OLD RAUMA (FINLAND): LIVING AND RESEARCHING VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

[EN] Old Rauma is a Finnish medieval town. It was founded in the 15th century and although it went through several modifications, it maintained significative features of medieval Nordic urbanism and vernacular architecture. Buildings mostly consist of logs-timber structures, even if there are also few cases of stone constructions; dwellings are usually simple volumes composed of a stone cellar, a first main floor and an attic, that is used for ventilation and secondary domestic activities. The wood is the most used material and slabs, floors, doors, windows, finishing and decorations are made of it. People still live in traditional dwellings or use them with other functions. Some significant changes were necessary to adapt the buildings to the modern lifestyle: although some of them were quite modifying, the upgrades are often operated by using traditional techniques, materials and by maintaining the most relevant architectural features. Thank to this habit, Old Rauma is one of the largest and most important examples of Nordic traditional architecture. This text will present the results of 2 months of direct field research, by explaining the work methodology, its results and some considerations about them. The analysis has been conducted during a traineeship at Tammela Centre (Rauma) and it has been carried out by visual surveys, bibliographical researches, active participation to seminars and activities, photographical cataloguing and through interviews with local professionals, experts and inhabitants.The previous text presented the results of some months of research on Old Rauma urbanism, architecture, conservation and valorisation carried out by the author for her Master's Degree in Preservation of Architectural Heritage final dissertation. The work was directed by Camilla Mileto, Fernando López VegasManzanares and Lidia García Soriano, taking part in the research project 3D Past - Living and virtual visiting world heritage [Grant Agreement Ref Nº570729-CREA-1-2016-1-PT-CULTCOOP1], which was co-funded by the European Union, under the programme Creative Europe (2016-2020); the stay at Tammela Renovation Centre as trainee was possible thank to an Erasmus+ Traineeship Fellowship granted to the author by the Polytechnical University of ValenciaCaruso, M.; García-Soriano, L. (2020). OLD RAUMA (FINLAND): LIVING AND RESEARCHING VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:11-18. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-11-2020S11184

CUENCA (SPAIN), WORLD HERITAGE CITY. ANALYSIS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

[EN] This text presents a study on the city of Cuenca, carried out as part of the Project 3DPast-Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage. Nine case studies were selected within the project, when Cuenca was selected as the Spanish case study. The case studies selected had to be cases of inhabited vernacular architecture in places still preserving the traditional constructive techniques. In addition the selection was expected to cover all of Europe in some way. This is therefore a case study for a city declared World Heritage site, aiming to analyse the characteristics of vernacular architecture which have earned it the title of World Heritage Site (through different analyses and 3D methodologies), such as the management strategies currently used there, learning from those proving successful, and even showing these as an example of management for other World Heritage cities which may be encountering similar problems.This work has been carried out as part of the project 3D Past - Living and virtual visiting world heritage site (2016-1740/001- 001).García-Soriano, L.; Cristini, V.; Diodato, M. (2020). CUENCA (SPAIN), WORLD HERITAGE CITY. ANALYSIS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:529-533. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-529-2020S5295334

Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania: Architecture, History and Intangible Culture

[EN] Romania's significant German (Saxon) heritage is perfectly conserved in southern Transylvania, where Saxons arrived in the mid-1100s from the Rhine and Moselle river regions. Highly respected for their skill and talent, this population succeeded in gaining administrative autonomy, a feat practically unrivalled through a feudal Europe of absolute monarchies. The result of almost nine centuries of existence of the Saxon (German) community in southern Transylvania is still visible today in a stunning melting pot of cultural and architectural heritage, unique in Europe. Within the framework of the project ¿3d Past, Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage¿ the set of 7 villages (Biertan, Câlnic, Dârjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz, Valea Viilor, Viscri) listed by UNESCO since 1993, have been studied in detail. Strategies for maintenance and conservation have been analysed in order to contribute to the awareness and preservation of the principles of authenticity and integrity of those sites.This paper is the result of the research project 3D Past - ¿Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage¿ [Grant Agreement Ref Nº570729-CREA-1-2016-1-PT-CULT-COOP1], which was co-funded by the European Union, under the programme Creative Europe (2016-2020).Cristini, V.; García-Soriano, L.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F. (2020). Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania: Architecture, History and Intangible Culture. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:249-254. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-249-2020S2492544

