Earthen Architecture Initiative

Multi-Project Initiative

Advancing earthen architecture conservation through model projects, research, training, planning and implementation, and publications

Categories
- Conservation
- Training
Years 2006 – present
Status
- Active
Organizer
- Getty Conservation Institute

A village in Mali, with buildings made of earth and topped with wooden roofs

About

Goal

The world's earthen architectural heritage is rich and complex. It appears in ancient archaeological sites, in modern buildings, in large complexes and historic centers, in individual structures and in the form of decorated surfaces. A range of disciplines is associated with its conservation.

The Earthen Architecture Initiative seeks to advance earthen architecture conservation through model projects that improve how conservation interventions are carried out, research, capacity building, and information on appropriate conservation interventions.

Outcomes

The Getty Seismic Adobe Project 2006 colloquium at the Getty Center brought together professionals with expertise in earthen conservation, building standards, and earthquake engineering to discuss the current state of knowledge and the challenges of preserving earthen cultural heritage in active seismic zones. Report from the colloquium made public.
A 2007 experts meeting in collaboration with the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru in Lima to share knowledge and evaluate laboratory testing protocols and methodologies for the study of structural grouting in seismic areas. Meeting summary notes made public
A 2008 experts meeting held in Bath, England, as part of the VI International Conference on Structural Analysis for Historical Constructions
The 2009 Experts Workshop on the Study and Conservation of Earthen Architecture in the Mediterranean Region, held in Villanovaforru, Sardinia, in conjunction with Mediterra 2009: the 1st Mediterranean Conference on Earth Architecture. Report from the workshop made public
Development of a regional action plan to address challenges in conservation and management of earthen sites/architecture for sustainable development, including a list of priorities for the Mediterranean region based on current trends and resources needed for research, training, and implementation of projects. Final report made public
Free published resources, fifteen to date, covering a range of topics that include recommendations for advanced modeling of historic earthen sites, a seismic retrofitting project bibliography, and a survey of damage to historic adobe buildings after the 1994 Northridge earthquake
A field project in southern Morocco that provides a model process for conservation and rehabilitation adaptable to similar earthen sites in the North African region
An international course on the conservation of earthen architecture, providing practical training for twenty-two professionals in conservation of earthen heritage from North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia
A seismic retrofitting project adapting techniques and maintenance programs to improve structural performance and safety of earthen buildings while minimizing historic fabric loss

Background

In recent decades, the field of earthen architecture conservation has grown tremendously. This is reflected in the development of a series of international conferences devoted to the preservation of earthen architecture, the first of which was held in 1972 in Iran.

With each conference, the number of participants has increased along with their geographic and professional diversity. Academics, scientists, architects, and conservation practitioners, united by their interest in earthen architecture, now convene every few years to discuss chemistry, soil science, seismology, hydrology, structural engineering, archaeology, sociology, sustainability, and more, as they pertain to earthen architectural heritage.
As the exchange of ideas within the field has expanded, so have opportunities for collaboration. In 1994 Getty Conservation Institute joined the GAIA Project (a partnership of CRATerre-EAG and ICCROM) to promote the conservation of earthen architecture through the first Pan-American course on the subject.

Three years later, capitalizing on their experiences in earthen architecture education, research, and field projects, the three institutions formed Project Terra. Although the Project Terra partnership culminated in 2006, its long-term initiatives and goals have continued under the programs of the individual partner institutions.

Context

Project Team

Claudia Cancino, Project Manager, Senior Project Specialist; Susan Macdonald, Head, Buildings and Sites; Benjamin Marcus, Project Specialist; Leslie Rainer, Senior Project Specialist

Visit

What's On

Explore Art

Research & Conservation

Funding

About

Earthen Architecture Initiative

About