Iscarsah
The International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage — a technical committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
Promoting the careful stewardship of architectural heritage.
Members of Iscarsah are internationally renowned engineers, architects, scientists, specialists and educators, with representation across the five continents.
Promote international co-operation.
Establish guidelines and/or recommendations.
Gather, study and disseminate knowledge and information.
Organize and participate in the organization of international training programs.
Promote cooperative work with the other scientific committees of ICOMOS.
Provide expertise of qualified professionals and specialists.
Recent posts
Join Our Webinar: Heritage Restoration in Africa
Iscarsah webinar in partnership with ICOMOS Africa — 22 June 2026, 14:00 CEST, online via Zoom.
Nov 4, 2025Iscarsah Webinar — Analysis to Action: Current Iscarsah Initiatives
Friday, December 5th 2025, 2:00–3:30 PM UTC.
Oct 27, 2025Iscarsah at the ICOMOS General Assembly 2025 in Lumbini, Nepal
President Prof. Paulo B. Lourenço joined colleagues at the AGA sessions and the Scientific Symposium "Perceptions of Heritage and Resilience."
Founded by ICOMOS in 1996, in service of built heritage.
The International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (Iscarsah) was founded by ICOMOS in 1996 as a forum and network for engineers and architects involved in the restoration and care of building heritage. The first meeting of the Iscarsah took place at the Engineering University in Rome in March of 1997, and the committee has met twice a year since then in venues all over the world.
Members of the Iscarsah are composed of internationally renowned engineers, architects, scientists, specialists, and educators with representation of the five continents.
The Committee has authored the ICOMOS Charter – Principles for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage (Iscarsah Principles), which were ratified by the ICOMOS 14th General Assembly in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in October of 2003. Iscarsah continues to work on the Guidelines, which are to be used in tandem with the Principles for those involved with technical aspects of preservation.
PDF formats of the Iscarsah Principles can be found in the section of this website, in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Bosnian, Arabic, Farsi, Georgian and Slovenian.
Iscarsah founded by ICOMOS.
First meeting held at the Engineering University in Rome, March 1997.
Iscarsah Principles ratified by the ICOMOS 14th General Assembly, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Past Presidents
Tracing Iscarsah's leadership since its founding in 1996.
Giorgio Croci
President
Pere Roca
President
Stephen Kelley & Claudio Modena
Co-Presidents
Stephen Kelley
President
Görün Arun
President
Our Bureau
Paulo Lourenço
Portugal
Nicoletta Bianchini
United Kingdom
Evan Speer
United States
Meltem Vatan
Turkey
Tom Morrison
Canada
Mehrdad Hejazi
Iran
Radu Cazamir
Romania
Iscarsah's Annual Meetings
Watch full sessions from past Iscarsah Annual Meetings, recorded and shared on the Iscarsah YouTube channel.
Members
Where Our Members Serve
Hover over — or tap, on mobile — a highlighted country to see the Iscarsah Member(s) based there.
Members
Public DirectoryNews
Join Our Webinar: Heritage Restoration in Africa
May 27, 2026
Iscarsah Webinar in partnership with ICOMOS Africa — Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage. 22 June 2026, 14:00 CEST, online via Zoom.
Iscarsah is pleased to announce its upcoming webinar, organized in partnership with ICOMOS Africa, dedicated to important heritage work across the African continent.
The webinar will bring together Iscarsah colleagues and invited panellists to discuss structural analysis, conservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of architectural heritage in Africa, with case studies from Algeria, Zanzibar, Ghana, and Egypt.
Panellists include: Amina Abdessemed-FOUFA, Michel Chalhoub, Benjamin Afagbegee, and Dalia Elsorady.
Registration: https://bit.ly/41cMuy4 — For more information, please contact chilangwa.chaiwa@icomos.org.
Iscarsah Webinar — Analysis to Action: Current Iscarsah Initiatives
Nov 4, 2025
Upcoming Webinar Announcement.
The International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (Iscarsah) invites you to join the webinar: "Analysis to Action: Current Iscarsah Initiatives".
Date: Friday, December 5th, 2025. Time: 2:00–3:30 PM (UTC).
Register for free: https://shorturl.at/05iJI
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about Iscarsah's ongoing work and initiatives!
Iscarsah at the ICOMOS General Assembly 2025 in Lumbini, Nepal
Oct 27, 2025
Great gathering of Iscarsah at the ICOMOS Annual General Assembly 2025 in Lumbini, Nepal (11–19 October).
