Preserving sacred space A microclimate study of the

Preserving sacred space: A microclimate study of the Shrine of the Bab, a Baha’i holy site. Blake Campbell & Patrick Ravines Baha’i World Centre, Conservation Office Haifa, Israel

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre l Introduction l Problems related to excess moisture l Monitoring Temperature & Relative Humidity l Results & Findings l Conclusions

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre l Introduction – Shrine’s current setting and environs – Structures composing the shrine Early structures & l Super structure l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre The Shrine of the Bab with its colonnade, golden dome, and terraced gardens.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre The terraces of the shrine extending from the foot to the crest of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Westerly view Northerly & downward view

Shrine of the Bab l Formal gardens around the shrine. Baha’i World Centre

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre l Introduction – Shrine’s current setting and environs – Structures composing the shrine Early structures & l Super structure l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Ø_____ The original structure of the shrine built by Abdu’l-Baha n 1909, half-way up the barren slope of Mount Carmel.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Original structure of the shrine in 1909.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre The shrine with rooms added by Shoghi Effendi, 1939.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Floor plan Rooms 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9 - first construction in 1909. Rooms 3, 4 & 5 – second construction in 1939.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre The colonnade under construction, 1950.

Shrine of the Bab Workmen building the platform above the stone edifice, 1950. Baha’i World Centre The octagon with its pinnacles and balustrade, 1952.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre The shrine with its superstructure completed, 1953.

Shrine of the Bab l Introduction l Excess moisture – Early structure – Superstructure l Monitoring T & RH l Results & Findings l Conclusions Baha’i World Centre

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Shrine of the Bab, room # 1. Widespread damage to the tile floor caused by moisture-induced salt migration.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room 1: Tile damage & salt deposition

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room 6: Tile damage Flaking & concoidal spalling of the Hand-sized fracture due to surface and subsurface layers of subflorescence. the tile. Damage occurs both in the center and on edges.

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room 8: Wall & floor moisture

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Outer walls of original structure

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Superstructure moisture

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Ø Where is the excess moisture coming from? Ø Noticed as early as 1941 and still exists. Ø Views & opinions: – Engineers: condensation – Custodian: underground water – Conservators: monitor & study

Shrine of the Bab l Introduction l Excess moisture l Monitoring T & RH l Results & Findings l Conclusions Baha’i World Centre

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room 8 monitored Period: ~14 months Sensors: Hobo HO 8 data loggers, T, RH & light Loggers 1, 2 & 3 – on floor Loggers 4, 5 & 7 – 2 m high 8 -bit res 8 Kb mem T: +0. 7°C RH: +5% t: 6 & 8 min

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Weather station on NE corner of Terrace 10 Ø Collects: Ø Ø T, RH, soil T, leaf wetness, air pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, wind speed & direction Ø t: every 12 minutes

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre l Introduction l Excess moisture l Monitoring T & RH l Results & Findings – Time series: view all T & RH data vs. time. – Diurnal cycles: data averaged by time of day (annual and monthly) – Histograms: Count the number of measurements that fall within a certain range – Dew Points l Conclusions

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Temperature Time Series T data of logger #4 & weather station on Terrace 10. l Building’s moderating influence on room temperature. l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Temperature Time Series Graph (d) - data of logger 4 & weather station on Terrace 10. l Obvious trend - temperature's strong seasonal dependence. l Note building’s moderating influence on room temperature. l Room well mixed. l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Temperature values Logger # T mean T max T min 1 21. 0 28. 7 13. 7 2 21. 2 28. 7 11. 8 3 21. 1 27. 9 12. 6 4 20. 8 28. 3 7. 8 5 21. 8 28. 7 12. 2 7 21. 8 30. 3 12. 6 T-10(WS) 20. 9 37. 3 5. 6

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Relative Humidity Time Series RH data of logger #4 & weather station on Terrace 10. l Building’s moderating influence on RH. l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Relative Humidity Time Series Graph (d) - data of logger 4 & weather station on Terrace 10. l Building’s moderating influence on the humidity. l Room well mixed. l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Relative Humidity values Logger # RH mean RH max RH min 1 58. 4 81. 0 23. 4 2 59. 0 81. 9 23. 4 3 59. 7 83. 5 23. 4 4 64. 5 95. 7 23. 4 5 61. 7 87. 3 23. 4 7 60. 2 89. 6 23. 4 T-10(WS) 75. 9 99. 0 11. 0

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Annual histogram of temperature Bimodal frequency distribution for the year from October 2002 to 2003 l Reflects Mediterranean climate, long summers and winters but short transition seasons. l

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Annual histogram of Relative Humidity

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Time & high humidity Logger RH > 60% RH > 75% # % obs Days/yr 1 53. 4 194. 9 2. 4 8. 9 2 54. 6 199. 3 4. 7 17. 1 3 55. 9 203. 9 9. 3 34. 0 4 71. 9 262. 4 21. 5 78. 5 5 65. 3 238. 4 10. 5 38. 3 7 59. 4 216. 9 8. 0 29. 0

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre l Efflorescence salts: Na 2 CO 3 & Na. Cl Salts T (⁰C) RH saturation Na 2 CO 3 10 H 2 O 18. 5 92% Na 2 CO 3 10 H 2 O 24. 5 87% Na. Cl 23 75. 5%

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room Temp Dew point (Calculated)

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Room Temp Dew point (Calculated)

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Conclusions: l Condensation – No l Interstitial condensation – – Likely & if so, minor l Other water sources – – Ground water – Irrigation water & – Rain water

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Conclusions: l Further study – – Local geological features with ground penetrating radar – Cistern on west side x

Shrine of the Bab Baha’i World Centre Thank you - Grazie