The System of Formative Factors of North Ossetia Traditional Architecture: Historical Genesis and Modern Challenges

Abstract

The study is devoted to the traditional architecture of North Ossetia, which is considered not as set of monuments but as a dynamic system forming in unique historical and natural conditions. Particular urgency is given to preserving the semantic value of heritage amidst the aggressive growth of the tourist flow, which creates a risk of losing the regional identity.
Purpose: The aim of this work is a comprehensive analysis of the system of formative factors of the mountain architecture and identification of key contradictions between the authenticity preservation and needs of modern tourism.
Methodology/approach: An interdisciplinary approach includes historical, ethnographical and urban planning data. The integral analysis is used to synthesize structural-environmental, sociopragmatic, and mental-archetypal aspects to construct the model of the architectural genesis.
Research findings: Classification in three groups is proposed for formative factors: naturalclimatic (solar architecture, autochthonous materials), socio-defensive (influence of the clan system and military threat on tower typology), and sacral-worldview (symbolism of the dwelling and landscape). A modern socio-cultural conflict is shown between the sacral perception of the environment by the local community and the consumer behavior of tourists.
Value: It is shown that restoration is insufficient for the successful revitalization of heritage. A strategy of "protocol architecture" is proposed, i.e., a scenary space modeling, which regulates tourist flows through planning solutions and harmonizes their interaction with the sacral context of the territory.