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Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

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Craft, Technology and Design

Tarkko Oksala, Tufan Orel,

Arto Mutanen, Mervi Friman,
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Craft, Technology and Design
Tarkko Oksala, Tufan Orel,
Arto Mutanen, Mervi Friman,
Jaana Lamberg & Merja Hintsa (Eds.)

Häme University of Applied Sciences

Craft, Technology and Design
Tarkko Oksala, Tufan Orel, Arto Mutanen, Mervi Friman,
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Özlem Karakul

Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture,

Conservation and Technology

Introduction
“Craft” is defined as “a certain type of making, in which objects are creat-
ed by hand through the skilled use of tools” in the ICCROM Report (2004,
5) on craft and conservation. Actually, before Industrial Age craft was a
term meaning all products based on hand worksmanship (Sözen & Tanye-
li, 2010, 329). The differentiation between “art” and “craft” in artistic ac-
tivities emerged through the Renaissance period and after, until the 20th
century (Sözen & Tanyeli, 2010, 329). Craft is generally distinguished from
fine art by the function of the end product; craft objects are created for use,
not for contemplation as in fine arts (ICCROM, 2004, 5). The creation pro-
cess of craft objects is carried out with hand and the skilled use of tools by
craftsmen and necessitates a particular skill, knowledge and know-how,
involving an act of creation (ICCROM, 2004, 7). The creativity in the for-
mation process of craft warrants the originality of the craft product.

Building crafts as a branch of traditional craftsmanship means the crafts

related to the building activities. What is involved, is creating by hand
through the skilled use of tools by building craftsmen expressing their spe-
cific knowledge, techniques, and know-how about local building culture in
architecture (Karakul, 2018). After the introduction of modern building
technologies, the decrease and interruption of traditional building pro-
cesses restricted the area of implementation of building crafts into the res-
toration practices of historic buildings. Because of the decrease in demand,
the number of practitioners, i.e, building craftsmen, noticeably decreased.
Thus the knowledge, skills and techniques of building crafts started to dis-
appear causing the degradation of intergenerational transmission between
master and apprentice. In rapidly changing conditions, the decrease of the
demand for building crafts with the interruption of traditional building
made it necessary to define the appropriate practice domains for building
crafts to sustain their life.

As highlighted in the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of

the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the conservation of traditional crafts-
manship necessitates providing an accurate documentation, transmis-
sion from generation to generation and the continuity of the practices car-
ried out by practitioner craftsmen. The accuracy of documentation can be
achieved by understanding craftsmanship holistically, considering both
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 Craft, Technology and Design

its tangible and intangible aspects (Karakul, 2018; Brizard, Derde & Sil-
berman, 2007, 5). New technologies can play a significant role in the iden-
tification, documentation, preservation, promotion, and education of tra-
ditional craftsmanship with its different aspects holistically. The recent
developments in documentation technology, especially digital technolo-
gy, facilitate the accuracy of documentation and contribute to the achieve-
ment of holistic conservation. Furthermore, digital technology also facil-
itates understanding and training process of traditional craftsmanship
both for the general public and apprentices of traditional craftsmanship.
This study discusses the significance of the use of new technologies in the
holistic documentation and conservation of traditional craftsmanship ac-
cepted as a domain of intangible cultural heritage, focusing particularly
on building crafts.

International Documents on Conservation of Building

Crafts and Traditional Craftsmanship
In the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage adopted by UNESCO1 “Building crafts” or “traditional crafts-
manship” concretized in traditional architecture is determined as one
of the domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested The
knowledge, skills and creativity of building masters concretized in tradi-
tional architecture can also be accepted as intangible aspects of building
crafts as a branch of traditional craftsmanship. Craft differentiates from
other forms of intangible cultural heritage because its product is a tangi-
ble one, like architectural ornaments.

The UNESCO 2003 Convention described the intangible cultural herit-

age with all its dimensions and explained safeguarding measures, such
as, “the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection,
promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and

non-formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects

of such heritage.” As all other elements of intangible cultural heritage, the
conservation of traditional craftsmanship also necessitates an accurate

1 The UNESCO 2003 Convention defines “intangible cultural heritage” as “the prac-
tices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills-as well as the instruments,
objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith- that communities,
groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage”;
and, emphasizes the domains of intangible cultural heritage as (a) oral traditions
and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
(b) performing arts; (c) social practices, rituals and festive events; (d) knowledge
and practices concerning nature and the universe; (e) traditional craftsmanship”.
See the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. 32nd
Session of the General Conference. September 29-October 17. Paris. from http://
unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001325/132540e.pdf)

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 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

documentation, the continuity of practice and its transmission between

generations for its safeguarding.

