CONS533 HISTORICAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

Course Objectives

Acquisition of knowledge on various structural systems used in historic buildings, as well as the techniques and materials employed in their construction and the correct terminology that is necessary for the conservation architects; improvement of skills and abilities to identify and interpret the relationship amongst the materials and the structural systems.

The course does not aim to feed information, but to teach the methodology of understanding, questioning and evaluating material related to construction, structural systems and materials used. This methodology is conveyed through examples in different periods, but mostly related to Anatolia, to enable the implementation in the topics chosen for the synthesis, which is the restoration/conservation design studio.

Knowledge:

-          Acquisition of knowledge on various structural systems used in historic buildings, as well as the techniques and materials employed in their construction and the correct terminology that is necessary for the conservation architects, pertaining to materials, constructions, and structures

-          expertise in using direct and indirect sources of information ranging from first hand information collected on site and from excavations, written sources, models, drawings, carvings, numismatics, as well as native information collected not from the presence but the non-existence of an element or feature.

Skills: Improvement of skills and abilities to establish the relationship amongst the materials, construction and structural systems of specific cultural and architectural contexts (the small research paper, which is part of the course program, is to encourage to employ all the sources used as teaching tools, as well learning to express themselves with the right understanding and terminology).

Attitudes: Development of awareness of cultural heritage and the diversity of methods to be used for this purpose

Course Content

General introduction to various structural systems used in historic buildings, as well as techniques and materials employed in their construction, and their relevance to specific architectural styles. Although the different systems are traced through the material with specific emphasis on Anatolia, the course includes structural systems and building methods used in interacting regions, especially around the Aegean and Mediterranean Basins.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge:

• Identify and discuss various structural systems used in historic buildings, as well as the techniques and materials employed in their construction and use the appropriate terminology relating to materials, constructions, and structures.
• Use the relevant sources (ancient and modern) with expertise

Skills:

• Improve skills and abilities in identifying structural and material characteristics of different construction systems so as to select the appropriate conservation and restoration methods and techniques according to the specific requirements of building techniques and materials

Attitudes:

• Demonstrate awareness, sensibility, and professional ethics towards cultural diversity and utmost care for the protection of cultural heritage