Iscarsah newsletter 6-7 Layout 1

stimados amigos y colegasdel ISCARSAH,

aprovecho este número para enviar unbreve mensaje come vicepresidente delComité y directora del BoletínISCARSAH, ahora que esta publicaciónperiódica cumple dos años, en los que harecogido gran aceptación, y no solamenteentre los miembros del Comité.El Boletín informa puntualmente sobreiniciativas y actividades de sus miem-bros, pero recoge también artículos deinterés más amplio: investigaciones cien-tíficas, noticias breves, anuncios de even-tos por venir.Haciendo un balance de los números an-teriores, consultables en la página webdel Comité y en otras páginas de losComités nacionales del ICOMOS, es evi-dente que destacan, entre otros, losartículos dedicados al tema de la recu-peración y de la restauración de las es-tructuras históricas, en los que semuestran enfoques diferentes y criteriosy técnicas adoptados en contextos ge-

ográficos y culturales muy diversos. La lectura de estos textos permite estar al día de lo que sucede en otras latitudes, confrontando ex-periencias y enriqueciendo el debate internacional sobre la materia.Sin embargo, a pesar de los grandes esfuerzos de la comunidad científica, los eventos catastróficos – terremotos, tsunami, huracanes –,así como el abandono y la indiferencia hacia los edificios del pasado aumentan, día tras día, la lista de edificios de interés patrimonialdestinados a desaparecer irremediablemente. Y si bien es verdad que, por un lado, el tema de la sustentabilidad, el reciclaje y la reutilización de los edificios adquiere cada vez mayorimportancia, es también cierto que poco se hace concretamente para encontrar nuevas formas de uso para los edificios pertenecientessobre todo a un pasado reciente. Grandes fábricas, edificios industriales y de servicios, pero también inmuebles sobre los que pesan con-denas ideológicas sin tomar en cuenta su calidad constructiva y arquitectónica, caracterizan territorios y marcan el planeta sin lograr ac-tivar procesos de regeneración urbana y social. A este propósito, la reciente publicación de Patrick Sparks, mencionada en este número,presenta un caso concreto de evaluación de costos/beneficios de edificios militares anteriores a la segunda guerra mundial en los Esta-dos Unidos.En el presente número se ilustran dos trabajos de investigación que se enfrentan, en el primer caso, al difícil tema de la recuperaciónde un edificio industrial – una fábrica de abono – localizada en un contexto geográfico de extraordinario valor ambiental y realizadaenteramente en madera; el segundo, orientado a llamar la atención sobre un edificio deportivo realizado en la década de los Treinta enRoma, hoy en condiciones de completo abandono. Otro artículo, concerniente la arquitectura reciente, está dedicado a la Casa Árbol,una casa experimental que Giuseppe Perugini y Uga de Plaisant realizaron en un pinar cercano a la playa de Fregene, en la costa ital-iana, como manifiesto de una arquitectura que buscaba un nuevo lenguaje y nuevos procesos constructivos y que hoy requiere de unaintervención urgente para salvarla de una inminente destrucción.Coherente con este tema, Orestes del Castillo ilustra dos casos de edificios del siglo XX: un interesante mercado en Rumanía, que fuedemolido, y un hospital en La Habana en inminente riesgo de desaparecer. En conclusión, Khalid El Harrouni refiere sobre el encuentro ICOMOS Marruecos con el tema Casablanca, lugar de memoria, y GörünArun presenta la propuesta de un curso de formación, a organizarse conjuntamente entre el ISCARSAH y el Comité ICORP, sobre eltema de la prevención de riesgos del patrimonio cultural.Cierro estas líneas, invitando nuevamente a todos los miembros del ISCARSAH a contribuir a que este Boletín siga siendo un útil y ágilvehículo de intercambio de experiencias e información.Cordialmente,María Margarita Segarra LagunesVice-presidente del ISCARSAH y Directora del Boletín ISCARSAH

newsletterApril-

August, 2014

1

E

IscarsahInternational Scientific Committee on the Analysis andRestoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage

6-7

The canal warehouses, photographed by the Architect G. Pediconi. Architetture del silenzio exhibition; Guzzman powder magazine in Orbetello (GR), July 2013.

