1,720,987 research outputs found
Traditional buildings for tobacco processing in Val Tiberina (Tuscany-Italy)
Full text linkThis paper focuses on the analysis of buildings devoted to tobacco processing, built in the first half of the 20th century in Tuscany (province of Arezzo), by studying construction techniques, materials, and preservation issues. Since the 16th century, in Tuscany, the sites involved in tobacco cultivation are both the upper Val Tiberina and Val di Chiana (in particular, Arezzo and Siena territories). At first, tobacco was used either for medical purposes or as snuff and pipe powder. It soon became the most renewed cultivation throughout the Tiberina Valley, due to the excellent quality of the tobacco produced. The first significant crops date back to the early 17thcentury. The drying process took place in specific buildings named “tabaccaie”, where tobacco leaves were placed over an oak wood fire to dry. This process was adopted until the 1970s. Subsequently, a profound crisis of the agricultural sector determined the falling into disuse and the abandonment of numerous “tabaccaie”. In some cases, these buildings have been reused as luxury hotels for touristic purposes, but many of them are in a state of ruin or have been demolished. They represent the testimony of agro-industrial vernacular architectures nowadays at significant risk. Indeed, most of the recovery interventions have often wholly obliterated the original structure to make the former “tabaccaie” able to satisfy housing and comfort requests. The study aims to deepen the knowledge of these buildings to preserve cultural identities and transfer inherited values
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AT RISK: THE CASE OF THE MAGNANO HAMLET (PIEDMONT, ITALY)
Full text linkThe architecture is the result of the men’s work, whose actions do not end with its construction, but are inevitably destined to follow one another over time, responding to the various natural and/or anthropic solicitations to which it is subjected. The progressive change in social and economic needs, together with the lack of recognition of the value of the inherited architectural heritage, causes an increasing pressure both on individual historic buildings and on ancient sites. Considered as obsolete and incapable of responding to current performance and functional requirements, the architectural heritage is often abandoned or subjected to radical transformations, causing the irremediable loss of valuable cultural resources. The examination of the current state of conservation of the Magnano hamlet is interesting for the purposes of ‘Risk in architectural heritage’. It is a defensive settlement built at the beginning of the XIIIth century and characterized by the presence of building cells lying on the crest of a hill and surrounded by walls. Some of these cells are today totally abandoned and, therefore, affected by decay phenomena due to the aggressive action exerted by environmental agents; others have undergone interventions that, although aimed at allowing their possible re-use, have led to the partial or total loss of the identity features of this heritage. This paper intends to focus on the analysis of the interventions carried out, examining the methodologies adopted and some critical issues in the belief that only by searching for compatible solutions in terms of materials, structures and functionality, it is possible to become promoters of an effective conservation of the architectural heritage
A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE: THE CONSERVATION OF EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE
No full textThe action of atmospheric agents on the materials of monuments and buildings constitutes one of the main factors of their decay. With regard to this, the ongoing climate change may cause a worsening of this action due to an increase in thermal shocks, freeze-thaw cycles, wind action and intensity of rainfalls. In view of this, a fragile architecture such as the earth one is in a condition of even greater risk. The only way to increase the resilience of this constructions is represented by scheduled maintenance interventions that not only deal with the earth material, but also with the proper functionality of the rainwater disposal systems. These include both the application of renders (real sacrifice surfaces) and the execution of consolidating/protective treatments, generally adopted in archaeological sites and on decorated surfaces. This contribution will provide an overview of the studies carried out to increase the durability of the earthen buildings through the development of both more durable renders and natural and synthetic protective products. The results of the authors’ experiences will be also reported. Furthermore, with regard to the experimental activity carried out, techniques usually applied to verify the effectiveness of the conservative intervention in terms of resistance to water action, will be illustrated
The ruins of Castiglion Balzetti: building materials and construction techniques
Full text linkThe ruins of Castiglion Balzetti, from the aristocratic family that initially had lordship over this territory,
lie isolated, far from roads, communication routes and inhabited places, in the woods of the Val di Merse,
in the province of Siena. This is why it is commonly known as “Castiglion che Dio sol sa”. Few historical
sources are available on this settlement. It is mentioned for the first time in the Sienese statutes in 1262,
being under the jurisdiction of Siena. In the early 14th century, it belonged to the powerful Sienese
Saracini family with an important mill in the Merse River. The ruins are impressive. The castle
consists of a large rectangular donjon, on which the eastern side was leaned, another building that
initially housed the church, and a second probably used as stables. A smaller tower stands at the southwest
corner, with an oven and well inside. The buildings are connected by a curtain wall that delimits the
courtyard, with the main entrance door opening on the southern side. Around this complex, a village
developed in ancient times is included within a second fortified circuit of which numerous remains are
visible. Like the neighbouring villages of Orgia and Brenna, the castle suffered various pillages during
the 14th century and, with the end of the Sienese Republic, gradually fell into ruin until it was completely
abandoned and forgotten. The research will examine the different construction phases by studying the wall apparatus and the natural and artificial stone materials according to mineralogical and
petrographic methodologies. The data will be correlated with the local supply sources
The building materials of the Lorenese Forts of the Tuscan coast
Full text linkThis work examines the natural and artificial stone materials (mortars and bricks) used in the construction of the fortifications realized by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo between 1786 and 1793 along the Tuscan coast. The aim is to verify the possible relationship between the materials used and the stone resources and raw materials (clays for bricks and limestone for the production of lime) of the individual territories, or to ascertain a standardised use of materials, with origin from a single production centre. Furthermore, the state of conservation of these fortifications in relation to decay phenomena will be examined, trying to highlight the influence of environmental factors and the characteristics of the stone materials
Heritage at risk: documenting and valorising ice-houses in mountain territories
No full textThroughout history, people have always faced challenges in the collection and distribution of water in its various forms. The collection and transportation of ice, in particular, posed significant difficulties. Since ancient times, ice storage and distribution systems, such as ice-houses, have been employed globally.
