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Accurate documentation of the geometry of historical buildings presents a considerable challenge, especially when dealing with complex structures like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Valencia. Advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning has enabled detailed spatial data capture. Still, efficient handling of this data remains challenging due to the volume and complexity of the information. This study explores the application of clustering techniques employing Machine Learning-based algorithms, such as DBSCAN and K-means, to automate the process of point cloud analysis and modelling, focusing on identifying and extracting floor plans. The proposed methodology includes data geo-referencing, culling points to reduce file size, and automated floor plan extraction through filtering and segmentation. This approach aims to streamline the documentation and modelling of historical buildings and enhance the accuracy of historical architectural surveys, significantly contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage by providing a more efficient and accurate method of data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After an earthquake, legislation tends to permit the rapid demolition of damaged buildings, including the built heritage, for safety reasons, as was the case for many small historic centers after the 2016 earthquake in central Italy. A balance should, of course, be struck between safety and preservation. There must be a willingness to engage in continuous interaction with the various bodies involved in post-earthquake management, particularly in the preventive phase of the complex activities regarding the issues of the seismic vulnerability of historic built. The widespread historical built heritage in Italy requires fast and reliable assessment procedures that allow a large-scale evaluation of the vulnerability of historical buildings before a seismic event. To this end, a proposal is presented here for the inverse use of the protocol for the seismic vulnerability survey of historic centers by means of a system called CARTIS form, coordinated since 2015 by the Italian consortium of Seismic and Structural Engineering Laboratories (ReLUIS). This rapid assessment is compared with an equally fast method for constructing fragility curves, based only on the information available in the ReLUIS–CARTIS database, defining the relationship between the probability of reaching a level of loss of structural safety or a vulnerability index as a function of the seismic acceleration PGA and the ground orography. The methodology outlined could be considered to be progress in cultural heritage diagnostics on a large scale, considering cultural heritage to be the diffuse historical residential masonry buildings that form the historic centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2021, an EF-4 tornado swept through several Midwest states in the United States, with Kentucky being the worst hit. Among the impacted towns was Mayfield, KY, where the historic buildings in downtown suffered significant damage. In response to this disaster, the authors conducted a reconnaissance mission to digitally document the affected historic structures. This involved capturing a series of three-dimensional (3D) point clouds, providing detailed spatial data about the impacted buildings. The resulting data set includes both the original raw data and processed information, now accessible via the DesignSafe open-access repository. This paper outlines the data collection process for the impacted buildings, and the steps undertaken to process it. The final product of this endeavor are the point clouds generated for the historic building typology, which included 10 historic buildings and 2 comparable religious buildings. These point clouds serve as invaluable resources for further analysis, aiding in understanding a disaster's impact, and guiding restoration endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper examines the heritage value of construction documentation and processes via Virtual Reality (VR), with a focus on the Sydney Opera House (SOH). It underscores the importance of comprehending and documenting transient construction techniques for heritage valuation. Utilising VR, the study offers an immersive portrayal of the SOH's construction, emphasising its innovative methods, craftsmanship, and environmental challenges. The paper draws from the Digital Heritage Construction project, showcased at the Heritage Exposition of the ICOMOS General Assembly 2023. This project featured two VR simulations, developed through analysing 200 original shop drawings, historical photographs, and site minutes and reports. The first simulation illustrates the formwork systems used for the SOH's iconic sails, while the second elucidates the assembly methods for the precast vaulted roofs, including the operation of the telescopic erection arch and the installation of concrete segments. The paper examines the novelty of this approach through a survey conducted at the Heritage Exposition. Analysis of the survey's result reveals VR's effectiveness in deepening the appreciation of architectural heritage's intangible qualities, providing new insights into the historical construction processes of the building and their cultural significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical buildings should be evaluated for a different function than its original function, or it should be included in life with its original function. Within the scope of this study, the Santralistanbul project, which was designed with the transformation of Silahtarağa Power Plant, which sets an example for industrial structures that have been adaptive reused as a science, culture and art structure in Turkey, is examined. The Silahtarağa Power Plant, chosen as the sample area, has an important historical period in terms of being the first urban scale, coal-fired thermal power plant of the Ottoman Empire. Although its structural setup in the past was built on electricity generation, the idea of living urban spaces is maintained through the new functions given to historical buildings, taking into account the user-oriented arrangements and architectural approaches it offers. As a result of the literature review and field study, the data was obtained and the guiding qualities in the relationship between physical architecture and thematic formations were interpreted. The infrastructure that will provide a different perspective on architectural space readings, adaptive reusing and protection of historical buildings, determining intervention decisions and enabling the acquisition of necessary information for new sustainable designs has been constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education in the field of architecture represents an important but difficult task for the way in which we perceive the cities and the buildings in which we live. As a vocational profession, architecture must be taught and learnt through various applied methods, such as the case study method, which allow the students to deeply understand and properly apply the theoretical investigation procedures. This paper presents the results obtained after a multidisciplinary summer school, which was organised in Timișoara, the European Capital of Culture 2023, for a period of two weeks. The students involved were mainly architecture students from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning of Timișoara, but also there were several German students from sociology, anthropology, and town planning. The participation of the German students was possible due to a partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service D.A.A.D., based on a scholarship within the framework of the Go East Summer School program. The activities were based on a multidisciplinary investigation of a case study area, consisting of a group of historical buildings, in Timișoara. The students were organised in teams, and they did a detailed architectural-artistic, urbanistic, and socioeconomic analysis of the area, which allowed them to determine the multicriterial vulnerability