Earthen Architecture Initiative

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.

• 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
• A 2023 4-day collaborative meeting in December, organized under the aegis of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Earth Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH), brought together 30 international experts to discuss the conservation of earthen heritage. The meeting aimed to define common strategic directions in the field of earthen heritage conservation, develop thoughtful responses to current challenges, and foster mutual exchange and learning between conservation professionals

Claudia Cancino, Project Manager, Senior Project Specialist; Elena Macchioni, Project Specialist; Susan Macdonald, Head, Buildings and Sites; Benjamin Marcus, Project Specialist; Leslie Rainer, Senior Project Specialist; Alessandra Sprega, Associate Project Specialist