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For past societies on the Iberian Peninsula, one of the most prolific architectures was earthen construction, with a wealth of typologies and solutions derived from the legacy of local construction and materials. However, its study within the field of archaeology has been limited. The challenges posed by conservation, archaeological identification and social recognition have traditionally limited the dissemination of this type of architecture. Its low profile is perceived as fragile once the original protections collapse. The ethnological information preserved and linked to past ways of life and societies is crucial to the interpretation of the cultural development handed down over generations by different communities and now transmitted to the general public through archaeological sites. This research aims to provide an overview of the main earthen vestiges from domestic, productive and funerary architecture dating from the prehistoric, protohistoric, Roman and medieval periods. For this, a bibliographical review and data collection through fieldwork were conducted for numerous case studies. These included the classification of materials, compositions and construction techniques, creating an integrated comprehensive database with information on geography, measurements and the general state of conservation.

Esta investigación aporta nuevos datos para la interpretación de la historia construida de los Pabellones de la Finca Güell, desde su construcción en 1884-1887 hasta nuestros días. El artículo clasifica y ordena la documentación existente en torno a este conjunto diseñado y construido por Gaudí en forma de fotografías, filmaciones, cartografías, levantamientos, proyectos, a menudo dispersa en diversas fuentes, y las contrasta con las observaciones de las catas realizadas durante la elaboración de los proyectos de restauración por los arquitectos autores del texto. La información reunida y cruzada de las diversas fuentes y confrontada con la realidad ha permitido la elaboración de una cronología precisa de las acciones llevadas a cabo en torno a estos edificios, detectando y corrigiendo incluso algunas fechas atribuidas incorrectamente a ciertas fotografías, lo que permite afrontar las obras de recuperación del conjunto con mayor conocimiento de causa.

Knowledge on the state of conservation and vulnerability of traditional techniques when faced with the most common degradation phenomena is vital in order to propose the most suitable conservation and maintenance actions. This article presents the systematic review of 1218 half-timbered walls found throughout Spain, enabling the identification of a total of 27 material lesions, classified by atmospheric, biological or anthropic origin, and 9 structural lesions due to stress or excessive deformation. Their qualitative and quantitative analysis has focused on the frequency of the individual lesions and the possible correlation with different constructive characteristics, such as the materials used, the geometry of the framework and the presence of plinths, eaves and protective rendering. Almost the entire sample presents some degree of material degradation, mostly atmospheric lesions of limited severity, such as superficial atmospheric erosion and chromatic alteration and dehydration of the timber. In terms of structural lesions, half-timbered walls are seen to be more vulnerable to this type of deformation. Considering the risk of loss affecting all traditional architecture, it becomes particularly important to promote the continued maintenance of half-timbered walls in order to reduce the influence of material lesions caused by atmospheric agents. Subsequently, suitable criteria for intervention are established in order to reduce the effect of anthropic lesions and structural degradation phenomena, particularly linked to a lack of maintenance and modifications of anthropic origin.

Archaeological sites constitute one of the main tourist attractions in the heritage offerings of most populations. Their ability to convey the ways of life and construction techniques of past societies through physical remains positions them as a culturally significant alternative for visitors. However, their physical conservation, essential for efficiently ensuring information with precision, poses a serious challenge for the various professionals involved, as numerous social and anthropic risks threaten long-term preservation for the enjoyment of future generations. Of all traditional building materials, earth is undoubtedly one of the most fragile and sensitive to loss in the absence of the original protection systems, so that a precise assessment of its threats is essential to minimizing the destruction of these non-renewable assets. The objective of this study is to evaluate the most determining human risk factors within the territorial scope of the Iberian Peninsula, including aspects such as its musealization, suitable interpretation, visit planning, agricultural land use, vandalism and rural depopulation. This is achieved through a literature review and on-site data collection from 85 archaeological sites, as well as the development of an analysis tool to assess the degree of vulnerability, aiming to develop prevention measures.

