The presentation of the book “Structural Analysis of the Construction System of Timber-Roofed Churches in Cyprus, 15th–19th Century” (Theomorfou Publications) was held on Monday, 16 December 2025, at the University's events hall, in Nicosia.

The event was organized by the Department of Architecture of Frederick University, in collaboration with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), the Cyprus Architects Association, and the ICOMOS Cyprus Committee. Among the attendees were the Commissioner for the Environment, Ms Antonia Theodosiou; the President of the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Marina Ieronymidou; the President of ETEK, Mr Konstantinos Kostantis; and other distinguished guests.

The publication “Structural Analysis of the Construction System of Timber-Roofed Churches in Cyprus, 15th–19th Century” is the result of twelve years of research by Dr Marios Pelekanos, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Frederick University. His research focused on an in-depth study of the timber-roofed churches of the Troodos mountain range, which developed from the mid-15th century onwards. The research incorporated findings from 18 group studies involving 225 undergraduate and postgraduate students, who had the opportunity to actively participate in a long-term and in-depth research process. This engagement transformed the research into a living educational experience, meaningfully linking teaching with primary research and fostering research ethics, critical thinking, and respect for the architectural heritage of the region among students. In total, more than 130 basilicas—single-aisled and three-aisled—as well as churches with later extensions and alterations were documented and analysed.

This particular roof construction system demonstrates a high level of technological knowledge and application in areas such as intelligent timber joinery, structural and seismic behaviour, bioclimatic performance, provisions for flexibility, expansion and adaptation, as well as design considerations that facilitate future repairs.

The book also highlights primarily the morphological influences from Western Europe and the decisive constructional influences of Eastern building philosophy. The combination of these two traditions produced a distinctive and unique roofing system, characterized by a high level of creative conception and constructional excellence.

The book was prefaced by Professor Panayiotis Touliatos of the Department of Architecture at Frederick University, who contributed to the research as its principal advisor and mentor, drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience in construction analysis and the restoration of historic and monumental structures.

A welcome address was delivered by Ms Natassa Frederickou, President of the Council of Frederick University. “This book reminds us that progress is never detached from tradition,” Ms Frederickou noted, explaining that Dr Pelekanos’s work “invites us to look carefully at the past in order to better understand who we are and where we wish to go.” She also emphasized that the Department of Architecture at the University has, from an early stage, placed at the core of its curriculum the importance of understanding the past as a fundamental prerequisite for designing the future.

Frederick University warmly congratulates Dr Pelekanos both on the publication of his book and on his overall contribution to the Department of Architecture. Dr Pelekanos teaches construction analysis and restoration interventions in the distance-learning Postgraduate Program “Conservation and Restoration of Historic Structures and Monuments”, as well as architectural design and architectural technology courses in the Diploma (Integrated Master) in Architectural Engineering, transmitting to the new generation of architects his scientific knowledge, research ethos, and creative approach to contemporary design grounded in the wisdom of past constructions.