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Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition
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Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 5541

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vaidas Petrulis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Architecture and Construction, Kaunas University of Technology, 44405 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: theory of architecture; architectural history; heritage; protection of cultural heritage; urban history; cultural heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Raimondas Bliūdžius

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Architecture and Construction, Kaunas University of Technology, 44405 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: energy efficiency of buildings; heat transfer; thermal insulation; air tightness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Huriye Armagan Dogan-Stewart

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Interests: cultural memory; heritage; 20th century architecture; perception
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The process of preserving built heritage challenges the institutional, technological, and conceptual notions of the twentieth century, evolving into a global, deeply interdisciplinary, and digitally driven endeavour. However, new technological opportunities and the rapidly expanding field of AI come with new uncertainties. Built heritage can no longer be regarded as a discipline isolated from issues such as mass migration, climate change, social inequalities, and other global concerns. In response, this Special Issue of Buildings, “Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition”, aims to provide a platform for discussing significant research challenges and achievements related to methods and technologies in the field of built heritage.

It seeks to gather diverse research outcomes and practical experiences related to defining significance, identifying construction technologies and restoration methods, creating adaptive reuse strategies, and other relevant topics. Dr. V. Petrulis warmly invites authors to submit their articles for potential inclusion in this Special Issue.

Some related research papers have been published in the previous edition of this Special Issue, which can be accessed using the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings/special_issues/Built_Heritage_Conservation_21stCentury.

Dr. Vaidas Petrulis
Dr. Raimondas Bliūdžius
Dr. Huriye Armagan Dogan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • built heritage
  • restoration and conservation
  • adaptive reuse
  • materiality research
  • theory of cultural heritage