of the investigated buildings. The vulnerability assessment was based on a procedure that was previously developed and published by the same author. Moreover, complete surveys and 3D models, both digital and physical, were obtained. The results indicate a medium vulnerability of the case-study historical buildings, but the general conclusions of the study were that the area is very valuable from an architectural-cultural point of view. The students were able to investigate the history of the buildings, the nowadays functions, and the conservation state, to talk with the inhabitants, and to better understand the entire process of assessment of vulnerability. The teaching and working methods that were used during the summer school were the lecture, the case-study assignment, the teamwork, and the brainstorm method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Materiały Budowlane is the property of Wydawnictwo SIGMA-NOT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Deception Island is an Antarctic Specially Managed Area that houses historically important sites such as the remains of historical wooden buildings. The impacts of fungal communities on wood in polar historical sites have been investigated, but little is known of the impacts of other eukaryote groups. In the current study we used high-throughput sequencing to investigate the diversity of non-fungal eukaryotic organisms present in wood samples from Whalers Bay. Four sites were sampled, and DNA sequences representing three kingdoms (Chromista, Protozoa and Viridiplantae) and four phyla (Ciliophora, Perclozoa, Chlorophyta and Magnoliophyta) were identified, representing a total of 43 taxa. Biscoe House Annex hosted the richest diversity, with 20 taxa, followed by the whaling boat, Biscoe House and the Hunting Lodge, with 16, 15 and 12 taxa, respectively. The most frequently detected sequences were assigned to the ciliate group Sporadotrichida, some of which are known to play a role in cellulose degradation. Among the Chlorophyta, the sequences detected included common taxa previously recorded, but the flowering plant data represented only exotic taxa, probably associated with human activity or airborne transfer. The use of high-throughput sequencing provided valuable data on communities associated with anthropogenically sourced and now decaying wood in Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bogor is a city in Indonesia with a variety of potential scientific tourism objects, such as historical buildings, educational institutions, and research institutions. Although its existence is always needed by various parties as a reference for learning, the object has not been managed optimally in an integrated system, so it does not have a significant impact on tourism activities in Bogor City. This study aims to analyze the variables that influence tourism planning and the pattern of relationships between actors to build a sustainability strategy for scientific tourism in Bogor City. This study was conducted using the Micmac and Mactor methods. The results showed six important variables for developing sustainable scientific tourism in Bogor City: infrastructure, tourism resources, promotion, investment, regulation, policy, and research and education institutions. Meanwhile, the Government, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Regional Council are important institutions/actors in the development of sustainable scientific tourism. This research provides an overview of the key variables and actor roles that are most influential on the success of tourism development in the future and provides a basis for policymakers to prioritize the development of a scientific tourism development strategy in Bogor City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the most recent climate projections, urban settings and historic centres will be affected by considerable increases in temperature extremes and heat waves as a result of climate change. For this reason, the issue of energy efficiency and indoor comfort in historic buildings has become a topic of major interest for the significant number of buildings in the national and European territories. The performance redevelopment of architectural heritage, particularly religious buildings, requires accurate design, through a careful assessment of the occupants' needs and the historic building's characteristics, to guarantee adequate levels of thermal comfort and ensure an indoor climate suitable for safeguarding the cultural asset. In this regard, the study investigates, through a data-driven approach and building performance analysis, the indoor comfort level of a religious building in the historical centre of Rome that presents phenomena of excessive indoor overheating. The objective is to identify passive cooling strategies, through the optimization of natural ventilation levels and reduction of surface temperatures of the envelope exposed to solar radiation, in order to propose different design scenarios. The results show how a data-driven process in a digital environment can significantly contribute to the identification of optimal and integrated design strategies and solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a methodology with which to measure the slight erosion undergone by valuable heritage pieces in a short period of time. The problems dealt with by our method concern the irregular (free-shape) geometry of the piece to be measured, the difficulty involved in achieving the fine registration required among different samples of the piece, the slight loss of material in a short period of time and the suitable definition of descriptors that will help to carry out a reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis. This document proposes a basic methodology that is able to tackle each of the aforementioned problems. An in-depth explanation of the degradation analysis has been carried out on a representative case study, including the qualitative and quantitative procedures employed. The results obtained lead us to believe that this methodology could be reproduced and applied to similar degradation problems related to old buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the seismic vulnerability of facades of historic masonry buildings is essential not only for their significant historical and heritage value, but also to evaluate the safety of this type of construction. This work applies a simplified methodology to assess the seismic vulnerability of the facade of masonry buildings in the historic center of Morelia, Michoacán, México. The historic center of Morelia was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. On the facades, there is ornamentation with sculptural and vegetal decorative elements. The methodology involved conducting visual inspections to identify the location, type of structure, construction materials, doors, windows, balconies, cornices, ironwork, pediments, niches, and sculptures, among other characteristic elements of colonial architecture. The seismic demands were determined specifically for the city's historic center based on a recent seismic hazard assessment of Morelia. Based on the methodology and the compiled database, characterized vulnerability indices were defined for the different damage scenarios that buildings may present. Results indicate that earthquakes with intensities greater than VIII on the Modified Mercalli scale risk collapsing heritage masonry buildings' facades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese historical timber buildings are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship. In China, there are various climates with significant fluctuations throughout the year. As some buildings are designed with an open style, many wooden components are exposed to environments with drastic changes in humidity, and the moisture content inside the wood may fluctuate significantly with the changing environment. To protect these architectural heritages from damage, here, numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the effect of periodic climate conditions on moisture transfer inside wooden components. Five representative cities in China were chosen for