Persian Architectural Heritage Conservation

This book focuses on the conservation and preservation of Persian architectural heritage, including the philosophy of conservation, practical experiences, and risk. Containing the results of research completed over the last several decades into a culture that has contributed much to human civilisation, the book will be useful not just as a scholarly reference for researchers and students, but also as a practical tool for practicing engineers.

During its long history Persian culture has played a fundamental role in, and has made major contributions to, human civilisation. During the last few decades, scholarly interest in Persian culture, including its history, archaeology, art and architecture, has accelerated research into Persian cultural heritage. Scientific studies have provided information about knowledge on which Persian traditional buildings are based and methodologies used for their preservation. This book gives comprehensive information about Persian architectural heritage for scholars, students and practicing engineers in civil, structural, architectural, hydraulic, and restoration engineering, and other related disciplines.

During its long history Persian culture has played a fundamental role in, and has made major contributions to, human civilisation. During the last few decades, scholarly interest in Persian culture, including its history, archaeology, art and architecture, has accelerated research into Persian cultural heritage. Scientific studies have provided information about knowledge on which Persian traditional buildings are based and methodologies used for their preservation. This book gives comprehensive information about Persian architectural heritage for scholars, students and practicing engineers in civil, structural, architectural, hydraulic, and restoration engineering, and other related disciplines. The book focuses on the structural features of heritage architecture. It describes the construction materials used in architectural heritage structures, traditional construction technology and structural analysis of architectural heritage, arches, vaults, and domes. The book is not only a reference work but also contains theory written in such a way that it appeals to practising engineers, as well as students and researchers.

This book deals with the history of Persian architecture, its geometry and orientation, architectural and urban functions, and climatic adaptability in Persian vernacular architecture. Not just a reference work, the book also presents theory. The book is written so as to appeal to practicing engineers as well as students and researchers.

This book describes the construction materials used in Persian heritage structures and the traditional construction technology employed. It also provides structural analysis of architectural heritage, arches, and domes. Serving as a reference work the book will appeal to practising engineers, students and researchers, in the way it presents theory.

This book represents a reflection on the policies of preservation that were established and interventions for restoration that occurred in Iran before and in the years after the Khomeinist Revolution, as well as being an analysis of the impact that Italian restoration culture has had in the country. Research concerning the state of conservation and the ongoing restoration of the Armenian churches in the Khoy and Salmas areas is included, along with precise documentation of the observation of the two cities, their architecture and the context of their landscape. The problems of architectural restoration in present-day Iran and the compatible use of buildings no longer intended for worship are addressed. The book is bolstered by first-hand documentation obtained through inspections and interviews with Iranian specialists during three missions carried out between 2016 and 2018 and a large anthology of period texts that have only recently been made available for the first time for study in electronic form, including travel reports written by Westerners describing Persia between the 15th and 19th centuries.

This book represents a reflection on the policies of preservation that were established and interventions for restoration that occurred in Iran before and in the years after the Khomeinist Revolution, as well as being an analysis of the impact that Italian restoration culture has had in the country. Research concerning the state of conservation and the ongoing restoration of the Armenian churches in the Khoy and Salmas areas is included, along with precise documentation of the observation of the two cities, their architecture and the context of their landscape. The problems of architectural restoration in present-day Iran and the compatible use of buildings no longer intended for worship are addressed. The book is bolstered by first-hand documentation obtained through inspections and interviews with Iranian specialists during three missions carried out between 2016 and 2018 and a large anthology of period texts that have only recently been made available for the first time for study in electronic form, including travel reports written by Westerners describing Persia between the 15th and 19th centuries.

The book contributes to a recontextualization of authenticity by investigating how this value is created, reenacted, and assigned. Over the course of the last century, authenticity figured as the major parameter for the evaluation of cultural heritage. It was adopted in local and international charters and guidelines on architectural conservation in Europe, South and East Asia. Throughout this period, the concept of authenticity was constantly redefined and transformed to suit new cultural contexts and local concerns. This volume presents colonial and postcolonial discourses, opinions, and experiences in the field of architectural heritage conservation and the use of site-specific practices based on representative case studies presented by art historians, architects, anthropologists, and conservationists from Germany, Nepal, India, China, and Japan. With more than 180 illustrations and a collection of terminologies in German, English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Nevari and Nepali, classical Chinese and standard Mandarin, and Japanese, these cross-cultural investigations document the processual re-configuration of the notion of authenticity. They also show that approaches to authenticity can be specified with key analytical categories from transcultural studies: appropriation, transformation, and, in some cases, refusal.

Comprising papers presented at the 15th International Conference on Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture this volume brings together global contributions from scientists, architects, engineers and restoration experts dealing with different aspects of heritage buildings, including the preservation of architectural heritage. The importance of retaining the built cultural heritage cannot be overemphasised. Rapid development and the inappropriate conservation techniques are threatening many built cultural heritage unique sites in different parts of the world. This current volume covers a wide range of topics related to the historical aspects and the reuse of heritage buildings, as well as technical issues on the structural integrity of different types of buildings, such as those constructed with materials as varied as iron and steel, concrete, masonry, wood or earth. Material characterisation techniques are also addressed, including non-destructive tests via computer simulation. Modern computer simulation can provide accurate results demonstrating the stress state of the building and possible failure mechanisms affecting its stability. The included papers focus on such topics as: Heritage architecture and historical aspects; Learning from the past; Surveying and monitoring; Modern (19th/20th century) heritage; Ports and coastal heritage; Heritage masonry structures; Wooden structures; New technologies and materials; Corrosion and material decay; Seismic vulnerability and retrofit; Re-use of heritage buildings; Heritage and tourism; Conservation policies; Guidelines, codes and regulations for heritage; Heritage management; Defence, Industrial and Transportation heritage; Social, cultural and economic aspects; Adaptability and accessibility; Monitoring and damage detection; Vernacular architecture.