In the 2003 Convention, UNESCO also established the Living Human

Treasures System2 for safeguarding of traditional craftsmanship, organiz-
ing craftsmen, and transmitting their knowledge to new generations. UN-
ESCO determined that the 2003 Convention is mainly concerned with the
skills and knowledge involved in craftsmanship rather than the craft prod-
ucts themselves. Safeguarding was discussed only in terms of the activi-
ties of craftsmen related to producing craft and passing their skills and
knowledge onto others, not as preservation of craft objects3. Although the
transmission process of crafts has been thoroughly analyzed by UNESCO
Living Human Treasures System, the usability and adaptability of crafts
to contemporary life and architecture have received much less attention.
Regrettably, the perception of the work of building masters as the practi-
tioners of building crafts has been limited into the restoration practices.
Therefore, the scientific effort to define new practice areas other than res-
toration for craftsmen to implement building crafts needs to be increased.

On the UNESCO’s official website, the decline in the numbers of the prac-
titioners of traditional craftsmanship is recognized as one of the biggest
threats to the viability of intangible cultural heritage. In this regard, Ar-
ticle 2.3 of the UNESCO 2003 Convention emphasizes “transmission” as
one of the safeguarding measures aiming at ensuring the viability of this
heritage. Because the conservation of intangible cultural heritage neces-
sitates the continuous practice and the transmission of the knowledge to
future generations, living practitioners need to be identified and the ap-
propriate ways for practicing need to be provided. Therefore, already be-
fore the 2003 Convention, in 1993, UNESCO launched a new program in-
troducing the concept of “Living Human Treasures”; and, afterwards, pre-
pared a guide entitled Guidelines for the Establishment of National Living
Human Treasures System (UNESCO 2002).

After drawing up the general guidelines of this system, UNESCO also en-
courages Member States to establish their national systems of “Living Hu-
man Treasures” and formulates the specific “guidelines for the establish-
ment of national Living Human Treasures System”4 to be followed by the
States. Within these guidelines, a preliminary measure for safeguarding
the intangible cultural heritage is to ensure its identification by drawing
up national inventories. But, after this identification stage, it is significant
to guarantee that the bearers of heritage, like master craftsmen, develop
their knowledge and skills and transmit them to younger generations. In

2 See http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00061&lg=EN
3 See https://ich.unesco.org/en/traditional-craftsmanship-00057
4 See https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/00031-EN.pdf

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 Craft, Technology and Design

national contexts, these measures necessitate finding and organizing liv-

ing builders, some of whom will be given official recognition, creating ap-
propriate conditions and institutions for practicing master-apprentice re-
lationships, documenting their knowledge and integrating these practices
and documentation into the conservation practices.

Within these guidelines, “transmission”, “documentation” and “promotion”

are highly emphasized as the measures for a sustainable safeguarding of
traditional craftsmanship. Considering transmission, training as formal
or informal education is significant to ensure that the knowledge and skills
are transmitted from craftsmen to young people or apprentices. Accord-
ing to the UNESCO 2003 Convention, Each State Party needs to establish
a specific educational and training program within the communities as
well as non-formal means of transmitting knowledge. The new technology
needs to be used as a tool for training people and raising awareness about
the different aspects of craftsmanship.

As regards “documentation”, the appropriate documentation of the knowl-

edge and skills of craftsmen using available methods, like collection, cat-
aloguing, transcription, is needed, as also stated in Article 13 in UNESCO
2013 Convention. Furthermore, the establishment of the inventories of in-
stitutions, archives, documentation systems, and museums, and the train-
ing of collectors, archivists, documentalists, and other specialists are rec-
ommended within the guidelines. The new technology needs to be inte-
grated into the documentation processes to achieve a holistic understand-
ing of craftsmanship.

