An approach to Colombian Andean earthen architecture in urban environments: a case study of Bogotá Historic Centre

ABSTRACT Earthen buildings are a fundamental part of Colombia's historical architectural heritage. This heritage has been deteriorating due to a lack of knowledge, disconnection from cultural roots, and because of the structural vulnerability of these buildings, mainly caused by earthquakes and moisture. Throughout recent years, research has been carried out in order to structurally intervene and preserve these buildings, however, within the Colombian context there are few studies regarding the location, distribution, and main characteristics of earthen buildings. Therefore, this research is presented from general to specific, beginning with an approach to Andean earthen architecture in Colombia, and ending with a case study of an urban environment: The Historic Centre of Bogotá (HCB). Based on this context, the most important earthen construction techniques and rehabilitation techniques were identified. Regarding the HCB case analysed, it was possible to identify the location, relationships, geometric characteristics, and intervention techniques of one-and-two-storey earthen buildings, by means of a procedure that can be replicated in other Colombian cities. The relevance of analysing Colombian earthen constructions is to contribute to the development of intervention techniques for, firstly, facilitating the conservation of their architectural heritage characteristics, and secondly, improving their structural behaviour to survive major earthquakes.