"House Nepal" Project: Initial Results and Perspectives for an Anti-Seismic Cooperation Project

[EN] The "HouSe-Nepal" project is being developed within the framework of the ADSIDEO programme (Project for the Centre for Development Cooperation of Universitat Politècnica de València 2018-2020) in collaboration with the Nepalese foundation Abari: Bamboo and Earth Initiative. This action aims to provide the technological and scientific support needed for the construction of anti-seismic housing taking into consideration environmental, socio-cultural, and socio-economic sustainability as key factors for the project. Students from Kathmandu University are taking part in a series of experimental constructive actions in the town of Dhulikhel, aiming to provide a response to the major constructive problems and limitations of local housing (as starkly highlighted by the 2015 Ghorka earthquake). This paper aims to present the initial results of the project and some possible perspectives and actions to be specified in its final year. Basically, the design efforts are being aimed at the promotion of an architecture taking inspiration from local Nepalese architecture, as a sign of identity which is safer in the event of ground movement, and more sustainable in terms of production and execution than conventional constructions whose format and technology have been imported from Europe.This paper is part of the "HouSe-Nepal: prototipo de vivienda sostenible anti-seísmo en Nepal" project, funded by the CCD/UPV Adsideo- Cooperación 2018 programme. https://housenepal.blogs.upv.es/Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Mileto, C.; García-Soriano, L.; Cristini, V. (2020). "House Nepal" Project: Initial Results and Perspectives for an Anti-Seismic Cooperation Project. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:719-722. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-719-2020S7197224

Earthen Architecture in childhood awareness for sustainable development

The work presented has been developed within the framework of the educational and diffusion activities promoted by the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture, constructive cultures and sustainable development at its headquarters in the UPV (directed by F. Vegas and C. Mileto) in collaboration with the UPV Nursery School and UPV Summer School. Within this framework, we structured some activities focused on knowledge, promotion and development of earth as material associated with a wide range of constructive, sustainable and ecological techniques, being a former resort yet contemporary, linked to different cultures. The proposed workshops are an educational resource based on active methodologies ("learning by doing") because the students are who learn to build the various earthen techniques their own hands, actively and collaboratively to achieve a common goal, a small building which all participants are encouraging teamwork and collective participation.El trabajo presentado se ha desarrollado en el marco de las actividades didácticas y de difusión fomentadas por la Cátedra UNESCO de Arquitectura de tierra, culturas constructivas y desarrollo sostenible en su sede de la UPV (dirigida por F. Vegas y C. Mileto) y en colaboración con la Escuela Infantil UPV y la Escuela de Verano UPV. En este marco se han estructurado una serie de actividades centradas en el conocimiento, fomento y desarrollo de la tierra como material asociado a un amplio abanico de técnicas constructivas, sostenibles, ecológicas, tratándose de un recurso antiguo y a la vez contemporáneo, vinculado a diversas culturas. Los talleres propuestos constituyen un recurso pedagógico basado en las metodologías activas (“learning by doing”) ya que son los alumnos los que aprenden a construir las diversas técnicas de tierra con sus propias manos, de forma activa y colaborativa para conseguir un objetivo común, una pequeña construcción de la que todos sean partícipes, fomentando el trabajo en equipo y la participación colectiva

Initial assessment of multi-risk social vulnerability for Iberian earthen traditional architecture

