Antonella Guida

Thermo-Hygrometric Evaluations in the Recovery of Rocky Buildings of the “Sassi of Matera”(Italy):

The Sassi of Matera are a very interesting example of a rocky settlement. The limestone walls often present high moisture content which negatively influences the room microclimate. In the first part of this paper, rooms without evident problems of moisture were analyzed for the purpose of carrying out a statistical analysis, to be repeated in analogous situations and to identify the distribution of what we can define as background moisture of the rocky installation. The knowledge of moisture, however, greatly influences the evaluation of heat loss since thermal conductivity of a material increases with an increase in the percentage of water that is contained within it. Consequently, the second part of the paper deals with thermal conductivity and other thermal physical properties related to the moisture of the calcareous sandstone present in the installation of the “Sassi,” continuing the analysis initiated in a previous work.

A “Non-Invasive” Technique for Qualifying the Reinforced Concrete Structure

In recent years, a lot of studies on built heritage emphasize the need to use appropriate techniques to evaluate the current condition of the structure before designing an intervention. The research focuses on the restoration of reinforced concrete buildings that begin to show signs of decay and deterioration. To verify the state of a building, it’s possible to use the “destructive” methods (that require a local removal of material) and “nondestructive” tests. The combined results from different “nondestructive” tests are very interesting instruments to assess the concrete strength. This methodological approach can help to reduce the possible errors when using the sclerometer and ultrasonic tests separately; in this way, the combined method called “SonReb” (SONic

THOUGHTFUL RECOVERY OF MEDIEVAL SHIPYARDS IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE SITES

There is architecture that could be called “timeless”: places built by ancient civilizations where transformative human interventions have been successful; in fact, despite making small changes related to new needs, they have allowed the preservation and maintenance of this architecture. The shipyards of the Mediterranean can certainly be connoted as “timeless” places; they are characterized by simple structures, as they are factories and buildings without value; at the same time, they are imposing buildings, as they include other minor construction yards for the construction of vessels. They became an economic and social way to develop the culture of a site. These buildings are witnesses of an architectural monumentality that, although medieval, nevertheless displays a contemporary conception of space: great depth, good perspective and arches that seem to chase each other. This is the reason why, despite time, these buildings have always managed to perpetuate in new and different functions. This research analyzes the role that these places currently perform; the redevelopment and recovery processes that are submitted to ensure that this architecture continues to dialogue with the historically consolidated urban contexts, responding to the needs of contemporary living (i.e. from naval factories to factories for culture). The project of “controlled modification”, to which this architecture is now subjected in order to go on living, belongs to the knowledge or methodological approach which allows space and time to be given to these places and also to their particular production and commercial importance.

Recovery and Enhancement of Modern Architectures: The Case of Cinema Ariston in Potenza (Italy)

The architectural heritage of the modern is in addiction with the historical and cultural heritage that are the “beauty” of Italy. The starting point of this research is to reuse an area of the historic city centre of Potenza and to recover an historical architecture abandoned: the Cinema Ariston. It is built in the 50s of 900s, and it is a significant example of modern concrete architecture in the town. The original function of cinema includes it in those buildings that have marked the history of the town and today cannot be deleted from the memories of all citizens and it should be enhanced as a central element for the renovation. An accurate metric and metric survey and a diagnostic investigation (including pachometer, sonic and ultrasonic tests) have been carried out to define the project. The results obtained were used to implement an analytical model for the study of the seismic vulnerability and to define the conservation interventions and structural rehabilitation. The recovery project includes also a new construction and proposes the recompletion of the existing, partially demolished, through new elements and modern materials. The policy adopted for conservation and the new intended use ensure a future for the Cinema Ariston and the urban space connected to it; the aim was to perpetuate social and historical memories of buildings that have no particular values for the preservation, but retain other important values to be transmit.

Knowledge And Recovery Of Military Architecture: The urban Castle Of Pomarico (Italy)

To know is to document and, thus, to ensure the memory of man-made actions; it could become an important element for recovery and restoration interventions. In fact, to analyze a monument from a historical, technological and material point of view means to understand the comp lex system of relationships among its parts, but also with the environment in which it is located. The above becomes extremely important in the case of urban castles, where the military architecture cannot be separated from the building fabric in which it is inserted. This architecture was built to defend th e city and it has had different characteristics over the centuries. It is the generating element of new urban centers (or n ew military settlements within centers already structured) and become the symbol of the power of the King on the community as well as the last ba stion to conquer the en emy, in the case of siege. The research focuses upon the castle of Pomarico (Basilicata, Italy). Through an analysis of technological and construction systems, the research aims to propose a methodology of study and analysis for this architectural evidence that has lost its pri mary function and is in a state of neglect and decay. The dialectic of conservation consists, therefore, in antinomy between the co nservation of matter and conse rvation of the image. Between these extremes lies a third element constitu ted by v alue or by a system of values that the monument has. The most cu rrent guidelines of the method seen in the integrated conservation (understood as the result of the combined techniques of restoration and research the appropriate functions) the g oal that it would like to pursue. Keyword s: military architecture, knowledge, recovery, integrated conservation.

