The Future of Mediterranean Architecture

Haven’t we the obligation to preserve and pass on the cultural memory which is conveying intangible sense and values that are so indispensable to every living society? Is not there any alternative for conserving our architectural heritage expressing shared universal values? On such point of view, the earthen architecture should not be essential to this protection and passing on of our inherited cultural, bio and techno-diversity? So, it should be upon the indisociable triptych “conservation-sustainable development-modernity” that could raise a “vision” for a recreated future of the earthen architecture useful for the coming out of more viable societies generating new specific as diverse equilibriums between “men”, their environment and their culture. We have to take better knowledge and more understanding of this “building intelligence” and go on updating, enriching our cultural legacy by a more appropriate use of our potentials. But, in the same time, we have to be careful to not be frozen in an “illusion of the permanency”. Based on such observations, the conservation, the development and the enriching of the earthen architecture heritage, are a decisive contribution for tomorrow. In the Albanian case, this is a possibility of opening a new path to a “post-development” period, which could not be based only in money profits, it is the moment to turn our interest to our inherited architectonic values, as Albania and as part of the Mediterranean Architecture; to update inherited building traditions, rich in material and in psychological characteristics. It should be clear that these architectures are built not with bricks or stones, but with relations of affect, passion and reciprocity

Tradition and modernity on fundamentals and diversities of Mediterranean architecture

Firstly, this article focuses on the origins of modern architecture in addition to the simple binomial academism/modernism that sometimes gives little clarification about the aesthetic, formal or typological options of southern European countries. By widening the spectrum of cultural, mythical and ideological influences at the beginning of the 20th century, other insights are possible, not only with regard to the modern period, but also in the understanding of some paths of Mediterranean contemporary production. In short, this article aims to raise two main questions and how can they be related: 1) Does the identity of Mediterranean architecture come from common fundamentals or from a richness of contrasts and diversities? 2) Can these fundamentals and diversities become “operative” in architectural/urban design?  And how do they respond to the globalization phenomena and the possibility of real sustainable achievements

The reflection of Euro- Mediterranean historical culture on contemporary architecture in Alexandria

During the past thirty years, interest in vernacular and traditional architecture all over the world has grown rapidly and in diverse directions. Architects and all those concerned with the building industry started to realize that buildings at their new current status does not fit properly with their environments in its global term. They realized how most traditional architecture met the needs of the local, worked with the environment and added to the value and culture of their place. Scholars and architects now apply the term "vernacular architecture" to traditional buildings, and “Neo-Vernacular” to concepts that aims to advance recognition and application of vernacular architecture traditions worldwide. Although not all vernacular architecture is climatically responsive, as sometimes social and cultural aspects dominate and govern the needs from climate. However, it is considered more indigenous to a particular place along with its climate. This paper is concerned with the traditional architecture and heritage of Alexandria’s buildings, skyline and facades along the Mediterranean coastal line. This is discussed through an analysis carried out on the buildings of the coastal line of Alexandria, and the timeline influence upon their Architecture

Workability and chemical-physical degradation of limestone frequently used in historical Mediterranean architecture

Sedimentary rocks are among the most used in historical buildings, as they are more readily available in the area and because they are also more easily extractable, in virtue in general of lower mechanical resistance. among these the most used are limestones and sandstones. The former are represented by a remarkable variety of lithologies, with highly variable characteristics, passing from the almost pure, massive and not very porous limestones, to those with a variable arenaceous-clayey component which instead are characterized by a low compactness and consequent high porosity (up to 35%). In this study the calcarenites present in two geographic sectors of Sardinia are dealt with, by comparing them with similar showers present in other territorial contexts of the Mediterranean. The mineralogical-petrographic analyzes by optical microscope and XRD analysis of the "Pietra Cantone" limestone of Cagliari (south Sardinia) show, besides calcite, the presence of phyllosilicates and various other accessory minerals. SEM analyses show a very weak physical-mechanical microstructure

Architecture and sustainability in the Mediterranean. The case of the Barcelo

LIMA, Low Impact Mediterranean Architecture, is an initiative that aims to demonstrate that reducing environmental impact of buildings in countries with warm climates is viable, both technically and economically. The project, which also improves the comfort and habitability of the building, can be applied to both new works, as well as to rehabilitation. A holistic view of the environmental impact thet we are presenting not only includes energy consumption during the building's period of use, but incoporation of construction materials throughout the building's lifecycle, likewise covering the water cycle and aspects such as health and comfort. The Taller Barceloneta, which was commissioned by the Town Hall of Barcelona, is an example of the LIMA Model under real conditions

