CLEA · Reviewing and integrating methods for the Conservation of European architecturaL finishes in urban hEritage townscApes

Reviewing and integrating methods for the Conservation of European architecturaL finishes in urban hEritage townscApes

Interdisciplinary studies of architectural finishes located in historical centres provide a knowledge base loaded with heritage and technological value. Hence, the know-how processes are meaningfully linked with the cultural identity and improve the understanding of colour in urban landscapes that could be applied to current conservation works in order to produce restoration materials by means of the selection of materials and pigments for the preservation of historic aesthetics. Such topics are important for society because the knowledge attained represents an heritage resource that confers special cohesion and identity, and comprehensive studies of architectural finishes represents a preventive measure to the conservation and restoration practices of built heritage and historic landscapes. The CLEA project has addressed architectural finishes over time via three main objectives: a) to perform a multianalitical study of the historic mortars and colour layers from the built heritage of the cities of Las Palmas and Santa María de Guía (Canary Islands, Spain) built in Traditional style (16th, 17th and 18th centuries), Neoclassical (19th c.) and Academic and Eclectic styles (20th c.), b) to state the original materials and methods used during the construction of buildings in historical centres, and c) to highlight the data to transfer to conservators, restorers and specifiers working in the conservation of façades of building heritage. The main conclusions are: a) architectural finishes shape the image of the historical cities studied, with colour changes from yellowish to reddish hues from Traditional style, the Neoclassical buildings were built up mostly with reddish, green and blue colours and the Academic and Eclectic styles, whitish hues were extensively used, b) local materials were used in the construction of buildings studied. Earth/clay-based mortars in buildings from 16th century until 19th c. have been applied, and lime-based mortars have been extensively used in all historical periods, c) local pigments have been used in mainly until 18th century, when international trade with the island began and synthetic pigments started to be applied. The CLEA project has entailed a major impact on the career development of the MSCA fellow, that has worked in an independent way, has strengthened her research profile, has extended her professional network and has enlarged her future prospects.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union