Advancements In Shotcrete Technology

Shotcrete is a cement-based mixture pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a receiving surface. The material component of shotcrete is essentially concrete or sometimes mortar, but the process of shotcrete application is unique. This process allows a good compaction of concrete to be obtained without vibration. Compared to cast-in-place concrete, other important advantages of the shotcrete process are related to the reduction of the amount and time for formwork installation, removal, and associated labor costs, the very flexible logistics, very good working safety and good environmental conditions. Nowadays, because of the significant advances that occurred mainly in the last few decades, shotcrete can be considered a proper repair material particularly suitable in different situations such as where formwork is not practical or can be reduced or eliminated, where access to the work area is difficult, where thin layers and/or variable thickness is required and where normal casting techniques cannot be employed. This paper describes the two different application techniques of shotcrete, namely the dry-mix process and the wet-mix process, and discusses their respective advantages and disadvantages. The drawbacks of conventional shotcrete (only based on cement and aggregate mixtures) are reviewed and high performance shotcrete are presented. These novel shotcrete materials are produced through the addition of new generations of chemical admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials and reinforcement fibres. Cases histories of a successful use of the shotcrete process in the rehabilitations of architecturally important historic buildings are described.

Knowledge And Qualification Of Three Ancient Masonry Churches In Pomarico, Italy

Materials characterization represents a crucial point for the assessment of structural safety of old masonry structures. It usually comprises visual inspections, drilling and mechanical tests on site and of some laboratory tests on masonry samples. However, their results can significantly vary since the masonry may be typically very irregular and heterogeneous in a structure. Recently, many efforts have been conducted in developing standard procedures of performing and interpreting the data of experimental tests. In this way on-site results may be repeated and compared among them for structural diagnosing and monitoring, and for controlling interventions locally applied within a structure. Moreover, it is also possible to classify potential pathological events and, consequently, to implement innovative solutions that could extend the interventions durability. In this paper the analyses and qualifications of the three ancient masonry churches in Pomarico (Italy) are presented. The obtained on-site results of nondestructive tests and the restorations interventions are illustrated and compared among them.

Sustainable reuse of modern movement heritage buildings: problems and solutions in Scotland and Italy

Many buildings which were built in the 20th century, and due to their exceptional architectural value included in the lists of built heritage, are sometimes standing vacant for different reasons. This paper investigates the problems that need to be resolved to enable a sustainable reuse of various types of modern heritage buildings. The investigation is undertaken through case studies of some modern heritage buildings in Scotland and Italy in order to identify common problems and regional differences in enabling the reuse of those buildings. In addition, some examples of the reuse of modern built heritage are presented to highlight what has contributed to the reuse, and whether and how that meets the current environmental requirements, and the local social and economic needs. The research indicates how public and private organisations have contributed to the successful reuse of modern built heritage and what problems they encounter in the efforts to provide new uses for the remaining vacant buildings. The investigation examines how economic, social, environmental, functional, structural and design aspects impact on defining new uses for modern heritage buildings. The analysis of the above requirements through the selected case studies leads to the recommendations on the key issues, strategies and tactics that should be considered to enable an appropriate and timely reuse of the 20th century built heritage.

Recovery intervention of two theatres in Basilicata (Italy): history and techniques

The need, more and more frequently, for making recovery interventions as well as the technological, structural and functional adaptation of built heritage often collides with the lack of knowledge of its historical, cultural and architectural values. This work is developed on a revaluation assumption of two theatres in Basilicata (Italy), located respectively in the old town centers of Matera and Potenza. Built in the first half of XX century, they represent the first evidence of “Modern Architecture” (realized using concrete), in which the testing of techniques and materials will contribute to define the unique forms and solutions of the building; in fact, they represent the first examples of a new construction technique that, at the time, began to be introduced also in Basilicata. Furthermore, they represent emblematic examples of architecture for the spectacle on which to perform hypothesis of recovery interventions, both for their localization and architectural and/or structural conformation and for materials and construction techniques used. The scientific approach has been articulated, previously, in the data acquisition – needed to perform a diagnostic evaluation; then, in a proposal for architectural and material recovery intervention, through the evaluation of the building condition and the identification of the construction and techniques characteristics. Through a specific knowledge of the building structure, its state of deterioration (pointing out the causes that have determined the decay), it has come to an “operating” definition of the interventions that can be performed. In fact, the “reading” of the built environment cannot be separated from a suitable and methodological appropriation of construction techniques as well as “environmental variables”

Static Requirement and Type’s Complexity in the Diagnostics Phase

The preservation of an historical building, whatever its architectural and/or artistic value, is more appropriate as it is deeper the building knowledge, its development, its materials and constructive techniques. So the preliminary phase of a restoration intervention is the data acquisition, the direct characteristics and conditions recognition of the building and the survey of significant alterations. The reasons that cause these modifications, in great number of cases, are not respectful of the building static efficiency, so its static requirement could be weakened. In fact, a very high percentage of building damages is attributable to these modifications are not always sufficiently respectful of a structural balances consolidated over time. The study focuses on the analysis of the restoration intervention on two trilobate pillars that separate the central space from the presbytery in the Cathedral of Matera, a little city in the southern part of Italy. Through the use of sonic tests carried out despite the complexity of the shape of a building structural and constructive elements that characterizes these pillars – it was possible to show the effectiveness of the implemented intervention, highlighting its critical points and its weaknesses. The research aims to show how despite the type complexity of some structural elements of a building becomes essential an appropriate building knowledge to realize interventions that are able to operate a correct restoration interventions of a building and, at the same time, that it is respectful of its type and material