In geographical terms, historic cities possess an inertia in regard to the modification of urban function. This explains why buildings may change over time, but the location of the functions remains. For over a thousand years, the city of Valencia has concentrated the commercial activity of its historic centre around the building of the Lonja de la Seda, its surrounding buildings, and its adjacent spaces, streets and squares. Recent constructions coexist with centuries-old buildings, witnesses to the transformations of this urban enclave, which has retained its commercial function. Although the Lonja de la Seda was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996, its surroundings, despite being of interest and closely linked to the protected building, were not. This article analyses the history and evolution of the built fabric and urban spaces of this complex, which represents the nerve centre for commerce in the city of Valencia. This text presents research based on studies carried out directly on the buildings in this context by the authors, as well as indirect examinations of documentation from the archives and the existing bibliography. The aim of this study is to showcase how combining material and documentary studies can lead to a broader definition of the tangible and intangible values of cultural heritage. This, in turn, could lead to the comprehensive enhancement of the historic city, where historic residential fabric and notable buildings are merely manifestations of the process for the construction of the city.

Built heritage materials assessment is an important task for planning and managing future conservation works. The uniqueness of each historical building makes reconnaissance operations more complex and specific for every single building. In the past, visual inspection and invasive techniques were widely used to investigate surface materials. Non-destructive techniques (NDTs) such as multi-band photogrammetry and remote sensing can help to assess the buildings without any contact with the investigated objects, restricting the disruptive tests on limited areas and reducing the testing time and costs of the surveys. This paper presents the results obtained using multi-band images acquired with a low-cost imaging solution after interchanging several filters, and the application of the principal components analysis (PCA) to recognize different materials of a significant historical monument. The Serranos Towers, built between 1392 and 1398, suffered several interventions in the past that affected their state of conservation with the replacement of different materials. The results of the study show the usefulness of applying PCA to distinguish different surface materials, often similar to the original ones, in a fast and efficient way to investigate and analyze our heritage legacy.

This article presents a detailed study of the stately palace of the Villa Giusti-Puttini, a building that, over the centuries, has undergone repeated transformations since its construction in the first half of the 15th century. For the study of this palace, owned between the 15th and 17th centuries by one of the most important families in the city of Verona (Italy), the authors have followed a methodology covering indirect sources (documentary and bibliographical) as well as direct ones (the building and constructive techniques, architectural and decorative elements, murals, etc.). This study expands the information available on the building as well as expanding knowledge on the history of architecture of the Veneto villa as a defining architectural phenomenon in 16th- and 17th-century architecture whose extensive influence was still felt in the 19th century. The history compiled through this research also contributes to a renewed interpretation of the phenomenon, which is viewed as a process for the transformation and adaptation of a pre-existing building to fit the needs of any given period. This methodology, which could potentially facilitate the interpretation of similar buildings, and its combination of documentary, material, constructive, decorative, and cultural elements could constitute an example for the historical and architectural reading of buildings and are not merely limited to Renaissance buildings.

The intensity with which the phenomenon of depopulation has affected rural municipalities in Spain between 1950 and 2022 has led to a loss in the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge, values and customs. Sociocultural loss entails associated physical risks: the abandonment, demolition, and loss of vernacular architecture. This research analyzes the evolution of this type of architecture in a period of acute depopulation and its current state of conservation. A total of 180 case studies in the region of Comunidad Valenciana are analyzed through four factors affecting the physical vulnerability of dwellings: year of construction, state of conservation, type of use, and a combination of all three. Data management software is used to combine all the information and produce the results in a tabular and graphical format, while the Geographic Information System is used to draw up risk maps showing the results. These results are then divided into analysis groups created according to the degree of depopulation observed in the years mentioned. This made it possible to identify the relationship between depopulation and the conservation of vernacular architecture, showing the risk level for each case study, and thus creating an analysis methodology applicable in other territories affected by depopulation at a national and international level.

This article explores the ties between vernacular architecture, culture and identity in a context of sociocultural change in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The text addresses the loss of a collective cultural identity from a historical, socio-spatial and descriptive perspective. Beliefs and traditions act as a “social glue“ uniting societies around common values, goals and norms, whose disappearance could cause this society to veer off course or to even become fragmented. Fieldwork carried out further supports these data, showcasing cultural changes which are worsened by globalization and contribute to the erosion of common beliefs. Although challenging, this also provides the opportunity to reassess values in search of new forms of local identity and significance. The article highlights the fragmentation between tradition and the beliefs concerning settlements which had been introduced by colonization through an understanding of construction processes and their spatial logic. The transformation of socio-spatial dynamics highlights the challenges faced by the Amazon, as well as attempts to strike a balance between tradition and progresses, without neglecting environmental culture or integrity due to the pressures of globalization. Therefore, understanding the different relationship systems found within a given ecosystem can provide clues on how to aid their preservation.