INDEX

Message of the Editor of the ISCARSAHNewsletterMaria Margarita Segarra Lagunes

Scientific reportsFrancesca Isabella Micco, Ex S.I.TO.CO. Afactory on the lagoon. Case study of thewooden structures of achemical factory in Orbetello (Grosseto,Tuscany)Barbara Paroli, The Casa della G.I.L. inMontesacro: past, present and future ofa modern architectural landmark inRomeMaría Margarita Segarra Lagunes,La Casa Árbol de Fregene

News from ISCARSAH MembersOrestes M. del Castillo del Prado,Arquitectura contemporánea en peligroPatrick Sparks, Demonstrating theEnvironmental & Economic Cost-Benefits of Reusing DoDs Pre-WWIIBuildings - ESTCP SI 0931Khalid El Harrouni, Compte Rendu de laRencontre dédiée au patrimoine de laville de Casablanca sur le thème« Casablanca : lieux de mémoire »organisée par ICOMOS Maroc

Conferences, coursesGörün Arun, Training Program on RiskPreparedness & Structural Repair andRestoration of Architectural Heritage5th International Congress onConstruction History

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014

2

Scientific reports

International Scientific Committee on theAnalysis and Restoration of Structures ofArchitectural Heritage

website:http://iscarsah.icomos.org/

facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/IS-CARSAH/263710868630

linkedin:http://www.linkedin.com/groups/IS-CARSAH-Structures-Architectural-Her-itage-3930057

Newsletter nn. 6-7April-August, 2014ISSN 2306-0182

Editor: María Margarita Segarra LagunesVia Emanuele Filiberto, 19000185 Roma (ITALY)

email: [email protected]

1

2

8

13

16

18

19

22

24

Ex S.I.TO.CO. A factory on the lagoonCase study of the wooden structures of achemical factory in Orbetello (Grosseto, Tuscany)Francesca Isabella MiccoArchitect

of superphosphate, for the most part inthe North (Pezzati, 1990). This industrialsector soon thrived in an agriculture-based economy. While in the 1930s this in-dustry reached the peak of itsdevelopment, by the 1960s it was alreadyin decline, unable to compete with an ex-panding petrochemical industry. Woodenstructures were deemed ideal for the con-struction of fertilizer production plants.

BackgroundAt the end of nineteenth century, chemicalsoil fertilization became standard practicein farming techniques in the more devel-oped parts of Italy. Indeed, it was rela-tively easy to start producing chemicalfertilizer: entering the market requiredonly a small capital investment and sim-ple machinery . By 1900, Italy was home toover 50 plants dedicated to the production

The Sulphuric Acid plant, c. 1920 (in Edison Archive at Centro per la cultura d’impresa, Milan).

The original settlement in an old postcard (in Savoi L., Andreuccetti B. (eds.), Orbetello una storia,Grosseto 1994).

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014Scientific reports

3

The Sulphuric Acid plantThe Sulphuric Acid plant was used toproduce one of the chemicals required tomake fertilizer. From a formal point ofview, there is a clear reference to therural architecture typical in this area atthe time the factory was built. The entire

While traditional steel and concrete sys-tems are prone to corrosion caused bynitrogen and sulphuric compounds(widely used in fertilizer production),wood offers corrosion resistance andcheap production costs. Furthermore, itallows for the construction of complexand articulated structures using small,easy to assemble elements (Tampone,2004).Only a few industrial buildings with awooden structure still exist in Italy. Someare of paramount interest not only fortheir construction techniques and formalcharacteristics, but also for their intrinsichistorical and cultural value. The ExS.I.TO.CO.1 Sulphuric Acid plant and its“Superphosphate” warehouses are fullyrepresentative of this heritage.

A rural factoryThe Società Prodotti Chimici, Colla eConcimi (Chemical Products, Glues andFertilizers Company) was founded onJanuary 12,1899 in Rome. Initially basedin Southern Italy, where the company in-tended to fill the chemical industry de-velopment gap with the North, it rapidlyexpanded northward into southern Tus-cany. The area’s sizable mining industryand good infrastructural network al-lowed the company to assume a leadingrole in what was still an essentially ruraleconomy (Società Prodotti Chimici, Collae Concimi, 1912).In 1907 the Company built a factory in Or-betello. This fishing village, 150 km northof Rome, lies on the shores of a naturallagoon created by two strips of sand link-ing the mainland to the promontory ofMonte Argentario. The original settlement was developedover the first 20 years of the twentiethcentury2. Initially two large plants werebuilt: the Sulphuric Acid plant, equippedwith the necessary lead-lined chambersand furnaces; and the superphosphatefertilizer plant, with its warehouses dedi-cated to the milling, grinding and refiningof raw materials.At the same time more accessory struc-tures were erected: a steam boiler, achemical laboratory, some workshopsand a housing area for workers. Over thecourse of 80 years there were manychanges in ownership3. The factory wasextended and some sections werelargely reorganised, including new pro-duction lines. In the 1960s alluminiumand cryolite plants were also active.However, new chemical production

methods and more modern constructiontechniques did not alter the substantialentity of the two original plants. As amatter of fact, their wooden structuresproved effective, sturdy and durable.Only a few building materials were sub-stituted over the years.

The Superphosphate fertilizer plant warehouses, 1920 (in Edison Archive at Centro per la culturad’impresa, Milan).