In relation to “promotion” it is recommended in the guidelines to ensure

public awareness about the importance of intangible cultural heritage and
its safeguarding by (1) regularly organizing performances, demonstrations,
exhibitions; (2) enabling research and publishing of printed, audio, vid-
eo and multi-media documents related to the intangible cultural herit-
age and its bearers; and (3) integrating intangible cultural heritage in-
to educational curricula. Considering “promotion”, new technology needs
to be used both in exhibitions and publishing of the documents related to
craftsmanship.

Besides these conservation measures, “revitalization” is also highlighted

within the UNESCO 2003 Convention. It is especially significant for the
disappearing elements of intangible cultural heritage. For various reasons,
e.g., rapid change and technology, certain elements of intangible heritage
can change and disappear. Then, the revitalization of these disappearing
practices with their genuine qualities of the relations of tangible and intan-
gible values is needed for their conservation. New technology can contrib-
ute to the revitalization of heritage elements by using multimedia integra-
tion, digital museum and virtual representation technologies.

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 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

Considering the UNESCO documents, the most significant issues in the

conservation of traditional building craftsmanship can be summarized as
follows: (1) the holistic documentation approaches for traditional building
craftsmanship, (2) the awareness rising about local building culture and
building masters on the society, (3) the development of specific approach-
es for the revitalization of master-apprentice relationship as a way for the
continuation of knowledge, (4) the improvement of the active participation
of the masters to the building and conservation activities in historic envi-
ronments (Karakul 2015, 153).

An Integrated Approach to the Conservation of Building

Crafts
A discussion on the conservation and sustainability of building crafts in
relation to technology needs to understand local building culture within
an integrated approach with its constitutive elements composed of tangi-
ble and intangible aspects, including their relations throughout the forma-
tion and change process of the traditional architecture. The integrated ap-
proach of this study is mainly based on the comprehension of the genuine
qualities created by the mutual interrelations between tangible and intan-
gible values of building crafts, specifically, architectural qualities and tra-
ditional craftsmanship.

Building crafts through architectural process

Building culture5 as part of culture, which is a complicated and chang-

ing whole, can be dismantled into its more concrete components, both
tangible and intangible ones, to be understood systematically (Karakul,
2011). The intangible aspects of building culture include certain “struc-
turing structures” and the cultural expressions within it (Karakul, 2011).
The structuring structures in building culture, composed of the technol-
ogy and knowledge of the local builders, have the formative power on the
intangible values concretized mainly on the building technology and ver-
nacular architectural language in a historic environment. The integrity of
building culture is constituted by the interrelations between the elements
of intangible cultural heritage, like traditional crafts composed of tech-
niques and know-how, technics (Pultar, 1997, 27–32) and methods, skills,
craftmanship, and the elements of tangible heritage, like, the use of build-
ing materials, construction details, building elements, architectural ele-
ments, and decorative elements (Figure 1).

5 Culture can be divided into three groups according to their expression types over
the built environment as ‘living culture’, ‘building culture’, and ‘value systems’,
each of which has also two constitutive parts as the ‘structuring structures’ and
intangible values (Karakul, 2011).

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 Craft, Technology and Design

Figure 1. The intangible and tangible elements of building culture

(Karakul, 2018)

The term ‘traditional craftsmanship’ physically reflects the skills and

know-how of craftsman or artist. Culturally, it possesses expressive as-
pects conveying various hidden meanings attributed by craftsman and lo-
cal people (Karakul, 2015). In this respect, it can be stated that tradition-
al craftsmanship meets both ‘functional’ and ‘expressive’ needs. Function-
al needs are related to the physical and mechanical aspects of the build-
ing production process. These include bringing building materials to con-
struction sites, and after processing, putting them into their place in the
building, and techniques and tools particular to this process related to
technical skills of craftsmen (Blagg, 1976, 154; Marchand, 2007, 82). On
the other side, expressive needs are related to “mental representations”
(Marchand, 2007, 191) of craftsmen conveyed to the physical characteris-
tics through design process. The expressive aspects of craftsmanship are
the reflection of the cultural values, values judgments and the worldview
of builder and society, and at the same time, they also include the individ-
ual diversities and creativities (Aran, 2000, 122).