Throughout history, dozens of epidemics have appeared cyclically, often causing devastating effects. Some of them, such as plague, cholera, and tuberculosis, have led to significant social, economic, and political consequences, with evident repercussions on cities and architecture. In this regard, urban planning has played an essential role in improving life expectancy and limiting the spread of epidemics. This work aims to study the influence of prevalent pandemics on architecture and urbanism over the centuries to comprehend their response and adaption to new health and social requirements. Through a process of investigation and in-depth examination of the literature review, it has been possible to understand the impact of pandemics in cities. The appearance of the first preventive measures during the plague period, the urban interventions to combat the cholera outbreak, and the neat architectural features adopted following the appearance of tuberculosis are witnesses to this process. Professionals and academics are reflecting on the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which will affect the practice of architecture and urban design. Thanks to the results obtained, it will be possible to reflect on the impact of the pandemic on contemporary cities, understand their potential resilience and hypothesise future strategies.

The Arab baths of Hernando de Zafra, popularly known as Casa de las Tumbas, are found at the intersection of calle Elvira and calle San Andrés in the historic centre of Granada (Spain). This article presents a thermodynamic study of the environmental operation of this complex of Arab baths, which has a furnace and hot, warm, and cold rooms, as well as auxiliary adjoining spaces and annexes. Computer models are used for the finite element analysis of the fluid dynamics for the process of lighting the furnace and subsequently diffusing the temperature, and smoke is expelled through the chimneys. The FDS software used—verified and validated by the NIST—processes the conditions for lighting the furnace and the thermal transmission of the generated heat to the different rooms in the building. This is the first case of this software being used for an analysis of the ancient Arab baths. The results show the global thermal behaviour, and the conclusions establish the temperatures reached inside the rooms and the thermal energy contributions needed to reach these temperatures.

The study of traditional habitats aims to recognise their values and preserve them within the necessary transformations of societies. In the context of Burkina Faso, the great variety of issues related to habitat together with the cultural richness of the country, resulted in a complex nucleus of knowledge, the unity of which had not been fully considered. With the objective of providing an integrated overview and identifying thematic trends of current relevance, the literature review involved the collection, comparison, and synthesis of works of different origin, scale, discipline, theme, and intention. As well as offering an orderly compilation, the analysis traces the history of the existing literature, revealing how its evolution mirrored the progress in vernacular architecture studies in international terms and adopted an increasingly practical approach. Furthermore, the review demonstrates the widespread academic and institutional interest in linking the development of the country to its cultural heritage, and the valuable documentation work resulting from this interest. Finally, a reflection is raised on the evolution of knowledge, its aspirations, potential impact, and usefulness, which could be of use also in other contexts.

Abstract For more than a decade, a wide range of Spanish case studies, relating especially to rural inner or abandoned sites and areas, have been analysed by the authors as part of different research projects linked with traditional and monumental architecture, conservation strategies and earthen buildings. On one hand the studies have been undertaken in the framework of a project concerning the conservation of rammed earth in the Iberian Peninsula, including criteria, techniques, results and perspectives and, on the other, by a project about the conservation and rehabilitation of traditional earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, providing guidelines and tools for its sustainable intervention. In all cases the researchers’ efforts focused on enhancing new perspectives and opportunities for rural earthen buildings, analysing landscapes, contexts, constructive features, decay and problems. The final common aim of this research is to stress these crucial topics to improve tangible or intangible opportunities for conservation strategies.