View of Orbetello from the lagoon. The Ex Sitoco factory is in the background.

The artificial canal in front of the plant (2013 © Micco F. I.).

4

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014 Scientific reports

building is characterized by rough-hewnlimestone blocks and brick borders atcorners. Large arches topped by brickarchivolts dominate the basement floor.Higher up, brick trellises define cross-shaped compositions, covering largestructural openings: this device is verycommon in traditional Tuscan haylofts,as it allows for cross-ventilation andlighting, while simultaneously decoratingthe structure (Mancini, Zucchi, 1986). The building is made up of three largeseparate areas totalling over 53,600square meters. The two low-rise areasfacing northwest, made up of a singlelarge room, were used to house 8 to 16pyrite furnaces. Sulphur dioxide was ob-tained through the combustion of sul-phide minerals (i.e. pyrite), which had tobe transferred to the tallest space, hometo the lead chambers (lined with 4 mmthick lead sheets). After a phase of purifi-cation, the gas passed through the cham-bers (5 in 1911, 10 in 1917, and, finally 24).Each was a 14 meter-high parallelepipedstructure with a base of 4 x 6 meters. Thelead-chambers used to sit in the spaces

left empty by a dense and impressivepitch pine timber frame (Pinus Rigida)4,which still constitutes the internal struc-ture of the building that, together with

the outer walls, supports the two doublepitched roofs.To allow for the handling of materialsand monitor the phases of production,

The Sulphuric Acid plant: external view (2013 © Micco F. I.).

The masonry façade (2013 © Micco F. I.).

5

raw material was milled, ground and re-fined, before being transferred andprocessed in the Superphosphate plant, asemi-open space still occupied by theoriginal machinery. The warehouse forthe processed materials is a 100 x 60meter space, dominated by impressivewooden structures. Nine rows of columnssupport the roofing where the pitches ofthe two adjacent roofs meet. The columnsare joined to the truss by struts, thus cre-ating an atypical design, measuring ap-proximately 11 meters.This truss design overcame more canoni-cal types, using empirical devices intro-

duced by experienced carpenters. Princi-pal rafters and tie beams are simplyjointed, while the trusses are fitted usingthree pairs of struts, of which two standvertically and one horizontally. A con-veyor belt system, hosted on the foot-bridges, passed through the struts. Thewalking planks connected to some barerailings constituting the footbridges arestill visible nowadays. The masonry structure of the buildinguses the same elements and techniquesemployed in the construction of the sul-phuric acid plant.The repertoire is enriched here by the

The pyrite furnaces area (2013 © Micco F. I.).

The lead-chambers area (2013 © Micco F. I.).


the building was provided with two foot-bridges for each bay; these footbridges,only 60 cm wide, are distributed on threelevels and run parallel to the timbertrusses. Linked by small-suspendedstairs, the footbridges are supported bylarge beams, in turn set into the wallsand bolted to the wooden columns. Thecentrally braced columns are linked tothe principal rafters by struts and con-tribute to supporting the trusses. Thetrusses were designed as a variant of the“simple Palladian” truss. The roof is not only impressive for its di-mensions, but also for the extremely in-teresting structural devices which wereused over the time: each tie beam is dou-ble, assembled from three pieces and re-inforced by a wooden block interposedbetween the two main sections; the kingpost is rigidly fitted and extended overthe principal rafters. This offers the bear-ing structure for a further reduced sizedouble pitched roof measuring the lengthof the main roofing. The roof was fittedwith breaches for exhaust gases and pol-luted air. The rooftop was covered by alayer of Marseille-type tiles applied di-rectly to the laths. Over the years thesetiles were substituted by large prefabri-cated asbestos sheets.All wooden columns were raised abovethe ground by a poured concretepedestal. Over the time this simplepedestal became larger, now constitutedby either a trapezoidal reinforced con-crete or brick base, creating a solid andinsulating layer between post andground. The Northwest side of the plant wasmade up by a more recently constructedreinforced concrete structure (1930-1940). This building housed the Glovertowers, required by the lead-chamberprocess to recover nitrogen oxides andcool the gases from the burners.

The Superphosphate fertilizer plantwarehousesThe fertilizer department area occupiedthe lagoon waterfront. This position al-lowed for the easy stocking of incomingraw materials: an artificial canal waspurpose-built to transfer the NorthAfrican phosphate rock (imported fromAfrica) from the nearby docks of PortoSanto Stefano. The barges carried therocks just opposite the Superphosphateplant. Incoming material was offloadedfrom the barges by an industrial elevatorand stored in the warehouses. Here the

use of wood planking in the superphos-phate plant, in the passage connectingthe plant to the low-rise warehouse sec-tion, and in the Southeast end ware-houses.