Architectural process in tradition

The traditional architectural process can be defined as a complex and

changing process through which different tangible and intangible ele-
ments of traditional craftsmanship have continuously been interrelat-
ed to produce local and contextual architecture for centuries (Figure 2).
The mutual interrelations have created a unique and authentic architec-
ture formed by local environmental specifics and the needs of inhabitants
through the hands of local master craftsmen. The formation process of tra-
ditional buildings can be divided into two parts, design and construction
process, to understand the variety of crafts interrelated with architecture.

The design process expresses an envisaging phase of the formation pro-

cess of buildings which is mainly carried out by the mental schemata and

137
 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

knowledge of builders and technology (Karakul & Bakırer, 2018) (Figure

2). With regard to the design process, Hubka (1979) states that folk design
method is carried exclusively in the mind of builders and continued by tra-
dition –the handing down of information by word of mouth, observation,
replication and apprenticeship. Rules and traditions in folk design meth-
od are in the minds of its builders as a kind of highly abstracted architec-
tural grammar, or schemata. Certainly, the transmission of the knowledge
of masters to their apprentices assures the continuation of the local build-
ing tradition. Hubka (1975, 28) also stresses that the native builders share
a strategy for generating design out of schemata as a continuous process
of composition and decomposition within a vocabulary of existing build-
ing forms. In every stage of the production process of architecture from
spatial organization to spatial characteristics, architectural elements and
decorative elements, the mental schemata of craftsmen develop the appro-
priate solutions by evaluating the needs, expectations of people, cultural
practices and expressions and environmental characteristics.

Throughout the formation process of traditional buildings, the design pro-

cess carried out by building craftsmen directly affects the relations be-
tween architectural properties and building crafts through construction
process. For example, the construction process of traditional buildings in
Anatolia is mainly constituted by two processes: the construction of struc-
tural system and building elements, composed of foundations, walls, floors
and roof; and non-structural system, composed of infill walls, architectur-
al elements, decorative elements and finishing materials (Figure 2). The
structural system of traditional buildings is generally determined by
building masters having the knowledge of traditional building craftsman-
ship within the limitations of environmental conditions and local building
materials. In Anatolia, traditional buildings are generally constructed by
the use of three structural systems, i.e, stone masonry, timber frame sys-
tem and mud-brick masonry.

Figure 2. Architectural process in tradition (Karakul, 2018)

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 Craft, Technology and Design

After the construction of the structural system, the non-structural system

of the buildings is formed by the craftsmen having the knowledge on dif-
ferent craftsmanships. While the construction of infill walls is carried out
by building craftsmen constructing the structural systems, architectural
elements and decorative elements are generally constructed by the crafts-
men experienced on different craftsmanships, particularly, stone, wood,
metal, glazed tile, glass, wall painting craftsmanship. Throughout the con-
struction process, after the construction of structural system and infill
walls, architectural elements, like doors, windows, cabinets, lattice, and
railings are made by carpenters and metal craftsmen (Figure 3). Lastly,
decorative elements, like architectural ornaments, geometrical and floral
ornaments on the edges of architectural elements and building elements,
are made.

Figure 3. Interrelations between building crafts and architecture through

construction process (Karakul, 2018)

Change process in building technology and

conservation problems
Historic environments have been radically changed because of the inter-
ruptions in building tradition and the new developments in building tech-
nology throughout 20th century. In the early period of 20th century, the
drastic changes in building technologies and the lifestyles of the socie-
ties began to emerge. Accordingly, the role of local builders on conveying
the cultural expressions of societies into architecture by using tradition-
al craftsmanship was considerably changed. The variety of the traditional
buildings produced by craftsmen considering local cultural and environ-
mental features have been replaced with the monotony of new buildings
produced in uniform architectural language.

139
 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

The rapid change in building technology and the value systems of crafts-
men affected on the implementation of building crafts in architecture and
the attributed cultural expressions. The change in building technology, the
knowledge and value systems of craftsmen caused by technological, eco-
nomic and cultural change of historic environments has deeply affected
the relations between crafts and architecture (Karakul, 2018).Throughout
the transformation process, with the introduction of new building technol-
ogies, certain building crafts, like traditional building craftsmanship, have
completely disappeared; some crafts, like metal craftsmanship, carpentry,
wood craftsmanship, have changed as regards their implementation, tools
and the materials used. Besides, new and contemporary interpretations of
crafts have started to be implemented by craftsmen and artists.