The former polis of Tall-as-Sin (in the current province of Deir ez-Zor, Syria) grew considerably during Justinian's reign in the 6th century AD. Its cemetery, outside the walls, presents an extraordinary Byzantine necropolis, where 163 hypogea graves were documented, thanks to recent archaeological campaigns financed by the Ministry of Culture (PAMES-Sirio Euphrates Middle Archaeological Project). This paper presents the research for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) models of graves, selected in the cemetery, by combining information (obtained from planimetric and photographic surveys of the site) with taxonomic features (types of arcosolia, vaults, accesses, stairways...). The 3D modelling process is carried out using data collected during the survey of the graves. These data are then used to restore the surfaces which cover the burial chambers dug out in the ground. The modelling technique was based on generating surfaces, incorporating the different sections and profiles obtained during the data collection phase. The surfaces generated enclose the volume of the dug-out space so that the definitive grave models were obtained using a simple Boolean operation, removing these volumes from a prism-shaped piece representing a portion of the land, thus emptying the interior. The result has provided a reliable and rigorous graphic basis for the design and printing of 3D mockups, contributing to the dissemination of the exhibition called "A retrospective on five years of archaeological activities in Syria". Highlights: • Contributing to Byzantine architecture classification in the Middle East, including specific case-studies, interesting both from archaeological and architectural research fields. • Experimenting and investigating tools for the study, representation and conservation of archaeological finds, combining 3D digital and 3D printing mockups. • Incorporating resources for promoting and disseminating archaeological and architectural heritage, raising awareness among local Syrian population and authorities, allowing them to rediscover their own heritage, often neglected.

Traditional architecture characteristically uses locally available materials to develop constructive systems and techniques, providing an optimum response to the needs of the population. This study focuses on half-timber walls as a traditional technique taking material form in a wide range of variants found mostly in the northwest half of Spain. Primarily aiming to ensure the broad objective of in-depth documentation, understanding, and study, the microscopic analysis of 24 timber samples obtained from different half-timber walls is proposed. This analysis aims to identify the species or species groups used and to establish a correlation with different aspects of construction including structural resistance, durability, and workability. This makes it possible to identify the predominant use of species found close to the locations from which the samples are obtained, using relatively resistant species for the structural elements of the half-timber wall, as well as the use of species with flexible and easily malleable branches for the construction of the enclosure panels. This indicates that, among the species available in a given location, builders have a degree of knowledge on the characteristics of the material, so they could choose the most suitable ones or develop specific constructive solutions based on these characteristics.

Este artículo presenta un estudio de la construcción con muros mixtos de tierra y madera a través del análisis de 289 casos repartidos por toda España. Las variantes identificadas han sido agrupadas en familias constructivas con características comunes, con el objeto de facilitar su reconocimiento e interpretación. En el capítulo de discusión, se destaca qué tipos de subestructura de madera y de relleno de tierra son más frecuentes y se observa el modo en el que se suelen combinar entre ellos. En las conclusiones se reflexiona sobre cómo esta combinación encuentra un compromiso entre sentido de la oportunidad y adaptación al contexto – características fundamentales de las construcciones vernáculas – y da lugar a la enorme riqueza técnica de esta arquitectura. Este texto supone un importante avance en el conocimiento de los muros mixtos de tierra y madera, fundamental para poder plantear estudios orientados a la protección, rehabilitación y consolidación de los edificios erigidos con ellos, tanto en España como en otros países con soluciones constructivas similares.

La relación entre arqueología de la arquitectura y restauración del patrimonio arquitectónico está reconocida desde hace tiempo. Tras una introducción inicial a la cuestión, este artículo presenta cuatro casos concretos de estudios, proyectos y obras de restauración y rehabilitación donde se refleja esta relación entre las dos disciplinas con variantes derivadas de las diferencias del patrimonio construido en cuestión como de metodología de estudio y planteamiento de intervención. El recorrido propuesto describe un abanico variado de las posibilidades de aplicación y respuesta a una intervención arquitectónica con mentalidad estratigráfica. Los casos presentados permiten extraer una reflexión sobre el crecimiento común de las dos disciplinas en los treinta años de andadura, donde cada una ha aportado a la otra una forma de mirar e interpretar, además de los avances científicos concretos que han venido a completar y enriquecer la visión.

Floods are natural hazards which have damaged cities and their architectural heritage over the centuries. The heritage town of Alzira (Valencia, Spain) is a major case study for the assessment of flood risk in architectural heritage. Alzira was founded by the Al-Andalus Moors on a river island within a bend of the river Júcar, which has overflowed more than 80 times during its history. The main aim of this work is to analyse the vulnerability to floods of the town’s architectural heritage, especially that of earthen architecture, a constructive tradition of which several examples can be found in the town. The proposed methodology attempts to calculate the vulnerability of the earthen architecture through the evaluation and weighting of extrinsic and intrinsic parameters. This makes it possible to identify the constructive characteristics and material weathering which worsen the behaviour of structures during floods. Maximum vulnerability values have been obtained for poorly conserved constructions without cladding. Results highlight the importance of ascertaining suitable strategies for the prevention and mitigation of risk as future lines of research. The vulnerability assessment methodology presented in this study could be applied to other case studies in other sites with architectural heritage under threat from floods.

