CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE RUSSIAN WOODEN ARCHITECTURE IN 19TH-CENTURY ALASKA AND ITS INFLUENCE ON MODERN HERITAGE PRACTICES

Resumen

This study examines the structural, planning, and cultural features of Russian wooden architecture preserved in nineteenth-century Novo-Arkhangelsk, now the city of Sitka. The research integrates archival materials, church records, and field meas-urements to clarify the architectural and engineering characteristics of major surviving buildings and to situate them within cur-rent discussions on heritage preservation and sustainable development. The findings show that these structures were created through a hybrid Russian-Finnish construction system that combined traditional log-building techniques with European meas-urement practices. The buildings display advanced engineering solutions for their time, including multi-layered thermal insula-tion, complex roof truss systems, and reinforced foundations adapted to Alaskan climatic conditions. Beyond their technical qualities, the buildings served as instruments of cultural presence and community formation and continue to function as markers of long-term cultural sustainability. Their preservation as national historic landmarks demonstrates how historic architecture contributes to sustainable development by supporting identity continuity, responsible land use, and climate-appropriate construc-tion principles. The architectural heritage of Russian America presents a distinctive example of how traditional building methods can support both cultural and environmental sustainability in northern regions.