Ethical Guidelines for Structural Interventions to Small Scale Historic Stone Masonry Buildings

Abstract

Structural interventions to historic stone masonry buildings require consideration of both structural and heritage values simultaneously. The absence of one of these value systems in implementations can be observed as an unethical professional action. The research objective of this article is to prepare a guideline for ensuring ethical structural interventions of small-scale stone historic masonry buildings in the conservation areas of Northern Cyprus. The methodology covers an analysis of internationally accepted documents of conservation and national laws related to conservation of historic buildings; an analysis of building codes, especially Turkish building codes, which have been used in Northern Cyprus; and an analysis of the structural interventions introduced to a significant historic building in semi-intact state in the walled city of Famagusta. This guideline covers the issues of buildings as being intact or ruined, the presence of earthquake risk, types of structural decisions during an architectural conservation project, and the values to consider during the decision-making phase.