Book
Between Two Earthquakes: Cultural Property in Seismic Zones
📖 Overview
Between Two Earthquakes provides guidance for protecting cultural heritage sites and artifacts in earthquake-prone regions. The book draws from Sir Bernard Feilden's experience as an architect and conservator who worked on earthquake damage mitigation projects worldwide.
The text outlines specific methods for assessing seismic risk to historic buildings, museums, and cultural monuments. It presents technical information about structural reinforcement, documentation procedures, and emergency response planning for heritage sites.
Feilden includes case studies of earthquake damage to cultural properties in various countries, examining both successes and failures in preservation efforts. The book contains diagrams, photographs, and detailed specifications that serve as practical references for conservation professionals.
The work emphasizes the broader relationship between cultural preservation and disaster preparedness, highlighting how communities can maintain their heritage in the face of natural threats. This manual remains relevant for architects, engineers, and cultural heritage managers working to protect historic sites in seismically active zones.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Bernard Feilden's overall work:
Readers consistently highlight "Conservation of Historic Buildings" as a comprehensive resource for architectural preservation professionals. Students and practitioners cite the clear methodology, detailed technical information, and practical case studies.
What readers liked:
- Step-by-step approach to building analysis
- Detailed drawings and photographs that illustrate concepts
- Balance of theoretical principles with hands-on guidance
- Coverage of both structural and material conservation
What readers disliked:
- Dense technical language challenging for beginners
- Some outdated restoration techniques (in older editions)
- Limited coverage of modern preservation technologies
- High textbook price point
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (127 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (42 ratings)
A preservation architect wrote on Amazon: "This remains the definitive text for understanding building pathology and conservation approaches." Several reviewers noted the book serves better as a reference manual than a cover-to-cover read. Architecture students frequently mentioned the helpful diagnostic flowcharts and inspection checklists.
📚 Similar books
Historic Building Conservation by Derek Worthing and Stephen Bond
This book presents methods and principles for preserving historic structures with emphasis on risk assessment and structural integrity.
Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions by Paulo B. Lourenço The text examines engineering approaches to protecting heritage buildings in hazard-prone regions through case studies and technical analysis.
Conservation of Historic Buildings by Bernard Feilden This comprehensive guide covers the technical aspects of preserving architectural heritage with focus on structural problems and environmental threats.
Earthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Claudio Modena The book provides technical solutions and methodologies for protecting heritage structures in seismic zones through engineering interventions.
Structural Rehabilitation of Old Buildings by Aníbal Costa This reference work details assessment methods and strengthening techniques for historic structures facing natural hazards and deterioration.
Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions by Paulo B. Lourenço The text examines engineering approaches to protecting heritage buildings in hazard-prone regions through case studies and technical analysis.
Conservation of Historic Buildings by Bernard Feilden This comprehensive guide covers the technical aspects of preserving architectural heritage with focus on structural problems and environmental threats.
Earthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Claudio Modena The book provides technical solutions and methodologies for protecting heritage structures in seismic zones through engineering interventions.
Structural Rehabilitation of Old Buildings by Aníbal Costa This reference work details assessment methods and strengthening techniques for historic structures facing natural hazards and deterioration.
🤔 Interesting facts
🏛️ Sir Bernard Feilden was appointed Director of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) in Rome, making him a leading authority on architectural conservation.
🌍 The book was published in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute and ICCROM, two of the world's most prestigious cultural heritage preservation organizations.
⚡ The manuscript draws from Feilden's firsthand experience with earthquake damage to historic buildings following the 1976 Friuli earthquake in Italy, which affected numerous medieval structures.
📚 Beyond earthquake protection, Feilden pioneered the concept of "preventive conservation" in architecture, which focuses on preventing damage before it occurs rather than just repairing it afterward.
🏺 The book introduces the innovative "damage survey form" methodology, which became a standard tool for assessing earthquake damage to cultural heritage sites worldwide.