Nowadays, the interruption of the traditional building process has restrict-

ed the area of implementation of building crafts into the restoration prac-
tices only (Karakul & Bakırer, 2018). In rapidly changing conditions, the
decrease of demand for building crafts brought with it the need for defin-
ing the appropriate practice areas for the building crafts. Building masters
and the craftsmen experienced on building crafts have still been working
within the restoration practices and carried out crafts by the use of tradi-
tional techniques, methods, tools and materials. However, the craftsmen
have been obliged to compete with the products and practices of modern
industrialization (UNESCO, 2005). Nowadays, most craftsmen are still
using traditional skills with traditional technology; they have to strug-
gle with machines and time (UNESCO, 2005). So, for the conservation of
building crafts, what is needed is to define new domains in which crafts-
men and craftsmanship can be benefited in contemporary life besides res-
toration practices.

Technology and the Holistic Conservation of Traditional

Craftsmanship
The measures of the conservation of cultural heritage can be separated
into two domains that are linked with tangible and intangible cultural
heritage respectively. Focusing on traditional craftsmanship, as empha-
sized within the guidelines for the establishment of national Living Hu-
man Treasures System and UNESCO 2003 Convention, “transmission”,
“documentation”, “revitalization” and “promotion” are highly accentuated
as the measures for a sustainable safeguarding. While these measures are
reconsidered within the holistic approach of the study, both tangible and
intangible values of the craftsmanship need to be evaluated to develop
specific conservation measures. The study tries to investigate the effects
of digital technology on the conservation measures of the different aspects
of craftsmanship.

140
 Craft, Technology and Design

The developments in technology during the last decades have deeply af-
fected the domain of cultural heritage, specifically in museums and ar-
chaeological sites (Tabone, 2019, 47). Since 1990’s digital technology has
made remarkable achievements in the conservation of cultural herit-
age (Zhou, Geng & Wu, 2012,5). Considering the safeguarding measures,
namely, “transmission”, “documentation”, “revitalization” and “promotion”
as mentioned above, digital technology contributes to all of these conser-
vation measures. Particularly focusing on traditional craftsmanship as the
main theme of this study, both the tangible and intangible values of crafts-
manship can be documented and taught accurately with the integration of
digital technology into the safeguarding measures.

Zhou, Geng and Wu, (2012, 4) divide the digitalization technologies used
for cultural heritage conservation in five groups:

(1)integrated storage and access techniques, (2) categorization and

digital archives of cultural heritage, and digital techniques to build
cultural resource databases (3) virtual museums, virtual recon-
struction and rehabilitation of cultural relics, digital simulation and
visualization technology of the cultural spaces and procedures (4)
the technology to recreate the lifestyle, practice, consumption, cur-
rency, transmission and the continuity of the traditional craftsman-
ship, (5) the pattern and technology to display and the transmit the
digital cultural heritag”.

From these digitalization technologies, the first two ones are especial-
ly significant for the inventory and documentation of both tangible and
intangible cultural heritage. The third one is a digitalization technolo-
gy which is related particularly to the revitalization of both tangible and
intangible heritage aspects in museum context. The fourth one makes it
clear that the digitalization technology contributes especially to the revi-
talization of intangible cultural heritage. Digital technology also facilitates
displaying and transmitting the digitally documented cultural heritage.

Digital technology and the holistic conservation of traditional

craftsmanship

As regards its effects on tangible and intangible cultural heritage, digi-

tal technology can be divided in three main groups described as follows
by Zhou, Geng and Wu (2012, 8) (Figure 4): “digital information acquisi-
tion and processing technology, information databases and digital exhi-
bition platform, virtual representation technology to restore cultural her-
itage. The study at hand evaluates the different aspects of digital technol-
ogy in the context of conservation measures determined for the different

141
 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

aspects of traditional craftsmanship. As described above, these measures

are transmission, documentation, revitalization and promotion, intro-
duced within the UNESCO Convention and guidelines (Figure 5).

Traditional technologies used for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage

are mainly written text, audio recording, video, and photography. These
have been used considerably for documenting and conserving the intan-
gible values of traditional craftsmanship a long time. Video and photog-
raphy have also been used for the documentation of tangible heritage and
the tangible aspects of traditional craftsmanship. But, because of the de-
terioration of video and tape recordings over time, a long-term preserva-
tion of the recordings has not been possible. By means of digital technolo-
gy, both tangible and intangible aspects of traditional craftsmanship can
be easily preserved within information databases.