[EN] In the Iberian Peninsula the existing earthen (above all vernacular) buildings are hardly socially recognized. The current heritage is vast, rich and valuable but has suffered (and continues to suffer) from the effects of abandonment and lack of maintenance. This, in conjunction with unsuitable interventions, worsens the resistance and durability of this architecture. The RISK-Terra project (financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science) aims to provide a scientific study of different hazards (natural, anthropic, and social ones as well as deterioration and transformation dynamics). The aim of this paper is to focus on initial assessments of the project relating to social hazards (abandonment, depopulation, loss of social reputation, demographic pressure, tourism development.) in order to prevent and mitigate possible damage through specific compatible actions and/or tools aimed at increasing possible social resilience.This text is part of the framework of the RISK-TERRA Project "La arquitectura de tierra en la Peninsula Iberica: estudio de los riesgos naturales, sociales y antropicos y estrategias de intervencion e incremento de la resiliencia" ["Earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: study of natural, social and anthropic risks and strategies to improve resilience"] (main researchers. C. Mileto-F. Vegas) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, ref. RTI2018-095302-B-I00.Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Cristini, V.; García-Soriano, L. (2020). Initial assessment of multi-risk social vulnerability for Iberian earthen traditional architecture. Procedia Structural Integrity. 29:34-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2020.11.136S34392

The Research Project "Earthen Architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: Study of Natural, Social and Anthropic Risks and Strategies to Improve Resilience (Risk-Terra)". Objectives and First Methodology

[EN] The Iberian Peninsula possesses extensive earthen monumental and vernacular architectural heritage. The extension of the territory and its heterogeneous geography and climate, variety of available materials, and cultural diversity are the main factors which have brought about the great wealth of both the architecture, urban and rural settings, and the constructive techniques mainly using earth (rammed earth, adobe, half-timber, cob and its variants). However, despite being an essential part of the Iberian culture, this heritage has been greatly abandoned due to changes in ways of life, the depopulation of rural areas, the lack of social recognition, etc. The research project ¿Risk-Terra ¿ Earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: study of natural, social and anthropic risks and strategies to improve resilience¿ (ref. RTI2018-095302-B-I00), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University (2019¿2021) aims to provide a scientific study of natural hazards (floods, landslides, earthquakes, winds, rise of temperatures), social hazards (abandonment, loss of social reputation, demographic pressure, tourism development¿) and anthropic hazards (carelessness and negligence, lack of protection and maintenance¿), as well as deterioration mechanisms (erosion, loss of materials/parts, collapse¿) and transformation dynamics (replacement, use of incompatible techniques and materials¿), to which the earthen architecture of the Iberian Peninsula is currently subject. This paper presents the general and specific objectives and the methodology to be used in the project.This works is part of the research project Earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: study of natural, social and anthropic risks and strategies to improve resilience Risk-Terra (ref. RTI2018-095302-B-I00; main researchers: Camilla Mileto y Fernando Vegas), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University.Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Cristini, V.; García-Soriano, L. (2020). The Research Project "Earthen Architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: Study of Natural, Social and Anthropic Risks and Strategies to Improve Resilience (Risk-Terra)". Objectives and First Methodology. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:871-876. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-871-2020S8718764

Balancing Tradition and Development? Early Trials of a Methodology for Studying Vernacular Architecture and its Transformations