Relations between static-structural aspects, construction phases and building materials of San Saturnino Basilica (Cagliari, Italy)

The construction site was used several times: in a first phase, in the republican era of Roman domination it hosted, probably, a temple whose height could reach 25 meters; in a second phase, during the Roman Empire, it was used as a burial area. Then around IV-V century AD a first Christian Basilica made of a naved building with an apse was built there, at the center of a large monastery. Subsequently in a third phase in VI century AD a Byzantine Martyrium, with a Greek cross-shaped plan, was built: the central part of it, supporting a dome is still standing. Finally after 1089 the church was given to Marsilian monks who deeply renovated it and changed its shape converting the plan to a Latin cross. A macroscopic material analysis shows the presence of various rocks, whose use appears to be inhomogeneous during all construction phases. Sedimentary rocks (limestones, sandstones, calcarenites etc belonging to local geological formations) are generally used for masonry structures. Marbles, mostly coming from abroad and previously used in Roman buildings have been adopted for architectural elements (columns, capitals, and so on). At a lower extent there are masonry blocks in Oligo-Miocenic volcanic rocks and seldom stone materials which are not originally from Sardinia. Both mineralogical and petrographic tests (e.g. XRF, XRD) and the most important physical properties (porosity, density, water absorption coefficients, compressive, flexural and tensile strength, etc) show that many of the more representative samples of rock materials (like limestonss, calcarenits) are often highly decayed, with a corresponding reduction of their mechanical strength. A structural analysis is particularly useful for helping in clarifying the historical evolution of the building, checking reconstruction hypotheses and assessing the true residual strength of the more important parts. An example, a FEM analysis of the Byzantine domed part is presented here

Arquitectura i sostenibilitat a la Mediterrània. El cas del barri de la Barceloneta

LIMA, Low Impact Mediterranean Architecture, és una iniciativa que pretén demostrar que la reducció drástica de l'impacte ambiental de les edificacions en països de clima càlid és viable, tant tecnològicament com econòmicament. El projecte, que també millora el confort i l'habitabilitat de l'immoble, és aplicable tan a obra nova com a rehabilitació. La visió holística de l'impacte ambiental que presentem inclou no sols el consum d'energia en la fase d'ús de l'edifici, sinó també la incorporada als materials de construcció al llarg de tot el cicle de vida de l'immoble, i també en el cicle de l'aigua i els aspectes de salut i confort. El Taller Barceloneta, construït per encàrrec de l'Ajuntament de Barcelona és una mostra en condicions reals del model LIMA

Sustainability and the Urban Planning Context: Housing Development in Algeria

This paper describes research into the development of housing in Algeria. It focuses on the history of traditional dwellings and the importance of outdoor space located inside the building: typically in the form of a courtyard. Courtyard dwellings in the city of Constantine are examined in some detail. The rapid urbanisation process taking place in Algeria in recent years together with difficulties in the planning system since colonial times has caused difficulties in responding to housing needs. The concentration of the population in smaller areas of cities has led to the need for more compact yet comfortable dwellings. The paper describes how the situation might be dealt with in the township of Jijel. A number of stakeholders are being consulted and the key results of in-depth interviews with architects are reported. The findings from the review of the existing housing areas and survey are then interpreted to make suggestions for development in the future

Risks related to gas manifestations in the Hellenic territory

Like other geodynamically active areas, Greece is affected by a large number of geogenic gas manifestations. These occur either in form of point sources (fumaroles, mofettes, bubbling gases) or as diffuse emanations. We produced a catalogue of the geogenic gas manifestations of Greece also considering few literature data. Collected samples were analysed for their chemical (He, Ne, Ar, O2, N2, H2, H2S, CO, CH4 and CO2) and isotopic composition (He, C and N). Geogenic gases, apart from having important influences on the global climate, could have strong impact on human health. Gas hazard is often disregarded because fatal episodes are often not correctly attributed. Geodynamic active areas release geogenic gases for million years over wide areas and the potential risks should not be disregarded. A preliminary estimation of the gas hazard has been made for the last 20 years considering the whole population of Greece. In this period at least 2 fatal episodes with a total of 3 victims could be certainly attributed to CO2. This would give a risk of 1.310-8 fatality per annum. Such value, probably underestimated, is much lower than most other natural or anthropogenic risks. Nevertheless this risk, being unevenly distributed along the whole territory, should not be overlooked and better constrained in areas with high density of gas manifestations and high soil gas fluxes