Information databases and digital exhibition possibilities have emerged as

a digital museum approach integrating many kinds of intangible cultural
heritage elements using the new technology such as multimedia integra-
tion, digital photography, and virtual reality (Zhou, Geng & Wu, 2012, 8).
Especially extended reality technologies, specifically augmented reality,
virtual reality and mixed reality technologies enable to make cultural her-
itage digitally accessible anywhere. Extended reality technologies provide
to create environments including real and virtual and human-machine in-
teractions generated by computer technology within museums. Extended
reality technologies have been utilized in the domain of cultural heritage
for education, exhibition, the reconstruction of lost experiences, virtual
museums, and explorations (Tabone, 2019, 48–49).

The digital museum approach also facilitates the documentation and pro-
motion of tangible values of the cultural heritage. Focusing on traditional
craftsmanship, the documentation of techniques, skills, knowledge, tools,
and craftsmanship of the craftsmen together with building elements, ar-
chitectural elements and decorative elements helps to conserve them holis-
tically. Especially for the intangible aspects of craftsmanship, digital tech-
nology helps to document and revitalize them accurately.

Virtual representation technology is especially significant for revitalizing

intangible cultural heritage alongside the comprehension of the tangible
values of the cultural heritage. It allows to understand and reproduce the
original integrity of the relations between tangible and intangible values
within each context . Considering traditional craftsmanship, this technol-
ogy helps to explain the production process of craftsmen, the transmission
process of knowledge between master and apprentices by reproducing it
realistically. In this sense, digital museums present specific contexts em-
bodying the holistic conservation of tangible and intangible cultural herit-
age with the use of text, recording, image, video, and virtual reality.

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 Craft, Technology and Design

Figure 4. Technologies used in conservation developed following Zhou,

Geng and Wu’s approach (2012) by the author.

Figure 5. Relationship between technology and the conservation

of traditional craftsmanship.

Technology and the transmission-education of traditional

craftsmanship

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 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

Transmission as a safeguarding measure for intangible cultural heritage

means the transfer to future generations of the practitioners’ knowledge
of different elements of intangible cultural heritage. Particularly focus-
ing on traditional craftsmanship, transmission is related to the transfer of
knowledge, skills and know-how between master and apprentices for the
continuity of craftsmanship. Education, both formal and non-formal, has
a significant role in the transmission process of traditional craftsmanship.
Technology emerges here as an educational tool for the transfer of knowl-
edge. Using online learning resources and creating virtual context for re-
vitalizing the original working environment of craftsmen can help to un-
derstand the know-how and methods used by craftsmen in the past.

Museums are appropriate places for public education to promote the sus-
tainability of intangible cultural heritage utilizing digital technologies
(Kim, Im, Lee & Choi, 2019, 6). The application of digital technologies in
museums enriches visitor’s museum experience allowing hands-on expe-
rience and enhances interactivity in museums contributing to the edu-
cation of cultural heritage (ibid. 6). Especially the use of VR technology
with a head-mounted device to immerse into virtual reality contributes to
active participation of visitors and educational effect of museums (ibid.,
9). VR technology is also used for training and education of various ele-
ments of traditional craftsmanship, since it makes possible active partic-
ipation of users through the craft production process in virtual environ-
ment (ibid., 14).

When living building masters perform their traditions, skills and crafts-
manship within museums or educational institutions, visitors or appren-
tices learn from them the process of production. On the other hand, espe-
cially for the disappearing craftmanship, using the participatory methods
hand in hand with technologies as a learning tool provides a more direct
interaction in terms of learning and transmission for researchers, appren-
tices and people to understand the knowledge of craftsmen. Actually it is
thought that modern technologies cannot replace human interaction in
the transmission of intangible heritage, even though they can contribute
to the processes of dissemination among young generations (Alivizatou-
Barakou et al., 2017, 6). Playful learning technologies appeals to students’
curiosity and willingness to learn the different elements of cultural herit-
age. The use of mixed reality technologies also encourages the interaction
with the cultural heritage elements improving the visitor’s experience. Vir-
tual elements such as “guide maps, descriptions or virtual-human char-
acters” support the users in visualizing and exploring heritage elements
and provide new knowledge (Tabone, 2019, 49). These virtual elements al-
so facilitate the reconstruction of historic collapsed or ruined buildings ,
and enable to visualize and interact with the reconstructed views of both
tangible and intangible cultural heritage (Tabone, 2019, 50; Cosmas et.al.,
2003). They also allow users to obtain information about the construction

144
 Craft, Technology and Design

techniques of the historic buildings and traditional craftsmanship during

the exploration.