Iscarsah President Prof. Paulo B. Lourenço joined colleagues Arun Menon, Cyrill von Planta, and Imola Kirizsan for the AGA sessions and the Scientific Symposium "Perceptions of Heritage and Resilience".
Warm thanks to ICOMOS Nepal and our member Kai Weise for the outstanding organisation. The event brought together 500+ participants (in person and online), with discussions on protecting cultural heritage amid conflict and natural hazards, and site visits to Tilaurakot and Kathmandu.
Iscarsah Annual General Meeting 2025 — Lausanne
Sep 22, 2025
We have just concluded our Annual General Meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland — an inspiring gathering that brought together what was likely the largest number of Iscarsah members ever.
Held just before the SAHC 2025 Conference, which itself was a total success, our AGM provided the chance to share updates on ongoing initiatives, working groups, and national committees, while also looking ahead to future activities. The vibrant participation and fruitful discussions truly reflected the strength and diversity of our community.
A special highlight was the recognition of outstanding contributions through the Iscarsah Awards 2024, celebrating the commitment and achievements of colleagues who advance the conservation of architectural heritage worldwide.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Savvas Saloustros for his excellent organization and warm hospitality in Lausanne — your efforts made this meeting a true success.
Thank you to all who joined us in person and online — your energy and dedication continue to drive Iscarsah forward.
Iscarsah Webinar — Heritage in Time of Armed Conflict
Apr 9, 2025
Please join us for our next Iscarsah webinar, "Heritage in Time of Armed Conflict," on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM UTC.
Register in advance for April 23rd 2025: https://shorturl.at/EcA1A
WEBINAR — Structural Interventions in Heritage — Case studies through the lens of the Iscarsah principles
Feb 24, 2025
Please join us for our next Iscarsah webinar, presenting Structural Interventions in Heritage — Case studies through the lens of the Iscarsah principles on Tuesday March 6th at 12 PM EST.
Register in advance for March 6th 2025: https://shorturl.at/PrCho
Iscarsah Bulletin
Biannual bulletin issued each March and September.
Awards
Recognizing outstanding contributions to Iscarsah's mission and activities.
2024 Awards — presented September 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland
Pere Roca
The Founders Award recognizes a major contribution to a concrete, lasting deliverable. For its inaugural year the Bureau's choice was clear: Pere Roca led the long and demanding process of updating the Iscarsah Guidelines, steering years of technical discussion through to completion.
Nicoletta Bianchini
Created to recognize an early-career professional whose growing involvement has made a real impact on Iscarsah's work, this inaugural award goes to Nicoletta Bianchini. Her energy and steady presence throughout the 2024 webinar series helped keep members engaged and gave the program real momentum.
Documents
Principles
A statement of Iscarsah's purpose and methods, available in ten languages.
Guidelines
Practical recommendations for structural restoration of heritage structures.
Working Groups Documents
Technical reports and framework documents produced by Iscarsah working groups.
Declarations, Resolutions & Standards
Formal declarations and resolutions, including the ISO standard to which Iscarsah contributed Annex I, "Heritage Structures."
Statutory Documents
The creation of Iscarsah by ICOMOS.
Newsletter
Webinars
▶Initiatives
▶Africa Region
▶Heritage in Time of Armed Conflict
▶Structural Interventions in Heritage
▶Iscarsah Perspectives on Fire Protection of Heritage Structures
▶Iscarsah Perspectives on the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake
▶Intervenciones en las Estructuras del Patrimonio Arquitectónico
▶Authenticity and Reconstruction (Part 1)
▶Earthquakes and Traditional Construction (Part 3)
▶Earthquakes and Traditional Construction (Part 2)
▶Earthquakes and Traditional Construction (Part 1)
Join Iscarsah
If you wish to become a member of The International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (Iscarsah), submit #1 the application form, #2 your CV with focus on heritage experience and #3 two reference letters from Iscarsah members, with a membership request to:
apply@iscarsah.orgMembers of Iscarsah become part of an international professional network and can participate in expert meetings, professional workshops, scientific exchanges, site inspections and training programs all over the world.
Which Membership Category Applies to You?
Application Steps
- Download the latest Application Form (Word document).
- Prepare your CV, with a focus on heritage experience.
- Gather two reference letters from Iscarsah members.
Submit all three documents to apply@iscarsah.org. Applications are reviewed by the Iscarsah Bureau.
Members Area
Sign in to access restricted Iscarsah content.