comparison, and the long-term variations and dynamic responses of moisture content to periodic climate conditions were investigated. The results show that the moisture content inside the wood varies from 5% to 20% across different cities and months. The plaster layer, made from a mixture of lime, hemp, animal blood, and tung oil, serves as a waterproof coating to prevent significant moisture gradients within the wood. It also reveals that the dynamic moisture response to the climate may pose threats to historical buildings. By analyzing the potential risks, such as mechanical properties, fungal attacks, and fire hazards, this paper provides suggestions for the preservation of timber buildings with different climates in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents selected results of the analysis of the comprehensive monitoring of the historical building of the "Sala BHP" in Gdansk. The necessity of monitoring was caused by scratches on its structural and finishing elements that occurred in the previous period. A preliminarily assumed factor that could cause the expansion of existing damages and the possible formation of new ones was the planned implementation of an investment consisting of the erection of multi-storey buildings on adjacent plots. As part of the preventive work, a comprehensive monitoring of the facility was proposed, consisting of geodetic determination of vertical and horizontal displacements of measurement points, measurement of changes in the width of existing cracks, and control of the height of the water table in piezometers located in the area adjacent to the „Sala BHP" building. As part of the technical condition inspection, the collected data was analyzed, and the measurement data was compared. In the course of the studies, no strong correlations between displacements and individual factors were observed, and thus the preliminary thesis on the direct impact of the investment carried out on the neighboring „Sala BHP" building on the formation of scratches was not confirmed. To confirm the conclusion that the current technical condition of the structure is a consequence of the typical operation of a building with a flexible structure, and most importantly, the occurring defects and damages do not threaten the safety of its structure and use, an additional analysis of the uniformity of the obtained displacements occurrence was carried out, using the transformation method for the purpose. The method shows the non-uniformity of the occurrence of the displacements of the control point network. The results of the analysis confirmed the previously formulated conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic brick masonry elements constitute the largest number of structural systems of historic buildings, especially sacral and public utility buildings. In the past, they were also very commonly used as a material for the construction of military facilities. Historic buildings and masonry structures undergo destructive processes over time, the course of which can be very diverse and depends, among other things, on the physicochemical properties of the materials, the type of structure, the age of the building, working conditions and random conditions and events. The paper is an engineering review of the causes of damage to masonry structures and indicates the need for cooperation between representatives of various specialties of science and technology, in particular architectural historians, specialists in the field of conservation of monuments, structural engineers and specialists in the field of geotechnics, geology, hydrogeologists and meliorators in order to ensure the protection of masonry structures in historic buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lime mortars are considered the most compatible material for monuments and historic buildings, and they are widely used in restoration works. A key factor determining the mechanical and physical properties of lime mortars is carbonation, which provides strength and hardness. This paper indicates the properties gained in lime mortars produced by Ca(OH)2 and CaO reinforced with different bio-fibers (hemp and lavender) when exposed to the natural environment and in accelerated carbonation. At 90 and 180 days of manufacture, the mechanical and physical properties of the produced composites have been tested. The results show that the carbonation reaction works faster in the case of hot lime mortars, increasing their compressive strength by up to 3.5 times. Hemp-reinforced mortars led to an enhancement in strength by up to 30%, highlighting the significance of bio-fibers in facilitating CO2 diffusion. This was also verified by the thermogravimetric analysis and the determination of the carbon content of the samples. Optimal mechanical properties were observed in mixtures containing quicklime and hemp fibers when conditioned with 3% CO2 at the tested ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spraying Bentonite NanoClay as an innovative idea satisfied an urgent need for conservation of historical brick constructions. This research explores the application of Nanotechnology as a Nano-Geotechnics (NaG) and Nano Ground Improvement (NGI) techniques for fortifying the mortar between bricks in historical buildings against some environmental erosive factors. Bentonite Nanoparticles were selected because of their compatibility with mortar. They were applied via Nano Spray to mitigate holes and cracks caused by erosion. Various percentages of bentonite NanoClay (2–10%) Spray and the number of times to spray on the mortar were evaluated. Validation through field emission scanning electron microscopy imaging (FESEM/SEM), X-Ray differaction and Fluorescence analyses (XRD/XRF), Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), porosity tests, water absorption time measurement, and weathering tests confirmed the efficacy and long-term stability of this method. The result indicated that double spraying of a 2% NanoClay solution proved most effective in reducing porosity, declining water absorption, and enhancing resistance to freezing and rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fact that historical-ethnic borders do not coincide with political borders, the divided ethnic structure that exists beyond the border and was built on historical conflicts that started in the 19th century, the national identity uncertainty created by the Romanian-Moldovan identity, smuggling, terrorism, economic-related unemployment and external migration, political regime preferences. The weakness in security and stability caused by the opposition are geopolitical factors that disrupt Moldova's territorial integrity. The conflict between regional and global actors has brought the territorial integrity problem of Moldova to the international level. While Moldova's economic impasse led to the idea of entering the EU and unifying with Romania, its desire to join NATO created a tendency to preserve its territorial integrity. Moldova's Gagauzia and Transnistria regions are other obstacles to its territorial integrity. Historical ties and the existence of Gagauz Turks also necessitate Turkey's Moldova geopolitics. The principle of impartiality in Article 11 of the Moldovan Constitution constitutes an obstacle to the resolution of problems by the parties. In the study, geopolitical problems that disrupt Moldova's territorial integrity are discussed in a historical- geographical context from the perspective of Russia-Romania-Ukraine-Turkey and EU-NATO. By looking at how Moldova was shaped in the historical context, historical analyzes on the future of the region and possible geopolitical solution suggestions and risks from a progressive and reflectivist perspective are presented. It was concluded that for Moldova's territorial integrity, there should be a multi-actor geopolitical solution, not a single-actor one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of gradual deterioration in the historical neighborhoods of Kashan, Iran, many historic buildings have now been repurposed as tourist facilities. This article examines the various actors and factors that have contributed to the urban revitalization