Abstract

Colonial-era buildings’ conservation is now viewed in a more positive light as part of the urban fabric, however the conservation state of colonial-era built heritage has received scant research attention. There are major challenges especially for the preservation of religious buildings erected in the former European colonial territories in the non- Western world. This paper is the outcome of ongoing fieldwork-based research, which aims to identify and locate the mosque and church structures built during the British colonial era in Yorubaland (South Western Nigeria) and investigates their conservation state. This research adopts a mixed methods approach, employing physical observations and semi- structured interviews with heritage practitioners. The analysis of the fieldwork data initiates a discussion on the challenges and threats that result from the spatial requirements of a growing number of congregations which have lead to physical interventions on the original fabric, ranging from minor to major modifications and demolitions. The deficiencies in institutional conservation know-how in addressing the emerging spatial requirements in theoretically and technically appropriate ways are revealed.

Abstract

Certain architectural structures have the ability to persist over time when a building undergoes a change of use. This is the case of patios, according to the conclusions of a study focused on the reused buildings of Barcelona recently developed. The survey of this architectural element should enable us to better understand the behaviour of these buildings. If we define the open-air inner courtyard of a building as a patio, this study is especially interested in those who have the capacity to organize spaces, systematize circulations — along with stairs and corridors — and configure the building as a whole. This set of structuring patios particularly applies in a dense city like Barcelona because their position and size also provide liveability to interior rooms. In light of these qualities, such patios can be regarded as an essential piece of both the formal and the bearing structure of a building. The location and attributes of these patios can be associated with the potential for adaptive reuse: they can help achieve a lower impact on the architectural and formal structure of a renovated building, when used appropriately. Hence the patio can be seen as an indicator of how a new programme adapts to the existing support. 171 out of 565 buildings documented and analysed in Barcelona — a thirty percent of the overall — have at least one patio of a kind whose characteristics have outlived one or more renovation processes. The percentage rises to 50% in Ciutat Vella and Eixample districts, where density and architectural typology make them particularly relevant. Buildings with patios match different uses and periods from the 11th to the 20th century. In spite of the expected differences, the studio draws conclusions on the understanding of material transformations and changes of use they have undergone. In short, with regard to buildings included in this category — both heritage and common ones — this paper helps verify the hypothesis that the very existence of a patio is responsible for the persistence of the internal arrangement and structure and must be carefully considered in future interventions when addressed to extend the life-cycle of a building.

Abstract

There are 1,463 buildings in Barcelona, from different times from the first century to the present day, that have changed their functions once or more times throughout their life. This paper analyses those cases in which changes in use relate to housing and it does it in two opposite ways: In one way, examining houses –mostly with building structures of bearing walls– that have endured functional modifications without losing its main attributes. In the opposite way around, studying buildings with other uses than housing – many of them built with isotropic structures or large structural spans– that have been converted into dwellings. On the other hand, and in both cases, the analysis addresses how the urban situation of the building conditions the use to which it will tend to be transformed.

Abstract

Prefabricated concrete piles have been used for the foundation of bigger buildings for about a century. Often a change in function, an addition (also vertically) or another type of alteration is required, resulting in different loads on the foundation. There are several complicating factors that return regularly in these assessments. The first one is a lack of data. Often drawings are missing or incomplete, e.g. showing only pile head dimensions or maximum calculated load but not the pile length, pile tip shape or material properties. Inspection is hard and only possible for the part directly under the pile head. And a third complication is that in The Netherlands there have only been official codes for piles since 1992. Various calculation and design methods from WWII until 1985 are discussed to see if there is any consistency that might lead to an indication of the load bearing capacity of piles in The Netherlands from that era. It is concluded that design rules for the load bearing capacity of concrete pile foundations in The Netherlands have been inconsistent over time. If the original detailed geotechnical calculations and/or structural drawings cannot be found in archives then the given ultimate loads cannot only not be exceeded; even if the load on a pile is currently less than stated on the technical specifications designers are advised not to increase the load.