History of the conservation, analysis and diagnostic evaluation of historic and modern buildings

Research focus

The Peer review has evaluated this group as Excellent

The research activity of the group investigating history of the conservation, analysis and diagnostic evaluation of historic and modern buildings considers the topic from two standpoints: on one hand it addresses the essentially theoretical aspects, from developing propositions on restoration and relations with the critical/aesthetic debate on the significance of history and historiography; on the other, it conducts research on buildings and sites, and relative applications, since these are all distinctive elements of one same cultural and social reality. Studying both the material substance of buildings – in the past and in the present day – and treatments and techniques has a cognitive purpose per se and is also a necessary premise of planning and design processes. Within this framework the research group is dealing with myriad correlated issues. These include: - Application and development of open classification systems (historical and analytical data, info on static and material deterioration, construction details) concerning buildings (Raumbuch). - Study of moisture and thermal equilibrium in masonry buildings and development of microclimatic monitoring systems. Study of historical systems/installations, modelling and examination of installations in historical buildings, and particularly of advanced radiation heating/insulation systems; - Reconstruction of the history of architectural heritage, including the history of usage and of deterioration, conducted by comparing documentary research and the results of non-destructive analyses (in particular, thermography and chemical/physical/mineralogical analyses, resistance tests applied to wooden items, static monitoring). Concepts related to “history” and “duration” of deterioration and degradation. Study and chronotypological classification of building elements and construction techniques. - Processes for preserving stone and plaster. Identification of treatments and experiments with processes of little noxiousness. Role of non-synthetic, organic materials in the protection and maintenance of plaster and stone. On these same topics members of the research group are proposing theses and furthering initiatives run by the Ph.D. course on Conservation of Architectural Heritage (Prof. Alberto Grimoldi) and by the School of Specialization in Restoration of Monuments (Prof. Amedeo Bellini). The Laboratory of Analysis and Diagnostic Evaluation of Historical and Modern Buildings (headed by Alberto Grimoldi), which has been operating within the Department since 2004, has provided a technical and scientific consulting service for all the main research programmes carried out for public and private organizations. It has also delivered a comprehensive support service in the form of teaching and assistance for undergraduates, Ph.D students and researchers of the School of Specialization in Restoration of Monuments.

Dipartimento di afferenza

Dipartimento di Architettura e Pianificazione (DIAP)

Docenti afferenti

Full Professors
Bellini Amedeo
Grimoldi Alberto
Di Biase Carolina
Associate Professors
Farina Paolo Maria
Pertot Gianfranco
Pesenti Serena