of the neighborhoods in Kashan. Utilizing assemblage theory, this article constructs a relational, multiplex, and multiscalar explanation of the process of urban change. Rather than relying on the conventional understanding found in most existing gentrification studies, the aim of this study was to offer a localized interpretation of urban transformation processes. The research findings demonstrate that assemblages of human and non-human factors are shaping and reshaping the historical center of Kashan. Additionally, the findings suggest that the transformations of the historical neighborhoods of Kashan are not only due to the result of a single process but multiple urban processes occurring simultaneously within and outside the historical neighborhoods. These processes include heritage conservation (or requalification), incumbent upgrading, soft forms of revitalization, the initial stages of tourist gentrification, as well as suburbanization and urban sprawl. These dynamics are influenced by a variety of factors at political, economic, cultural, and legislative levels, operating at local, national, and global scales. We suggest that the assemblage approach can be effectively applied to study urban transformations in non-Western cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acoustics of historical mosques are essential cultural heritages that should be protected as carefully as their architectural features. The Pergamon Great Mosque is one of the few large-volume historical worship buildings nearby. Some researchers, especially historians, have studied this mosque. Since the acoustic comfort conditions of the mosque have not yet been studied, the analysis of objective acoustic parameters in the mosque according to ISO 3382 led to the study. The article aims to document its acoustics as an intangible cultural heritage and to analyze the current acoustic conditions of the mosque through background noise levels, T30, D50, C80, STI, and SPLA parameters. When the measurement results are compared with optimum values, it is revealed that the mosque is suitable for music functions. Moreover, the parameter values related to speech are also close to the optimum values. The reason for this situation can be explained by the fact that the renovations have not changed the original physical environment of the mosque. The SPL-A measured at the receiver points are close to each other (except for the women's worship area), and it is thought that the curvilinear forms used on the upper cover and the niches on the walls have a positive effect on the homogeneous distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the village institutes, which deserve to be on the agenda for the 100th anniversary of our Republic and which are at an important point in terms of our educational history. The importance of the village institutes in our country, each of which was carefully built as a result of organized architectural competitions and which were the pioneers of development and change in the region where they were located, should be remembered again. In this context, Pazarören Village Institute Campus, located in the Pınarbaşı district of Kayseri province, was chosen as the research area, which has largely preserved its architectural originality even after 84 years. As a result of this research, aims to draw attention to the preservation and transfer of historical buildings (the main building, dormitory buildings, cinema and theater hall, gymnasium, workshops, teachers' clubhouse, bakery, toilets, garage, lodgings, hammam and laundry) in Pazarören, which share the same fate with village institutes in many provinces today, to future generations. In the research, the status of the buildings by examining them on site, interviews with teachers who were educated in Pazarören, historical and architectural texts, scientific articles, and publications were used as data sources. In this context, 18 people educated at Pazarören Village Institute in different periods (1943-1968) were reached. Questionnaires were used to measure the impact of the façade and spatial features of the historical buildings on the campus on the people, and an evaluation of the façade and spatial features of the "Main Building", which is currently under restoration, was made within the scope of the Semantic Differentiation Scale (SDS). As a result, it has been observed and understood that the buildings in the Pazarören Village Institute Campus are not only effective physical features but also important elements of heritage that reflect the cultural memory and identity of the society. The findings of the research will help to emphasize the importance of Pazarören Village Institute, which is a valuable example of Republican period educational buildings on the path of modernization and enlightenment, to protect its cultural and social value, to repair and re-function old buildings, and to revitalize the region by introducing it closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of current risks and environmental impacts, HBIM (historic building information modeling) offers a highly efficient and interactive method for managing historical data and representing the current states of ancient clay structures. In this study, traditional geodetic techniques were employed to digitally locate a structure without compromising its topographic information to create an accurate model. Tools such as total stations, GNSS receivers, and UAVs were utilized to generate detailed topography of the study site and its surroundings. An ontology-based data management structure was also developed to store historical data and site intervention projects, adhering to the ISO 12006-2 standard. This was achieved through automated scripts in Dynamo softwarev.2.18.1. A comparison between the point cloud (279 images) and total station data (600 points) revealed a georeferencing accuracy difference of +/−0.003 m. Consequently, the developed methods can effectively represent similar structures digitally. The proposed ontological structure facilitates automated storage of internal and external information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural property includes immovable assets that are part of a nation's cultural heritage and reflect the cultural identity of a people. Hence, information about armed conflict's impact on historical buildings' structures and heritage sites is extremely important. The study aims to demonstrate the application of Earth observation (EO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, and in particular Sentinel-1 SAR coherence time-series analysis, to monitor spatial and temporal changes related to the recent Russian–Ukrainian war in the urban areas of Mariupol and Kharkiv, Ukraine. The study considers key events during the siege of Mariupol and the battle of Kharkiv from February to May 2022. Built-up areas and cultural property were identified using freely available OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. Semi-automated coherent change-detection technique (CCD) that utilize difference analysis of pre- and co-conflict coherences were capable of highlighting areas of major impact on the urban structures. The study applied a logistic regression model (LRM) for the discrimination of damaged and undamaged buildings based on an estimated likelihood of damage occurrence. A good agreement was observed with the reference data provided by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) in terms of the overall extent of damage. Damage maps enable the localization of buildings and cultural assets in areas with a high probability of damage and can serve as the basis for a high-resolution follow-up investigation. The study reveals the benefits of Sentinel-1 SAR CCD in the sense of unsupervised delineation of areas affected by armed conflict. However, limitations arise in the detection of local and single-building damage compared to regions with large-scale destruction. The proposed semi-automated multi-temporal Sentinel-1 data analysis using CCD methodology shows its applicability for the timely investigation of damage to buildings and cultural heritage, which can support the response to crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lambeth Palace Library's new purpose‐built premises were opened in 2021, uniting the collections previously held in the historic buildings at Lambeth (including the manuscript collection, papers of the archbishops of Canterbury, and holdings of early and modern printed books), and the extensive archives of other central Church bodies (including records of the Ecclesiastical/Church Commissioners) formerly held at the Church of England Record Centre. Together the collections encompass a wealth of information from the medieval to the modern period, which continue to develop as more material is added to the Library's holdings. The collections document the history of the central Church of England, but also support research into a multitude of other topics alongside this. The building will enable better preservation of the collections and provides expansion space for their development. It also presents greater opportunities to enhance access than was possible in the historic premises, via its Reading Room, exhibition area, and other spaces for public events, building on the Library's purpose originated at its foundation in 1610. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges posed by conserving historical earthen structures in seismic-prone regions prompted the initiation of the Seismic Retrofitting Project (SRP) by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Since 2009, the SRP has aimed to enhance the structural performance and safety of historic earthen buildings while preserving their historical fabric by combining traditional techniques, local materials, and technical expertise with advanced computational tools. The project has focused on four Peruvian earthen buildings as case studies, including the seventeenth-century adobe church of Kuñotambo. An intervention was carried out between 2016 and 2019 by the regional branch of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco based on techniques developed by the SRP. The GCI is now working on a monitoring and maintenance plan for the site, collaborating with local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture of Peru in Cusco, the Archdiocese of Cusco, and the community of Kuñotambo. This paper primarily discusses the practical aspects of on-site monitoring, including the tools and techniques used to track changes in the building and its decorated surfaces. It also outlines the implementation of a structural health monitoring system and the development of capacity-building activities for Latin American engineers. The overarching goal is to provide a sustainable framework for the long-term preservation of historic earthen structures in seismic-prone regions, highlighting the importance of community involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To create a resilient environment, adaptive reuse of old buildings is becoming rampant through renovation, restoration, or refurbishment. Although such efforts bring advantages by preserving heritage assets while accommodating current needs, the challenges involved in this type of project are compelling. Therefore, this study is focused on assessing the risk level of common challenges in historic building renovation and restoration projects. By conducting a survey of industry practitioners, this study identified that the common challenges have a higher average frequency than their corresponding severity rankings. Also, the survey responses indicated schematic design estimates should include the highest contingency. This study has contributed to the body of knowledge in the adaptive reuse of buildings and risk management research domain by revealing the risk level of challenges in historical building renovation and restoration projects. Moreover, this study allows industry practitioners to better manage this type of project by understanding the relative frequency and severity of common challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reggae music, a genre that was created in Jamaica in the late 1960s, has become popular across the globe for promoting positive representations of Ethiopia and Africa due to reggae's connections with the Rastafari movement. Ethiopian reggae musicians, through their interactions with Rastafari, have served as cultural ambassadors for a type of pan-Africanism that incorporates elements of Rastafari beliefs and promotes transatlantic solidarity. Some Ethiopians who emigrated have encountered Rastafari and reggae music while living outside of Ethiopia. Some Rastafari have left the Western world behind to repatriate to Ethiopia, believing it to be their homeland and Promised Land, leading to opportunities for cultural exchanges within Ethiopia. Ethiopian musicians work across cultural and linguistic barriers to engage with Rastafari and pan-Africanism through their social interactions and approaches to reggae performance conventions while navigating differences in worldviews. Based on ethnographic research with reggae musicians in Ethiopia, I argue that Ethiopian musicians use different composition and performance techniques to narrate and build on the historical connections between Ethiopia, Jamaica, and Rastafari in ways that articulate and promote a type of transatlantic solidarity informed by pan-African discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventh-grade students engaged in a guided historical inquiry about slavery, freedom, and unfreedom. The teacher carefully intertwined historical content, close reading, critical thinking, and text-based writing—both extemporaneous and refined—during Social Studies. Students scrutinized primary sources to build their historical schemas over the course of a week. They then engaged in the writing process during a week-long assessment. Students formulated emerging historical understandings through extemporaneous text-based writing, which were later used to draft, revise, and resubmit evidentiary and narrative essays. Findings revealed disparate degrees of criticality, complexity, and clarity between narrative and evidentiary essays. Teachers and researchers can gain rich, nuanced understandings from close examinations of students' reading, thinking, and revised writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streets and buildings that become inactive within the historical texture of cities can be restored to the district through rehabilitation projects and color designs, which encourage urbanites to use them more actively. Such spaces are especially important for urban memory, yet they risk losing their integrity over time due to uncontrolled development. Therefore, making them available for urban use is important for socio‐cultural and economic development. This study involves the application, under a rehabilitation project, of a holistic approach to façade color design for buildings located on two streets in the center of Adana, a city in southern Turkey that dates back to the Common Era. The study began with collecting color samples from the area as part of environmental color analyses, after which the colors of the samples were measured. In line with the environmental characteristics that affect color perception, a range of colors with Munsell's equivalent value and hue contrast was considered appropriate for application to the facades of buildings in the Kayalıbağ neighborhood. In the color design, five different hues with high‐value (light) and low chroma were selected to increase the attractiveness of the historically and archeologically highly significant district. The aim of the color design was to increase the livability and attractiveness of the district, while not overshadowing the cultural qualities of the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professor Richard Fawcett, a renowned expert in Scottish medieval church architecture, passed away on October 31, 2023. Throughout his life, Richard had a deep passion for architecture and a keen eye for detail. He dedicated his career to the study and preservation of historic buildings, working for organizations such as Historic Scotland and the University of St Andrews. Richard's contributions include his magnum opus, "The Architecture of the Scottish Medieval Church, 1100–1560," and his work on the Corpus of Scottish Medieval Parish Churches. He will be remembered for his knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to his field. [Extracted from the article]

