On “Arogi” Buildings’ Structural System and Construction Procedure after the 1953 Earthquake in Kefalonia

Abstract

After the series of earthquakes in August 1953, most of Kefalonia’s building stock totally collapsed. The buildings that emerged as a result of a collective effort are commonly referred to as “arogi” buildings, with the term arogi meaning help or assistance. In this way, merely referring to these structures is a direct mention to the circumstances under which they were constructed. The reconstruction of the building stock of the island was based in a series of building types proposed from the authorities, and proceeded replacing the richness of the architectural forms that stood before the earthquake, with austere but necessary settlements. Nevertheless, it is these buildings that constitute today’s image of the island. This study wishes to introduce us to the “arogi” buildings structural system, as it was applied in Kefalonia after the 1953 earthquake, with reference to recent bibliography and the recent experience of the 2014 earthquake. The purpose of setting the grounds for such research would be to highlight the effectiveness of this structural system. Moreover, to emphasize the fact that “arogi” buildings and their construction procedure incorporate Kefalonia’s recent history and have eventually produced today’s available “traditional” architecture of the island.

Keywords

• arogi buildings
• 1953 earthquake
• confined masonry
• Kefalonia