Figure. 6. Digital technologies used in Archeoguide project

(Source: Brizard, Derde, Silberman, 2007, 7)

Technology and the documentation of traditional craftsmanship

Documentation as a significant safeguarding measure needs to be car-

ried out for both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, even though
each requires using different methodologies. In the case of the tradition-
al craftsmanship embodied in architecture, the documentation of tangible
features can be done by using architectural documentation methodologies.
On the other hand, the documentation of the intangible values, like the
techniques, skills and know-how of the craftsmen, can be carried out by
using ethnographic research methods and photographic and audio-video
documentation (Karakul, 2011, Alivizatou-Barakou et al., 2017). The docu-
mentation of the intangible aspects of traditional craftsmanship also ben-
efits greatly from new technologies to get across the process of production
with the used techniques, methods, tools and know-how of the craftsmen.

The documentation of the intangible values of traditional craftsmanship

necessitates to deeply understand the production process of craftsmen.
To understand and document the process of production accurately, virtu-
al reality technologies facilitate the reproduction of traditional craftsman-
ship with regard to the working process of craftsmen, the use of materials,
techniques and tools, their know-how and skills realistically (Zhou, Geng
& Wu, 2012, 12).

Digital technologies can be used in museum exhibitions to increase the ac-

cessibility of intangible cultural heritage and thus to contribute to the pub-
lic understanding of the elements of it. They enable three dimensional and
realistic experiences in which the users can feel and interact with multiple
senses (Kim et. al., 2019, 2). Considering traditional craftsmanship, digi-
tal museum can contribute to all conservation measures by providing the

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 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

revitalization of the original environment of the working process of crafts-

men and the construction process of historic buildings. Digital museum
can include the different elements of traditional craftsmanship as to the
process of production with the help of new technologies, such as multi-
media integration, digital photography and virtual reality (Zhou, Geng &
Wu 2012, 10). Besides, virtual museums simulate physical museums and
cultural heritage sites with their tangible and intangible elements (Tabo-
ne, 2019, 51).

On the other hand, for the revitalization of the tangible values of crafts-
manship embodied within the ruined historic buildings, digital technol-
ogies provide new possibilities using different ways of exhibiting. The re-
construction of historic buildings including expressing the original con-
text and the characteristics of the building and the different craftsman-
ship embodied within can easily be made by using digital technologies (Ta-
bone, 2019, 51). Digital photography and 3D scanning facilitate the docu-
mentation of architectural complexes, buildings, and their tangible fea-
tures, like the architectural ornaments, structural systems, and construc-
tion techniques by craftsmen.

As mentioned before, the holistic conservation approach of this study ne-

cessitates the evaluation of the information about tangible and intangi-
ble values obtained by using different methodologies together. The digital
technology plays a critical role in this elaborate evaluation of information
obtained by using different methodologies together to develop the accurate
and holistic conservation approaches. In the evaluation of the documen-
tation of the different aspects of traditional craftsmanship, virtual reality
technologies and multimedia can be used effectively.

The digital technology also facilitates online archives and databases as a

part of national inventories, raising awareness of the importance of tra-
ditional craftsmanship among local communities. They may contain pho-
tographic and audio-visual documentation and use participatory and in-
teractive tools to give experience of the implementation process of crafts.

Technology and the revitalization of traditional craftsmanship

Revitalization is especially significant conservation measure for the dis-

appearing and radically changing elements of intangible cultural heritage.
The critical issue in revitalization is to conserve and sustain the genuine
qualities of the relationships between the tangible and intangible values
of the heritage element. New technology can contribute to the revitaliza-
tion of both kind of values of craftsmanship by using multimedia integra-
tion, digital museum and virtual representation technology.