A team of architects and experts from … has characterized and documented a couple of archaeological sites of Byzantine origin in Syria, settled along the river Euphrates, known as the cities of Tall as-Sin and Halabiya. The text figures out the surveys carried out from 2005 to 2010, the objectives and the methodology used and some results achieved during the years in spite of the recent civil war.

The restoration of vernacular architecture of a rural nature presents great dif­ficulties due to the contrast between the spontaneity, faithfulness and manufacture of this traditional architecture and the premeditated, semi-industrial and intellectualised character of a project and restoration. This article addresses an initial reflection about these diffi­culties, proposes a possible solution for the restoration of this rural architecture and illustrates it by means of a project for the recuperation of a dozen humble pre-industrial edifi­ces, not only attempting to preserve the faithfulness of their vernacular nature but also making sure not to turn the buildings into mere museum pieces.

La restauración de este puente y entorno medieval conservados casi intactos hasta nuestros días partió de la necesidad de pasar lo más desapercibido posible para no disturbar el aura mágica del lugar. En un paisaje genuino caracterizado por las fábricas de piedra en seco, en busca de la mayor discreción posible la intervención de reparación y puesta en valor debió recurrir a esta técnica para resolver los problemas que aquejaban al puente. La reparación del pavimento de guijarros del puente dio pie a una reflexión sobre la estratificación de los pavimentos históricos y la reintegración de las lagunas de un firme marcado por las trazas de la historia y los surcos de las antiguas carriladas.

La distinción otorgada en la última convocatoria de los premios Europa Nostra 2003 a un proyecto piloto para la recuperación de las casas tradicionales de una comarca valenciana remota e ignorada, ha elevado el patrimonio de la arquitectura vernácula a la misma cota de valoración que otros grandes monumentos europeos. A continuación, se presentan los antecedentes, planteamiento general del proyecto premiado, soluciones concretas, viabilidad económica y primeras acciones de restauración emprendidas en la rehabilitación de esta arquitectura planteada desde su propia esencia constructiva y estructural.

Desde hace dos décadas, el análisis estratigráfico se viene aplicando a las fábricas arquitectónicas con el objetivo del conocimiento y la formulación de hipótesis de periodos constructivos. Este tipo de análisis representa además un momento de reflexión para el proyecto de restauración arquitectónica. El análisis estratigráfico de la arquitectura brinda un cuadro abundante de los datos materiales que pueden ser objeto de conservación o eliminación según el criterio del proyectista, basado en su sensibilidad, conocimiento, intención, etc. El análisis estratigráfico no proporciona ningún tipo de indicación sobre la modalidad del proyecto más adecuada a cada caso y no es garante de la conservación de la información estratigráfica. Efectivamente, la elaboración de un mismo análisis estratigráfico puede generar proyectos de restauración completamente diversos. El objetivo del texto consiste en plantear los temas y las opciones proyectuales que se abren tras de la realización de un análisis estratigráfico de la arquitectura.

En el texto se presentan dos casos, muy diversos entre ellos, de aplicación del análisis estratigráfico constructivo. En el primer caso, el estudio de los Baños Árabes de Hernando de Zafra, el estudio estratigráfico constituía parte de un estudio previo más amplio y de un proyecto de restauración y recuperación de los espacios del baño, que podía proponer la demolición de una serie de elementos añadidos más recientes en el tiempo. El estudio estratigráfico tenía dos objetivos: por una parte la documentación de todos los elementos que se eliminarían posteriormente con la obra de restauración; por otra parte, la facilitación de la lectura de las diferentes conformaciones que el baño había tenido en el transcurso de su historia. En el segundo caso, el estudio de la Galería Superior del Patio de los Arrayanes de la Alhambra, el análisis estratigráfico constructivo constituía parte de un estudio más amplio, el estudio histórico constructivo. Este estudio fue desarrollado por un equipo formado por un historiador, un arquitecto técnico, dos arquitectos y un geólogo y se presenta como ejemplo de un estudio pluridisciplinar donde el trabajo se desarrolló realmente en equipo y no fue solamente el resultado de la adición apilada de diferentes trabajos.