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 2899 KiB  
Article
Research on Tourist Satisfaction Evaluation of Macau’s Built Heritage Space Under the Genius Loci
by Pohsun Wang, Chenxi Li and Jing Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101701 - 17 May 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
As a typical World Cultural Heritage city, Macau has a special regional identity and outstanding cultural value in the built heritage and spatial identity of the city. As contemporary cultural industries have undergone rapid development to transform architectural heritage spaces into displays into [...] Read more.
As a typical World Cultural Heritage city, Macau has a special regional identity and outstanding cultural value in the built heritage and spatial identity of the city. As contemporary cultural industries have undergone rapid development to transform architectural heritage spaces into displays into showcases of heritage significance, an adaptive transformation strategy is not to be ignored. Although the current transformations demonstrate functional efficacy, they lack of a cultural environment, the Gestalt of the Genius Loci, and a limited visitor experience. For this research, we use the Genius Loci theory to identify constitutive spatial elements and derive theory-based evaluation criteria for the Mandarin’s House, which acts as the case study. It provides a comprehensive evaluation framework across four dimensions: spatial perception, cultural identity, emotional engagement, and functional attributes, each one comprising 20 specific indicators. This research reviews the factors that affect the recognition of cultural identity through quantitative analysis using Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA), evaluating the importance–performance relationships of these indicators. Critical gaps between visitor expectations and current spatial performance are found. Therefore, four optimization strategies are proposed accordingly. (1) Physical experience is enriched through reconstruction of spatial narrative; (2) spiritual experience is reinforced through cultural memory activation; (3) regional characteristics are strengthened through the contextualization of heritage values; and (4) sustainable development mechanisms for adaptive reuse are established. Taken as a systematic approach, it offers both theoretical and practical insight into the regeneration of the architectural heritage spaces in the World Cultural Heritage cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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38 pages, 18563 KiB  
Article
Restoration Design of the Former Residences of Historical Dignitaries in Townships: Insights from Wu’s Juren Mansion in Fujian Province, China
by Lei Zhang, Yile Chen, Jiaying Fang and Liang Zheng
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081303 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 353
Abstract
In the context of globalization and cultural diversity, the former residences of historical dignitaries in townships hold profound historical and cultural value, making them an important part of cultural heritage. However, as urbanization accelerates, these former residences encounter numerous challenges, necessitating a heightened [...] Read more.
In the context of globalization and cultural diversity, the former residences of historical dignitaries in townships hold profound historical and cultural value, making them an important part of cultural heritage. However, as urbanization accelerates, these former residences encounter numerous challenges, necessitating a heightened focus on their protection and restoration. In this study, we utilized Wu’s Juren Mansion in Fujian as a focal point to delve deeply into the restoration design of the former residences of historical dignitaries in townships. This study covers the basic information, historical evolution, and surrounding environment of the building and investigated its damage in detail—including damage to the gatehouse, corridor, main building, roll roof, and walls—classified and counted the defect locations, and deeply analyzed the causes of damage. Based on relevant laws and regulations, we determined the nature, design principles, and foundation of the restoration project. We then formulated specific restoration measures, such as repairing and maintaining roofs, wooden structures, and walls, as well as measures for wood selection, adhesive use, and termite control. The restoration strategies and design schemes proposed in this study can effectively eliminate safety hazards, preserve the original style of the building to the greatest extent, and maintain historical and cultural value. At the same time, this research provides a reference example for the protection and development of former residences of historical dignitaries in townships and promotes the sustainable development of rural cultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 13945 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Comparison of Geographical Color of Traditional Village Architectural Heritage Based on K-Means Color Clustering—A Case Study of Southeastern Hubei Province, China
by Li Dong and Meiqi Kang
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050748 - 25 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 654
Abstract
The architectural heritage of traditional villages, as an important bearing entity of regional culture, contains strong regional color attributes. However, under the wave of contemporary rapid economic development, the color of traditional village architectural heritage is facing serious challenges. The K-means clustering algorithm [...] Read more.
The architectural heritage of traditional villages, as an important bearing entity of regional culture, contains strong regional color attributes. However, under the wave of contemporary rapid economic development, the color of traditional village architectural heritage is facing serious challenges. The K-means clustering algorithm has outstanding advantages in image color clustering and is suitable for the large-scale data collection of sample picture primary colors to reduce subjective bias and can be combined with the HSV color space to optimize the results. In this study, the architectural heritage of four traditional villages of the Ming and Qing dynasties in the southeastern region of Hubei Province is taken as the research object, the K-means clustering algorithm is used to quantify the color data of the architectural heritage, and the HSV color space is used to analyze the distribution characteristics of the color data and to excavate the uniqueness of its colors and the regional characteristics. The results of this study show that the color characteristics of the architectural heritage of the four villages are as follows: the main colors, red-yellow and red, and the overall color percentage should be between 80% and 100%. The auxiliary colors, cyan blue and blue, should range from 0 to 20% and show low saturation and medium-high value characteristics. Based on the above results, the recommended range of values for the architectural heritage colors in the southeastern part of Hubei Province is clarified: the hue values are between the ranges of 0–40 and 200–230, the saturation is between 0 and 30%, and the values are in the range of 30–70%. At the same time, based on this range of values, a set of recommended chromatograms was generated to provide a visual reference for the adjustment of architectural heritage colors, which is helpful for the conservation and development of architectural heritage colors and landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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29 pages, 41771 KiB  
Article
The Aesthetic Imagery of Traditional Garden Door and Window Forms: A Case Study of the Four Major Traditional Gardens of Lingnan
by Zhongwei Wang, Ruyue Zheng, Jian Tang, Shaobin Wang and Xubo He
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040513 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1034
Abstract
Traditional Lingnan gardens, one of the three major types of Chinese garden design, have evolved over nearly a millennium, embodying the distinctive craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the Lingnan region. The architectural elements of doors and windows in these gardens serve as key [...] Read more.
