, a regional museum Phuthadikobo Museum in Mochudi, and a privately-owned Botswana Telecommunication Cooperation (BTC) Museum. The study examines exhibition practices in these museums by discussing the limitations of traditional methods of exhibition and argue in favour of a multi-layered exhibition method. Both the National Museum and Phuthadikobo Museum have now transformed into cultural institutions which now undertake architectural heritage conservation projects. These project are include the national museum project which re-creates three huts representative of vernacular architecture of different tribes which we argue is a heritage-making project. The Phuthadikobo community museum proposal for an open-air museum that conserves the existing buildings in-situ and addresses the intersection of heritage conservation, a sense of history, intangible heritage, and lived traditions. Situated within the debates on museum development and heritage conservation, the paper considers how museum development in Botswana could address the challenges of museum exhibition and the questions on heritage authenticity.

The Reuse Methods of Traditional Metal Hardware for Reinforcing the Structure of Korea Traditional Wooden Building

This study aims to provide basic data for actual heritage conservation areas by suggesting the reuse method of materials from wooden historic buildings. This research may contribute to an increase in the utilization of materials for stabilizing the structure of wooden historic buildings. The data were collected by applying heating, tapping, and heat treatment based on the pattern and extent of the damage of iron nails acquired from wooden historic buildings. To make a comparison before and after processing, morphological characteristics and physical properties were measured using a metallurgical analysis. According to these data, we can infer that the possibility of reuse of historic iron materials could be raised in the restoration process of historic buildings such as existing building components and roof tiles. If the research is to move forward, authenticity will be fostered in architectural heritage conservation.

How Valuable is Architectural Heritage? Evaluating a Monument’s Perceived Value With the Use of Spatial Order Concept

Spatial order refers to the perceived harmony, integrity, and completeness of the architectural heritage. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, this concept has not been used yet to assess the heritage. This paper aims to demonstrate a multidimensional assessment of the architectural heritage value, in its urban environment, with the use of spatial order concept. We used field survey and statistical analysis to evaluate an example architectural heritage—Warsaw Ochota railway station in Poland—in four dimensions of spatial order such as architectural, esthetic, social, and functional. We found that the value of the heritage varies according to the spatial order dimensions and depends on the urban environment. Our findings could be useful for urban development policy, especially spatial planning. In particular, we postulate the need to focus on place-based approach to formulating policies for the protection and conservation of architectural heritage.

Machine learning for conservation of architectural heritage

PurposeAccurate documentation of damaged or destroyed historical buildings to protect cultural heritage has been on the agenda of architecture for many years. In that sense, this study uses machine learning (ML) to predict missing/damaged parts of historical buildings within the scope of early ottoman tombs.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses conditional generative adversarial networks (cGANs), a subset of ML to predict missing/damaged parts of historical buildings within the scope of early Ottoman tombs. This paper discusses that using GAN as a ML framework is an efficient method for estimating missing/damaged parts of historical buildings. The study uses the plan drawings of nearly 200 historical buildings, which were prepared one by one as a data set for the ML process.FindingsThe study contributes to the field by (1) generating a mixed methodological framework, (2) validating the effectiveness of the proposed framework in the restitution of historical buildings and (3) assessing the contextual dependency of the generated data. The paper provides insights into how ML can be used in the conservation of architectural heritage. It suggests that using a comprehensive data set in the process can be highly effective in getting successful results. The findings of the research will be a reference for new studies on the conservation of cultural heritage with ML and will make a significant contribution to the literature.Research limitations/implicationsA reliable outcome has been obtained concerning the interpretation of documented data and the generation of missing data at the macro level. The framework is remarkably effective when it comes to the identification and re-generation of missing architectural components like walls, domes, windows, doors, etc. on a macro level without details. On the other hand, the proposed methodological framework is not ready for advanced steps of restitution since every case of architectural heritage is very detailed and unique. Therefore, the proposed framework for re-generation of missing components of heritage buildings is limited by the basic geometrical form which means the architectural details of the mentioned components including ornaments, materials, identification of construction layers, etc. are not covered.Originality/valueThe generic literature as to ML models used in architecture mostly constitutes design exploration and floor plan/urban layout generation. More specific studies in the conservation of architectural heritage by using ML mostly focus on architectural component recognition over 3D point cloud data (1) or superficial damage detection of heritage buildings (2). However, we propose a mixed methodological framework for the interpretation of documented architectural data and the regeneration of missing parts of historical buildings. In addition, the methodology and the results of this paper constitute a guide for further research on ML and consequently contribute to architects in the early phases of restitution.

INFRA REDable. Thermography for the diagnosis and conservation of frescoed walls: the case of the Templar Church of San Bevignate

The importance of research that addresses the numerous themes of architectural and cultural heritage conservation is a fact that has now been acquired on the national and international scene. The objective of the ongoing research presented is the study and development of infrared thermography as an innovative technique for non-contact, and absolutely non-invasive, investigations for the diagnosis of ancient masonry walls with specific attention to frescoes. In parallel, the devised technique is applied to a case study of very high historical value: the cycles of mural paintings of the Templar Church of San Bevignate in Perugia. Such architectural complex also houses a relevant archeological site which consists of a roman fullonica, part of the museum itinerary. Starting from the thermographic data, both the state of conservation of the precious painting and the seismic safety of the masonry Church – tied to the quality of the brickwork texture – are evaluated. The comparison among thermographic results and the outcomes due to a restoration activity of the painted parts, that took place on 2019 and that is still in progress, are highlighted.

Conservation conditions of school buildings as a modern heritage in the seismic context in Chile. 1937–1965

ABSTRACT The conservation of modern architectural heritage in seismic contexts must consider the analysis of more complex pathological processes than those traditionally associated with reinforced concrete deterioration. The behaviour of 21 school buildings built in Chile between 1937 and 1965 was comparatively analysed using the pathological diagnosis method. The documentation, in-situ observation, and measurements with non-destructive testing show that mechanical damages are more severe than physical–chemical damages. The levels and classification of deterioration are affected by accumulated damage due to the property's age and the characteristics of the architectural and structural design, which evolve from models of resistance by rigidity to flexible behaviour, which have lower levels of damages. In turn, the physical–chemical damage in the envelopes will depend mainly on the construction quality of the enclosures and the maintenance processes, rather than on the variation of the period's designs. An adequate pathological diagnosis of this architectural heritage allows the generation of appropriate conservation action guidelines to prolong the durability of these heritage works.

Self-adaptability and topological deformation of Ganlan architectural heritage: Conservation and regeneration of Lianghekou Tujia village in Western Hubei, China

The authenticity of architectural heritage is interpreted differently in diverse cultural traditions. Can this inspire the conservation and contemporary regeneration of architectural heritage to adapt to the changing needs of modern life and society, rather than static exhibits in museums? This research focuses on Ganlan (pile-built timber construction) architecture to demonstrate how adaptive conservation and regeneration can keep traditional construction systems living and sustainable. Ganlan, a vernacular architectural archetype in the humid subtropical regions of Asia, has the following common features: free plans with an assembling frame structure, open and interactive envelopes to cope with the hot and damp climate, and stilts to deal with the rugged terrain. This research employed a threefold method of field investigation, topological deformation, and experimental design in examining Lianghekou, a historic Tujia village in Western Hubei, China. The findings reveal that Tujia people build their stilt houses with adaptable features to meet the changing functional requirements and variable topographies. These traditions can be transmitted into the contemporary design, as our experimental design illustrates. The self-adaptability and topological deformation of Ganlan architectural heritage demonstrate a unique perspective of understanding authenticity, and contribute toward innovative application in the conservation and regeneration of vernacular architecture.