Previous studies have shown a strong correlation between people's positive perception of functions for adaptive reuse buildings with their historical compatibility. With the growing significance of adaptive reuse in the MENA region, an investigation of three case-studies in Cairo was undertaken to uncover (1) the different typologies of function interventions, (2) people's perception of functions in conjunction with their façades and relevance, (3) enhance the design-making process to incorporate people's perception prior to conservation practices. An interpretive study with a purposive sample for survey and semi-structured interviews was conducted in Cairo followed by enhancing a decision-making process for people's inclusion. The three case-studies were selected to represent different interventions of adaptive reuse: Bayt El-Kretliya, a medieval courtyard house becoming a museum; Consoleya Building, the French Consulate in colonial Egypt during the 1930s becoming co-working space; Dar El-Kotob, governmental institution in late 19th century becoming a contemporary museum and library archives. People's perception to Dar El-Kotob's inner-functions was the highest due to a number of issues: (1) a hybrid combination of insertions, installations and intervention, (2) the building's new narrative aligns with the original function, (3) affordability of access. Based on the investigation, four aspects are key to people's perception of adaptive reuse buildings (1) harmony, (2) relevance, (3) evolutionary. An enhanced decision-making process for developing inner-functions of adaptive reuse buildings has been introduced incorporating the four issues of research contribution for future application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ancient China, the Confucius temple was a place to worship and spread Confucianism. Nowadays, the renovations and restorations of Confucius temples are deployed on different levels. Researching the temples promotes the protection and development of Confucianism and traditional culture. Recording cultural heritage is a tool used to aid in preservation; this paper explores Confucius temples' spatial elements, architectural layout, and evolution. Through the HBIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) tool, the paper examines case studies of Confucius temples in Qufu and Beijing that are protected at different levels. The study's results strengthen the digital presentation of the structure and hierarchy of ancient Chinese society, thus finding a foundation in theory and practice for further research of Confucius temples worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite offering new possibilities for the education, interpretation, preservation, and management of cultural assets, virtual heritage still demands more consistent theoretical-practical debates. Under the scope of developing historical buildings' virtual models, the level of detail (LOD) is defined as a parameter that directly affects workflows, requiring time, investments, and specialized professionals. This work investigates how different LOD configurations influence the construction and interpretation of three-dimensional models of historic buildings. To this end, five 3D models with different LODs of a historic building in Brazil were set in an exploratory study that addressed users' perceptions when experimenting with them from a phenomenological perspective. The goal was to identify which elements and LOD configurations of the model were preponderant. The experiment was performed through an online workshop, where first-year architecture students could virtually experience the 3D models created, comparing them to a movie of the existing building. Participants were divided into five groups, one for each proposed LOD, and described their experiences through reports that were then analyzed, considering a list of themes emerging from their speeches. The findings underwent statistical analysis to understand how different themes and videos were linked. The experiment findings showed that (1) the 3D models with higher LODs led to more comprehensive comments on the architecture of the building and (2) elements such as the building's surroundings, the humanization of the scenery, and the temporal depth of the 3D models should be considered in the virtual reconstruction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of heritage sites is fundamental to their conservation and sustainability, and more broadly, it contributes to the preservation of the environment. This article highlights the conservation plan developed for one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Algerian context: the M'Zab Valley in Ghardaïa. It has managed to preserve its specific character over the centuries thanks to the management operations that have been necessary for its continuity. The main question of this study is what are the management actions adopted in the M'Zab Valley with regard to the Ksourian architectural heritage to ensure its sustainability? Given the exploratory nature of this research, we chose a qualitative and inductive method. The study is based on a combination of several investigative tools: interviews, observations and photographs. The aim of the article is to highlight the efforts made by the Algerian public authorities and the local community to implement cultural heritage management measures in a particular context. The results of the analysis reveal, first, that the implementation of the permanent plan for the safeguarding and enhancement of the protected sector of the M'Zab Valley has proven itself in the preservation of monuments, sites and historic buildings, but also all the contexts associated with the daily life of people. Second, the rehabilitation operations of the historic ksour shall ensure the authenticity of the buildings and their integrity with the environment will be kept while adapting them to the current needs of users. Third, the combination of efforts between public institutions, the Office for the Protection and Promotion of the Valley of M'Zab, the local community and associations avoided the weakening of traditions and ancestral values through awareness missions, heritage education programmes, the application of heritage laws and regulations, and scientific and historical documentation of local heritage. Finally, the involvement of the local community in all operations on their local heritage ensures the transfer of local knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many traditional villages have been degraded to a certain extent due to urbanization and out-of-control management. In addition, due to the lack of recognition and continuation of spatial texture in some village conservation and planning that, in turn, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their distinctive landscape feature. Studying the spatial form of traditional villages helps preserve the authenticity of traditional villages as cultural landscape and inherits traditional historical characteristics. Using Puping Village in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province as an example, this paper obtains the integrated information data of the village through UAV oblique photography, classifies and extracts the spatial constitution of the traditional village using digital technology, quantitatively analyses it from macroscopic to microscopic, and summarizes the spatial morphology analysis method of the traditional village. The results demonstrate that digital technology can effectively and accurately complete data collection and can provide an objective basis for zoning conservation of traditional villages based on the distinction between new and historic buildings. In addition, digital information collection on the traditional villages landscape features will prepare for the establishment of a database and comparative analysis in the future. We further suggest that digital technology analysis needs to be combined