1st Croatian Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1CroCEE 2021

Cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is a unique expression of human achievement in the past and provides invaluable insights into our evolution and identities. The meaning and the treatment of cultural heritage through the history has been constantly exposed to changes but in the last century it finally takes the rightful place.
Historical buildings, monuments and archeological sites are constantly exposed to the adverse impacts of natural factors. In high seismicity areas, earthquakes were the dominant factor which cause damage and partial or complete collapse on many historic structures.
Protection of cultural heritage is multidisciplinary task that combines tradition with modern techniques and includes professionals from different fields. Generally speaking, the process of historical buildings protection is radically different and more complex than the repair process of common structures, due to the priority of preserving the aesthetic, architectural and historical values in relation to keep the building functionality.
A team of experts from different fields, such as archaeologists, conservators, civil engineers, art historians and other professionals, is vital for successful protection of every historical monument, but the architect is the one who coordinate the whole process and unite all the participants.
This paper aims to present the methodology for proper and effective protection of historic buildings in seismically active regions, primarily through the coordinating role of the architect. It highlights not only that the architects needs to develop a wide array of skills and knowledge to carry out any work on historical buildings and sites, but also that an architect have an essential role in identifying the potential challenges and opportunities of historic buildings, extend its lifetime and enhance the values.