Author(s)

JOSUE BRIONES-BITAR, BRAYAN PINTO-PONCE, BRANDON LUNA-VASQUEZ, EDUARDO SANTOS-BAQUERIZO, SEBASTIÁN VALENCIA-REDROVÁN, MARIBEL CHUNATA-CUMBAL, EDGAR BERREZUETA, FERNANDO MORANTE-CARBALLO, PAÚL CARRIÓN-MERO

Abstract

Heritage assets preserve the customs and ways of life of people, giving them a sense of identity. This work documents the construction work carried out on Quinta San José (Azogues, Ecuador), a heritage building approximately 100 years old, built with wattle and daub and wooden structural elements. Currently, the building faces environmental issues, neglect in preserving its heritage and inadequate previous interventions, all of which have led to structural problems. The objective of the study is to analyse the implementation of traditional and modern construction techniques through technical visits and design proposals for the rehabilitation of the heritage property, prioritizing safety and structural stability. The methodology is based on three phases: (i) inspection and technical diagnosis of the building; (ii) technical design of solutions; and (iii) post-intervention monitoring. The results show that the earthy material from the wattle-and-daub walls can be reused by adjusting its composition for application in plasters, fillings and renderings, maintaining the consistency of the original construction system. In contrast, wooden elements affected by biological deterioration show a significant loss of their mechanical properties, which justifies their controlled replacement to ensure the stability of the whole. This study provides technical criteria for interventions in heritage buildings constructed with traditional systems, thereby supporting informed decision-making in similar rehabilitation projects.

Keywords

heritage restoration, sustainable materials, wattle and daub, wood, Andean region