with traditional methods to have a deeper understanding of the formation process of village spatial morphology. The results of the practice in Puping Village show that the use of digital technology can provide a scientific basis for the protection and planning of traditional villages, and that this method is adaptable, which can help to efficiently collect and analyze data on landscape characteristics of other similar villages in China, and support innovative methodologies and technologies for China's rural revitalization efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Stockholm Public Library was realized in two distinct phases of construction in the 1920s and early 1930s, and remains a well-known work in twentieth-century architecture, with a heritage status today. While previous studies have focused on the library's architectural design, particularly its lighting, acoustics were also an important aspect of the building's design and construction. This study marks the first detailed investigation of the library's architectural acoustics, with a suite of standard measurements performed to assess and characterize the library's historical room and building acoustics. Reverberation time measurements in the library's reading rooms yielded results of about 1.5–2 s for frequencies associated with speech. A significantly longer reverberation time of 5–6 s was measured in the library's central rotunda, confirming a prominent acoustic issue in the library, where appropriate heritage discussions are needed in the future as the library undergoes a major renovation in the coming years. A comparison of the measured airborne and impact sound insulation of the 1920s and 1930s reading room ceilings also yielded interesting results. While the materials in library's two construction periods are notably different, the airborne sound insulation performance of the 1920s and 1930s floors or ceilings was comparable and in line with contemporary standards. Impact sound insulation results from the 1920s and 1930s floors, however, differed significantly, with the latter displaying a relatively poor performance. Flanking transmission effects related to historical construction details and deviations from archival plans were investigated and discussed. This work emphasizes the practical and academic importance of conducting on-site measurements, and the close mutual development of modern architecture, construction, and architectural acoustics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South Architecture / Nanfang Jianzhu is the property of South Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There are a large number of historical buildings in the world, but many of them are seriously damaged. A fundamental task to revitalize them is to record their details and redraw them, but it is a highly inefficient task. This paper aimed to create three-dimensional (3D) models automatically for those damaged historical buildings while respecting the 1964 Venice Charter, the ICOMOS recommendations, and local ordinances. After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of various measurement tools, we implemented a machine learning algorithm, the residual 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) method, to combine heterogeneous data from multiple sources including a 3D laser scanner, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a total station, and a camera, in a historical building information model (HBIM) to increase its accuracy. Those data, preprocessed by four steps including data registration, reducing noises, filtering data, and data integration, were trained and fused in a 3D CNN model, which consisted of one input layer, five 3D convolutional and pooling layers, and two connected layers. A Shanghai historical building conservation project was taken as a pilot case to verify its productivity and accuracy in developing the HBIM, on which the architectural features were thoroughly recorded, and the damaged details were recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of PLANARCH - Design & Planning Research is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urban street space is a significant component of urban public spaces and an important aspect of people's perceptions of a city. Jinan Old City exemplifies the balance between the supply of and demand for green spaces in urban streets. The sense of comfort and the demand level of street spaces are measured via the space demand index. Open platform data, such as those from Baidu Maps and Amap, are evaluated using methods including ArcGIS network analysis and Segnet semantic segmentation. The results obtained from such evaluations indicate that, in terms of the green space supply, the overall level for Shangxin Street in Jinan is not high. Only 24% of the selected sites have an adequate green space supply. The level on Wenhua West Road is higher than that on Shangxin Street. The block on the western side of Shangxin Street has the highest green space demand, with a decreasing trend from west to east. There are several higher selection points in the middle section of Shangxin Street. The demand is lowest in the middle of Wenhua East Road. Shangxin Street's demand is higher than that of Wenhua West Road. The supply and demand are highly matched on Wenhua West Road and poorly matched on Shangxin Street, with 44.12% of the area in the "low supply, high demand" quadrant. This study proposes targeted optimization strategies based on supply and demand, thereby providing research ideas and methods for urban renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A study reviewing overheating in historic buildings in the context of extant climate change. Due to global warming, more research is required when considering summertime thermal comfort in the UK, which is a more significant topic of conversation due to the heatwave in 2022. With a large demographic of the UK population residing in dwellings with historic value, this paper aimed to contribute findings that review their specific traits with respect to overheating. This was achieved by monitoring and analysing internal (and external environmental data) in three case studies in the south-east. Upon examination of the literature, many buildings in the UK are consistently subject to temperatures that exceed overheating. It was found that many properties of historic buildings lend themselves to summertime cooling such as higher thermal mass, better ventilation (without the use of mechanical or active systems), and less insulation. This, however, could come at the cost of winter thermal comfort. In all three case studies, the surveyed buildings passed the CIBRE criteria, but users still commented on being 'too hot'. The high recorded RH levels in all properties, coupled with the inadequate overheating criteria, were deemed the cause. There are new regulations in place to minimise overheating in new buildings but no support for those that are already existing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article examines the afterlives of state classificatory categories in everyday engagements between state and society. It examines how a community of cultivators in eastern and central India, the Kudmi-Mahatos, have reshaped their group identity through categories of the state. They have oscillated between not wanting to be labelled as “tribal” by the colonial state to seeking to be recognised as “Scheduled Tribes” by the post-colonial state. Using ethnographic and historical methods, this article investigates the shifting claims of the Kudmi-Mahatos with respect to “tribal” status. It argues: (i) that communities use state categories of classification to remake their identities vis-à-vis both the state and other communities they live with; and (ii) tribalisation as a strategy of claiming recognition reworks the tribe-caste continuum in India. The article builds on historical and anthropological scholarship that looks at political contestations over classification in modern states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical buildings carry the key technologies and practical values throughout the development of architectural heritage. Investigating