Traditional Lingnan gardens, one of the three major types of Chinese garden design, have evolved over nearly a millennium, embodying the distinctive craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the Lingnan region. The architectural elements of doors and windows in these gardens serve as key expressions of regional cultural identity. This study focuses on four renowned Lingnan gardens (e.g., Yuyin Garden in Guangzhou, Liang Garden in Foshan, Qinghui Garden in Shunde, and Ke Garden in Dongguan) as primary case studies to examine the typologies, decorative characteristics, and aesthetic qualities of their doors and windows. Based on aesthetic imagery, the research elucidates both the functional and structural principles governing these designs, while also exploring their aesthetic resonance with traditional Chinese arts, such as calligraphy, painting, and poetry. By deepening the theoretical understanding of the formal and artistic features of Lingnan garden doors and windows, this study contributes to advancing the scholarly discourse on traditional garden architecture and supports the ongoing cultural preservation of this important heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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42 pages, 32945 KiB  
Article
Innovative Design Method for Lingnan Region Veranda Architectural Heritage (Qi-Lou) Facades Based on Computer Vision
by Qiang Tang, Liang Zheng, Yile Chen, Junming Chen and Shuai Yang
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030368 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1170
Abstract
The veranda buildings (Qi-lou) in Lingnan are important historical and cultural carriers of knowledge of the transformation of cities in Lingnan from traditional to modern forms. However, the restoration and protection of Qi-lou building facades faces challenges such as low efficiency, over-reliance on [...] Read more.
The veranda buildings (Qi-lou) in Lingnan are important historical and cultural carriers of knowledge of the transformation of cities in Lingnan from traditional to modern forms. However, the restoration and protection of Qi-lou building facades faces challenges such as low efficiency, over-reliance on architects’ experience, and a lack of systematic technical tools. This study adopts computer vision techniques, specifically conditional generative adversarial networks (CGANs), to propose a new framework for generating realistic Qi-lou building facade designs. By collecting and processing 131 Qi-lou building facade samples, this study constructs a database covering various architectural styles, such as Gothic, Baroque, and Nanyang styles, and introduces a building exterior profile (BEP), a functional segmentation layout (FSL), and a three-stage hierarchical modeling approach for building elevation (BE) to achieve stylized facade generation. The main research findings are as follows: (1) The proposed CGAN model can accurately generate functional zoning layouts and effectively improve the design efficiency of Qi-lou building facades. (2) The generated facade images are consistent in style and structure, exhibiting high realism and significantly reducing the need for manual adjustments. (3) The generation quality of the model is significantly optimized as the input complexity (such as the number of windows and colonnades) increases. This shows that the framework proposed in this study can provide effective technical support for the restoration and innovative design of Qi-lou buildings in the Lingnan region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 20967 KiB  
Article
Heritage Characterisation and Preservation Strategies for the Original Shantung Christian University Union Medical College (Jinan)—A Case of Modern Mission Hospital Heritage in China
by Cong Fu, Meng Chen, Kun Yang and Qi Zhou
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030336 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 908
Abstract
At the turn of the 20th century, Christian and Catholic churches in Western nations established numerous mission hospitals in non-European regions. In China, mission hospitals represent a significant category of modern architectural heritage, symbolising advancements in healthcare and medical education while also serving [...] Read more.
At the turn of the 20th century, Christian and Catholic churches in Western nations established numerous mission hospitals in non-European regions. In China, mission hospitals represent a significant category of modern architectural heritage, symbolising advancements in healthcare and medical education while also serving as historical artifacts of early cultural interactions between China and the West. With ongoing developments in medical technology, these mission hospital structures no longer meet contemporary healthcare demands; many have been repurposed or temporarily abandoned. Preserving and effectively repurposing mission hospital heritage has thus emerged as a critical issue. In the present study, the Shantung Christian University Union Medical College was examined as a case study in addressing this challenge. The site retains the original Outpatient Building, Inpatient Building, Medical Teaching Building, and other architectural heritage and has preserved the original mixed Chinese and Western architectural styles. A combination of historical research, field investigation, and historic layering was adopted in the present study, drawing primarily on data from historical maps, satellite images from different periods, aerial photography from drones, architectural drawings, and other relevant historical data. Through case studies, methods for characterising and identifying the landscape and architectural heritage of mission hospitals were explored. Principles for the preservation and regeneration of the heritage of church hospitals were also proposed, with a view to providing a reference for the study and preservation of this type of heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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43 pages, 22154 KiB  
Review
A Visual Analysis and Review of Chinese Qilou Architectural Heritage Based on CiteSpace
by Yilin Wu, Zhihong Chen, Xiuhong Lin and Xiaoqiang Tu
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1638; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101638 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Chinese Qilou Architecture Heritage (CQAH) serves commercial and residential functions, integrates Southeast Asian and local Chinese architectural features, and is a unique testimony to modern commerce and culture of the overseas Chinese hometown. Since the 1990s, the academic community has conducted extensive research [...] Read more.
Chinese Qilou Architecture Heritage (CQAH) serves commercial and residential functions, integrates Southeast Asian and local Chinese architectural features, and is a unique testimony to modern commerce and culture of the overseas Chinese hometown. Since the 1990s, the academic community has conducted extensive research on CQAH. This paper utilizes CiteSpace 6.4.R1 as the research tool and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) as the core database, with “Qilou” as the core keyword and “Chinese Qilou Architecture” and “Qilou District” as the research themes. After a rigorous data collection procedure, 491 documents were obtained and subjected to visual analysis. The results show that research on CQAH is most prevalent in the field of architectural science and engineering, primarily focusing on four key issues: the distribution area and historical origin of Qilou, differences in regional characteristics of Qilou architecture, conservation and renewal of the Qilou historic district in urban development, and cultural inheritance and spatial activation. The research can be divided into four stages: exploration of basic features and historical background, exploration of architectural origins and development motives, cultural heritage protection and adaptive use, diversified perspectives, and multidisciplinary integration. Correspondingly, this paper also proposes four priority research directions for the future. This study provides theoretical support and practical reference for the conservation of CQAH and offers new methods and perspectives for the study of the future sustainable development of Qilou. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Heritage Conservation in the Twenty-First Century: 2nd Edition)
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