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 Craft, Technology and Design

Considering the revitalization of the tangible values of craftsmanship, the

digital reconstructions of historic buildings can benefit of 3D modeling
displaying the construction techniques and the materials used by build-
ing masters. Since the 1990s, the digital reconstructions of archaeological
remains have been used to regenerate the historic buildings within their
original context virtually. A digital reconstruction made at the archaeolog-
ical site of Ename in Belgium is one of the first digital applications com-
bining live video with overlaid 3D reconstructions to allow viewers to un-
derstand the history of the site (Brizard, Derde & Silberman, 2007, 13).

Figure 7. Digital reconstruction at the archeological site of Ename

(Brizard, Derde & Silberman, 2007, 3)

The revitalization of the intangible values of traditional craftsmanship

can be achieved by using digital virtual reality technologies such as mul-
timedia virtual scene modeling and virtual scene coordination display,
through which the production process of craftsmen and transmission of
their know-how can be accessed(Zhou, Geng & Wu, 2012, 10). 3D visual-
ization technology, specifically, motion capture technologies can be used
for the detailed documentation of hand and finger movement during the
creation process of craftsmen (Alivizatou-Barakou et al., 2017, 23). Digital
museum can also contribute to the revitalization of the different aspects
of traditional craftsmanship with the help of technologies, such as multi-
media integration, digital photography, and virtual reality (Zhou, Geng &
Wu, 2012, 10).

Particularly, VR technology facilitates the revitalization of traditional

craftsmanship as regards master-apprentice relations in virtual environ-
ment providing active participation of users to the construction process
of traditional buildings. The users can follow building master’s guidelines
to make building materials using hand controllers and choose an option

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 Traditional Craftsmanship in Architecture, Conservation and Technology

among different activities in construction process to practice (Kim et al.,

2019, 14).

With regard to the documentation and revitalization of the tangible ele-

ments of architecture and traditional craftsmanship, such as architectural
elements, decorative elements, digital technology, specifically virtual rep-
resentation technology, can contribute to the reproduction and promotion
of a destroyed building, like a temple (Zhou et al., 2017, 19).

Technology and the promotion of traditional craftsmanship

Promotion as a significant safeguarding measure for both tangible and in-

tangible cultural heritage aims to raise awareness about the values of cul-
tural heritage. Focusing on the promotion of traditional craftsmanship
as a branch of intangible cultural heritage, it is recommended to ensure
public awareness about its safeguarding by (1) regularly organizing per-
formances, demonstrations, exhibitions; (2) enabling research and pub-
lishing of printed, audio, video and multi-media documents related to the
traditional craftsmanship and its bearers; and (3) integrating traditional
craftsmanship into educational curricula. Digital technology can be used
in exhibitions and museums to provide different ways of exhibiting, for ex-
ample by using multimedia creating a virtual reality environment to raise
awareness of tangible and intangible aspects of craftsmanship. It also con-
tributes to the preparation of research and publishing of the documents re-
lated to craftsmanship and developing educational understanding of the
traditional craftsmanship.

Discussion and Conclusion

The technological developments have not been comprehensively applied
in the conservation of intangible cultural heritage. This might be due to
its relatively new identification within the UNESCO 2003 Convention in
comparison to tangible heritage. This situation has caused to proceed with
conservation processes of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sepa-
rately differentiating the effects of technology on them. However, the con-
servation process needs to be carried out holistically integrating tangible
and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. So, the effects of technology
over the conservation process need to be investigated with regard to the
use of new technology for the conservation of both tangible and intangi-
ble heritage elements.

Throughout the conservation process, four safeguarding measures, trans-

mission/education, documentation, revitalization, and promotion, as men-
tioned above, are highlighted within the international documents. This
study advances that technological developments, especially the rapid

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 Craft, Technology and Design

improvements in digital technology, have contributed to the processes of

transmission, documentation, revitalization, and promotion of both tangi-
ble and intangible heritage values. Digital technology that has been devel-
oped in recent years has contributed to the conservation of cultural herit-
age and its study in different ways. The role of digital technology is espe-
cially significant when aim is to unify conservation studies still unfortu-
nately divided in two separate domains as the study of tangible and intan-
gible heritage. Particularly by focusing on traditional craftsmanship, this
study detailed the different aspects of technology used through the pro-
cesses of conservation of both its tangible and intangible values. On all ac-
counts, it tried to integrate them in a holistic perspective.

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