the restoration techniques for historical buildings under various forms of damage is an essential step in the conservation and utilization of these structures. Utilizing Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) as the primary databases, this study employs the PRISMA methodology to search and screen relevant research literature. A comprehensive review of the retained literature is conducted, analyzing publication trends, co-citation networks of authors and keywords, among other characteristics. To enhance the visibility of restoration techniques, three-dimensional modeling diagrams are created using actual case information of material or component damage as a reference, thereby increasing the referential value of the review content on historical building restoration techniques. The study provides a thorough review of over 30 restoration techniques corresponding to 9 types of damage from the perspectives of historical building walls and wooden components. Additionally, new materials or technologies mentioned in the retrieved literature are categorized; for instance, in the context of moisture-proof treatment for brick masonry, traditional methods are explained, and new research on electrochemical desalination and lipid-based waterproof materials is discussed and evaluated. Finally, given the multifaceted value and the variable mechanisms of damage in historical buildings, an analysis of the restoration process and techniques reveals that the restoration of historical buildings is a complex interdisciplinary process. The development and implementation of restoration plans should adhere to the principles of cultural relic protection to ensure their reasonableness and effectiveness, while also considering sustainability and environmental adaptability to protect and reuse historical buildings, thus leveraging their cultural and historical values. Moreover, the advancement of restoration techniques for historical buildings in the future should be based on the inheritance of traditional craftsmanship and materials, while also integrating new technologies, materials, and concepts to enhance the applicability and efficiency of traditional techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The strength of historical buildings built in different centuries with various materials and construction techniques and harboring many structural problems depends on the structural system, geometrical condition, and material properties. Sungurlu clock tower, whose system and geometry are in good condition, has been damaged under environmental and climatic effects, earthquakes, and other loads, and has survived to the present day by preserving its structural integrity to a great extent with the repairs it has undergone. Methods: In addition to static analysis, the robustness and durability of the design of the tower were tested by dynamic analysis with the SAP2000 program. In the model that will represent the actual system behavior of the tower, the lengths of the elements; nodal points; bearings; joints; shapes such as bars, shells, and plates; characteristic values of the materials to be used; as well as the system, element sections, and all loads and combinations of masses or dynamic forces acting on the system are defined. Results: In the reports presented visually, the moment, shear force, axial forces, and other forces to which the tower was exposed after the architectural and structural problems were eliminated were seen in a diagram. Since the effects of the damage could not be predicted, in this study, to measure the reaction of the building against earthquakes and other loads, the numerical model representing its original condition was prepared and analyzed according to the theoretical method and assumptions made by the restitution, survey, and static observation reports. Conclusions: With this program, which allows for the preparation of this model, it was concluded that the loads coming to the structure according to the principles of ductility, rigidity, and strength could be safely transferred to the ground without causing damage to the structural system and its elements. From the deformation, stress, velocity, acceleration, and reaction force graphs obtained, it was understood that the tower exhibited the expected structural behavior under its own weight and live loads. The stress and reaction force graphs showed that the structural materials are adequate for the resistance of the structure and system against the existing loads and possible earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid urbanization in Malaysia, human activities have caused damage to many waterfront areas. Efforts are being made to restore the connection between the community and river waterfronts while creating attractive urban spaces. However, the implementation of modern design development strategies without sufficient consideration of cultural aspects and societal visual preferences has raised a number of questions with regard to the public's acceptance and appreciation of the newly implemented urban facades. This study aims to comprehensively examine the relationship between cultural elements and visual preferences in the context of urban waterfront walkways in Malaysia. This study implemented a photo survey to assess the visual preferences of the study's respondents. The results indicated a significant correlation between subjects' visual preferences and their cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the analysis of the collected data highlights a strong correlation between the presence of green elements and what the respondents perceived as part of the Malaysian culture. Additionally, the historical character of the study area, as represented by historical buildings, significantly influences the preferences of Malaysian respondents. Furthermore, certain elements, such as food carts, high-rise buildings, and water, are among the least preferred compared to other elements. Ultimately, incorporating these elements in the early design stages can contribute to the creation of culturally connected and visually appealing urban waterfront spaces in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a multidisciplinary approach between palaeoecology and the analysis of historical archives to reconstruct forest history subjected to long-term human activities. We focus on a case study from the southern French Alps (the Bléone Valley), for which a rich historical corpus but little palaeoenvironmental data are available. We compared and contrasted (i) pedoanthracological data obtained along an altitudinal transect (ca 400 m), (ii) dendrochronological data from historical buildings and old living trees, and (iii) historical data from written sources on forest management and land-use change. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the comparison between different proxy data to understand the history of mountain forest ecosystems and human-forest interactions is very challenging. We show that the spatial distribution of forest and treeline position have been impacted by human activities, mainly due to agro-sylvo-pastoral practices through the use of fire and forest cutting to maintain open pasture lands and local building purposes. Despite centuries of local agro-sylvo-pastoral activities, the forest composition has remained relatively unchanged since the Middle Ages. Our comparison of historical documents with dendrochronological data on local buildings and soil charcoal data shows that the local demands of wood cannot explain the observed large-scale changes in forest spatial continuity. Curiously, the highest demand for wood by local residents did not occur in pace with modern demographic boom (17th century), as would be expected. Thus, we suggest that supra-regional external regulations and State's control played a more important role in forest management. Royal shipbuilding industry, more lucrative economic stakes, and expanded demand for timber for construction of buildings in urban areas of the lower valleys and plains are among the external factors which impacted forest exploitation during periods when logging was prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]