Mediterranean countries have, over time, developed extensive ice storage and distribution networks. Snow was collected at high altitudes and stored in ice-houses located in the mountains, and artificial lakes were constructed for the specific purpose of ice production. Ice-houses belonged to one of two categories: those strategically located near production areas, serving as summer storage facilities, and those situated in villages on plains, where ice was stored after purchase.
Today, ice-houses risk being forgotten. While a few of them are still used, for example, for ageing wine, most of them have long been lost to memory or fallen into disrepair. Only a very small number of ice-houses, such as the Madonnina ice-house in the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountain, are being protected and enhanced as part of the local built heritage.
This contribution aims to raise awareness of the heritage of ice-houses to foster their preservation and enhance them. This can be achieved through the systematic documentation of ice-houses and the systems employed for ice preservation, thereby ensuring the long-term conservation and effective appreciation of these structures
Analysis of the earthen architectural heritage in Piedmont (northern Italy): typologies, construction techniques and materials
Full text linkThe building materials of “Colle del Melogno” Central Fort (Liguria, Italy)
Full text linkThe Melogno pass (Colle del Melogno) is located at 1026 meters above sea level, between the high Val Bormida and the hinterland of the Finalese (province of Savona) and is one of the highest mountain passes in the Ligurian Alps. In ancient times, this zone was considered strategically important from the military point of view since it is located at the crossroads of many communication routes. In these areas, in November 1795, during the "Battle of Loano", the French army, commanded by Andrea Massena and the allied army of Austria, prevailed over the Kingdom of Sardinia, led by Oliver Remigius von Wallis. However, the territory remained possession of the Kingdom of Sardinia and, between 1883 and 1895, the worsening of relations with France induced the government to erect, near the pass, three imposing fortifications (Tortagna, Settepani and Centrale) to prevent an entry into Piedmont by armies coming from the coast. For the same purpose other fortifications were erected near the passes of Tenda, Nava, Turchino and near the villages of Zuccarello, Altare and Vado. The most impressive among the three fortifications of Melogno pass is the Central Fort. It occupies all the saddle of the pass and it is crossed by the provincial road 490 connecting the coast of Finale Ligure to Piedmont. The fort, still of military property, is a listed historical artefact. It has a polygonal shape, with a main barrack developed on two floors. Four defensive and attacking emplacements were positioned outside the main complex, along a detached hill, with heavy artillery pointed towards the coast. The study will examine the natural and artificial stone materials used for the building through mineralogical and petrographic analysis and will verify both the variations occurred during the construction phases and the relations with the local supply sources
Conservation of Earthen Bricks in Architecture: An Experimental Campaign to Test Different Treatments on Vernacular Built Heritage
Full text linkEarthen architecture, by its nature, is a fragile because it has a poor resistance toward the action of weathering, which has also increased in recent years through the effects of climate change. The presence of interesting examples of earthen brick buildings, for example, in the Piedmont Region of Italy, is characterised by the absence of rendering, which reveals the need to test treatments for the protection and/or strengthening of the walls of these buildings. This action is of fundamental importance to improve its resistance to the aggressive action of atmospheric agents and avoid their disappearance. A testing campaign adopting protective products with sustainability characteristics and low environmental impact was carried out on earthen brick walls. Different products belonging to various categories (synthetic polymers, natural resins, nano-structured materials) and selected based on previous experiments or tested for the first time on earthen surfaces were selected. The performance assessment of the products was carried out by taking into account the standardised procedures in the field of cultural heritage conservation through the following tests: water absorption, water vapour permeability, drilling resistance, water erosion tests (Geelong and spray), contact angle measurements, colorimetric measurements, and ageing tests. Although the choice of the optimal protective product should be made on a case-by-case basis, where it is not sustainable to proceed in this way, the results of this experimental campaign—in the presence of materials and weathering conditions similar to those of the case study analysed—will provide indications in identifying of the most appropriate product
Cleaning of Masonry Surfaces of Cultural Interest
No full textThe contribution deals with the architectural heritage which, also not presenting monumental characteristics, bears witness of the history of each country where the building is sited. This heritage, consisting in what Roberto Pane used to define as “architecture without architects,” during the last years has partially undergone ordinary maintenance works – often promoted by specific laws allowing the partial tax deduction of expenses incurred for interventions. The prevalence of economic assessments on conservative instances has determined and still determines the choice of intervention methods and techniques often not respectful enough of the buildings’ materials.
This contribution intends to investigate, through portable quick-to-use instrumentation (such as camera, colorimeter, “peeling test,” water absorption by contact sponge), the outcomes of a cleaning operation, conducted on masonry walls of a civil building erected in Turin at the beginning of the twentieth century, assessing its impact in terms of material conservation
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