Behavioural Decision-Making in Sustainable Conservation of Built Heritage

The role of heritage buildings in pursuing a more sustainable built environment has been widely discussed in the last decades, from their importance to cohesive and inclusive communities to their contribution to resources conservation and therefore to reducing materials-related carbon emissions. Norms, policies, standards, and design-aid tools...

Innovative Application of Self-healing Technology to Masonry: A Proof of Concept

Cracks are one of the most common expressions of damage in masonry structures. Aside from aesthetic issues, they can compromise the overall behaviour of the structure; therefore, they are undesirable and need to be repaired. The repointing technique is traditionally implemented in this context, especially in historical masonry. Nevertheless,...

Reuse: On Evaluating the Fitness of Spatial Configurations Before & After Retrofitting for Reuse of Architectural Heritage

Focusing on the quality of reuse of buildings with respect to the efficiency of human movement patterns and the effectiveness of allocation of functional spaces with respect to their needs for social encounter and avoidance reveals the configurative nature and the human impact of architectural design. By comparing such functionality assessments...

Architecture

In the Mastermind Crash course, buildings are analyzed on various aspects, in particular looking at the impact and (measurable) results that the interventions in the building have had. Much of the built heritage is vacant, requires a re-use or the current use requires an update. This causes buildings to change. At Heritage & Architecture we...

The Qanat System: A Reflection on the Heritage of the Extraction of Hidden Waters

This chapter focuses on a traditional Iranian water infrastructure, the qanat system, a technical solution to the problem of accessing water for irrigation and urbanization that has shaped the landscape and organized the territory. The qanat was the basis for habitation, construction, and prosperity (abadani). It is also a key to understanding...