Learning from the Vernacular Building Systems of the East Aegean: Traditional Examples of Durable Construction in a Seismic Region

The discovery of an unexplored traditional building system in the east Aegean expands our knowledge of durable historic construction in this earthquake prone area. Characterised by the combination of solid stone masonry and timber frame, this building system resembles earthquake-resistant construction recorded in Calabria, in Italy, and on the island of Leukada, in Greece. Its particularity, the existence of two autonomous load-bearing systems, as well as the use of extensive timber reinforcement improves the ability of structures to endure earthquakes, a phenomenon which is particularly intense and frequent in the region. This paper represents the first attempt to analyse this system and to evaluate its potential to inform the development of durable construction in earthquake prone areas.