En este texto se presentan dos casos de aplicación del estudio estratigráfico constructivo en los cuales se desarrollaron dos adaptaciones específicas ocasionadas por el caso concreto del edificio analizado. En el primer caso, el estudio del Santuario de San Juan de la Peñagolosa, la notable dimensión del conjunto conllevaba una complejidad de recogida y gestión de la información. Por esta razón, se ensayó una metodología de jerarquización de la información que permitiera una gestión de la misma más rápida y eficaz. En el segundo caso, el estudio de la iglesia de San Juan de los Reyes, además del estudio estratigráfico se realizó un estudio complementario. La misma técnica utilizada en el edificio (fábricas de machones de ladrillo y cajones de cantos rodados y cal) sugirió la posibilidad de realizar el estudio del ritmo de la distribución de los mechinales.

En la primera parte de este texto, se presentan los fundamentos metodológicos que los autores utilizan en la aplicación del análisis estratigráfico constructivo. En los últimos años, diversos investigadores italianos y españoles han desarrollado la metodología del análisis estratigráfico constructivo aplicado a la arquitectura. Los autores del texto siguen las líneas generales de esta metodología intentando desarrollar por su parte una serie de aplicaciones y adaptaciones específicas según las exigencias de los casos estudiados. En la segunda parte del texto, se presenta un caso de aplicación del análisis estratigráfico constructivo, el estudio de la iglesia de San Pedro en la Pobla de Benifassá. Se trata de un caso de un estudio general y completo del edificio que puede ilustrar correctamente la metodología general utilizada por los autores. Además, el caso permite reflexionar sobre el valor del análisis estratigráfico constructivo en relación con el estudio histórico-arquitectónico de un edificio.

En el texto se presentan dos casos donde la aplicación del análisis estratigráfico constructivo representó, además de la posibilidad de realizar una hipótesis de fases constructivas, la herramienta utilizada para el estudio de la materialidad del monumento (materiales, técnicas constructivas, etc.) y la guía para la realización de un proyecto de restauración y una obra más consciente de la materialidad misma. En el primer caso, el estudio de las Torres de Serranos, enteramente construidas en fábrica de sillería, la interpretación de los datos materiales implicó la combinación del método del análisis estratigráfico con criterios cronotipológicos. En el segundo caso, en la torre del Homenaje del Castillo de Cofrentes, además del análisis estratigráfico constructivo se realizó el proyecto de restauración. En esa ocasión se tuvo por tanto la posibilidad de reflexionar sobre la conservación de los datos estratigráficos como elementos fundamentales de la conservación de la materialidad del edificio.

The recent restoration of the emblematic Serranos Towers carried out by an interdisciplinary team of specialists was an excuse to delve into the history and masonry of the towers, from their initial building and use as a prison to the restorations works practised in the 19th century and subsequent repairs. The cleaning of the walls permitted a direct study of the masonry, which provided a great deal of information that complemented the rigorous historical investigation. The maintenance scheme planned for the future is an interesting proposal, where good sense prevails over improvisation, so often a reality in the restoration of monuments today.

El Santuario de Ise en Japón está formado por un conjunto de 109 templos con formas primitivas que, cada veinte años, son destruidos para ser reconstruidos en un solar adyacente. Este curioso fenómeno relacionado con el animismo shintoísta se viene repitiendo de manera documentada al menos desde el siglo VIII. El artículo trata de desvelar el significado subyacente en este proceso, descubrir las eventuales implicaciones y consecuencias de este peculiar trajín deconstructor y constructor en la disciplina de la restauración en Japón y Occidente, así como evidenciar las razones de la fascinación que despertaron las formas humildes de este santuario sobre algunos protagonistas del Movimiento Moderno.

Stratigraphy applied to the study of architectonic heritage has become a really useful tool for analysis, if not to understand the evolution of constructed fabric perfectly well, at least to know and respect each of the interventions that make up the monument as we see it today. This article presents a view of the fundamental elements connected with wall stratigraphy and illustrates them with different examples of studies performed on some historic buildings.