[EN] In the age of globalization, it becomes necessary to assess the possibilities for the conservation of the characteristic identity features of vernacular architectural heritage. The changes undergone in traditional dwellings appear to be on different scales in societies that are considered developed, and in those that are developing, while the idea of development itself can be the main precursor to change. A study underway aims to identify the nature of the transformations occurring both in traditional architecture and in the society that builds it through case studies and to determine the influence of the concept of ¿development¿ in these changes, spotting the potential role of cooperation in the conservation of vernacular architectural heritage and its capacity for sustainability. The analysis of the first case study, the village of Baasneere (Burkina Faso), has made it possible to implement a methodology based on the review of literature, quantitative and qualitative research techniques and the use of three types of cataloguing fiches on three aspects (urban, typological, constructive) of dwellings under study. Although it needs to be adapted to the specific characteristics of the new case studies, the methodology proposed has been proven valid in the study of vernacular settings and their transformations and is also expected to be of use in establishing comparisons between different contexts.This research was funded by a grant from the Centre for Development Cooperation of Universitat Politècnica de València, which financed a visit for data-collection to Baasneere. This grant aims to encourage cooperation between the university and associations and NGOs working in international cooperation. In this case, during this visit, the authors collaborated with the project that the NGO Algemesí Solidari is carrying out in the village of Baasneere with its counterpart, A3B. The authors wish to thank the members of these two associations for their collaboration in the development of the research. They would also like to thank the inhabitants of Baasneere particularly for their welcome and assistance, and particularly Ouedraogo Ismaël, guide and interpreter during the visit. The initial stages of this research were part of the ConBurkina research project, also funded by the UPV Centre for Development Cooperation, again to support and collaborate with the NGO Algemesí Solidari. Furthermore, the study presented is part of the research carried out for a doctoral thesis funded by an FPU grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.Lidón De-Miguel, M.; García-Soriano, L.; Mileto, C.; Trizio, F. (2020). Balancing Tradition and Development? Early Trials of a Methodology for Studying Vernacular Architecture and its Transformations. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). 44:781-788. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-781-2020S7817884

Assessment of Vulnerability of Earthen Vernacular Architecture in the Iberian Peninsula to Natural Risks. Generation of an Analysis Tool

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Architectural Heritage on 2022, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15583058.2021.1970284[EN] Earthen architecture is an essential part of the architectural and cultural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula. Both at monumental and vernacular level, this architecture has adapted to the diversity of the territory, the different geographies and climates, the variety of materials available and the cultural diversity which have led to a great wealth of constructive variants of this architecture. The RISK-Terra Project was born in this context, funded by the Spanish Ministry for Science, Innovation and Universities, aiming to contribute to the study of this heritage scientifically researching and analysing the natural, social and anthropic threats to earthen vernacular structures, as well as deterioration mechanisms and transformation dynamics currently observed in this type of architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. The research presented in this text has been carried out within the framework of the RISK-Terra Project, with the main objective of developing an analysis tool for application to any element of traditional architecture or earthen vernacular architecture, assessing the degree of vulnerability to the sudden action or continued presence of natural risks (earthquakes, floods, extreme weather events).This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University under Grant RTI2018-095302B-I00.Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; García-Soriano, L.; Pérez-Vila, A. (2022). Assessment of Vulnerability of Earthen Vernacular Architecture in the Iberian Peninsula to Natural Risks. Generation of an Analysis Tool. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 16(6):885-898. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2021.197028488589816

Bioclimatic strategies of traditional earthen architecture

[EN] Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterise bioclimatic strategies of traditional earthen architecture in a specific territory, the Valencian region of La Serrania. These constructions were built in relation to their surrounding geography or climate through several mechanisms facing the action of solar radiation, water, wind, etc. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of selected case studies representing the constructions and typologies of traditional earthen heritage in a territory with similar geography and climate, albeit with certain zonal limitations. Findings The results show that these constructions built with earth offer a global solution to environmental conditioning factors of the region by a series of strategies formalised at urban, architectural and constructive level, either independently or jointly. Although climate variations affect its behaviour, traditional earthen architecture seeks compactness to reach indoor comfort. Originality/value Traditional earthen architecture is a valuable heritage in danger which has been devaluated until several years in this remote region. Therefore, prior knowledge of its bioclimatic strategies and formal constitution is essential to establishing heritage intervention criteria and proposals adapted to its geographical, socio-cultural and socio-economic context.The authors wish to thank the residents of the towns and villages of La Serrania for their collaboration throughout the data collection process. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation as part of the research project "Restoration and rehabilitation of traditional earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. Guidelines and tools for a sustainable intervention".Balaguer-Garzón, L.; Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; García-Soriano, L. (2018). Bioclimatic strategies of traditional earthen architecture. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development. 9(2):227-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-07-2018-0054S2272469