Current status and survival risksThe intrinsic characteristics of this indus-trial site, situated next to a saline wet-land constantly at risk of flooding, hasgreatly contributed to the general state ofdecay of the buildings, and in particularof their wooden structures. However, themain problems are now linked to thetotal absence of any maintenance: no or-dinary maintenance has been carried outsince 1993, when the factory defintivelyclosed its doors; today the most valuableareas are in danger. A general state ofneglect and abandonment, the ruinedroof and the absence of doors and win-dows have allowed the atmosphericagents to directly damage the building’smaterials. The wooden structures, longweather-beaten, present various degreeof damage due more to the cyclic processof wetting-drying than to shortcomings inthe original design.In the Superphosphate plant warehousethe lack of the roof covering on the frontof the canal has caused structural dam-ages (collapses and slits) to some of thetrusses, rendering some of them irrepar-erable. In some cases the woodencolumns were fitted with a reinforcedconcrete plinth: rising damp has rottedthe bases of many of the columns.Assessing the residual strength of thecolumns using an electronic drill woulddetermine their state of preservation. Ifno other intervention is required, itwould be sufficient to create small gapsin the plinth to ensure adequate air cir-culation between the surfaces of contactbetween the wood/concrete, avoidingthe dangerous stagnation of damp con-ditions.While the more badly damaged struc-tures will have to be irreversibly disman-tled and/or heavily “re-structured”, otherelements can still be saved through localintervention. Many of the wooden purlincleats sustaining the struts are damaged;their structural efficiency can be im-proved by increasing their section byscrewing brand new hardwood elementsto the purlin cleats.Many columns are affected by only smallareas of rotting wood, and can be recov-ered by fitting bonded wooden blocks orsteel plates. While the majority of the


6

The wooden footbridges (2013 © Micco F. I.).

A detail of the wooden carpentry (2013 © Micco F. I.).


7

structures present damp marks, ageddust and superficial cracking, they can betreated and recovered without alteringthe original matter, simply by cleaningand treating them with preservers. A vi-sual examination would indicate that thewood is not affected by brown rot.Alongside the general state of disrepairaffecting the plant, there is another levelof vulnerability and risk for this area andthese precious structures: the entire en-vironment has been polluted by theresidues of production over the years andmust be remediated before any futureproject can begin. In September 2013, theowner of the company presented its"Sustainability Program" to the local gov-ernment: a project for a conference cen-tre and a residential area for seniorcitizens. A proposal that will undoubtedlymark the definitive loss of this rare in-dustrial heritage.

Footnotes1 S.I.TO.CO. is the acronym of the Società inter-consorziale Toscana Concimi (Tuscan Fertiliz-ers Consortium Company).The factory was closed in 1993 and it covers 10hectares of a large privately owned property.2 Società Prodotti Chimici Colla e Concimi,1907-1920. Catasto dei fabbricati. Registrodelle partite (Building Registry. Lot DivisionRegistry). In the Grosseto State Archive.3 Montecatini, the largest Italian mining andchemical company, bought the factory in1920. In 1966 the Ex S.I.TO.CO. became theproperty of Montedison; it was sold to theFederconsorzi group in 1975.4 Macroscopic analysis.

ReferencesGradi, I., 2008, Architettura lignea 1920-1940in Italia e Germania. I parte: L'architetturaitaliana alla prova dell'autarchia, nn. 1-2,pp. 2-14.Mancini, M., Zucchi, R., 1986, Una fabbrica aFirenze, in “Recuperare”, n. 24, pp. 336-343.

Monte, A., 2001, Il problematico salvataggiodi un grandioso e raro edificio in legno, ilMagazzino Super ex Montecatini di Brindisi.Patrimoine de l’industrie, n. 6, pp. 81-84.Pezzati, M., 1994, Industria e agricoltura: iconcimi chimici, in D’Attorre, P. P., DeBernardi, A. (eds.), Studi sull’agricoltura ital-iana: società rurale et modernizzazione,Feltrinelli, Milano, pp. 373-402.Società Prodotti Chimici Colla e Concimi,1912, Assemblea Generale Ordinaria del 19 marzo 1912. Casa Editrice Italiana,Roma.Tampone, G., 2004, Strutture e costruzioniautarchiche di legno in Italia e Colonie.Caratteri e criteri di conservazione, in“Bollettino degli Ingegneri”, n. 11, pp. 3-10.Trinchieri, G., 2001, Industrie chimiche inItalia dalle origini al 2000, Arvan, Mira (Ve).

AcknowledgmentsThe Author expresses her gratitude to Profes-sor Gennaro Tampone, Chair of the ICOMOSScientific Wood International Committee.

The Superphosphate warehouses: interiors (2013 © Micco F. I.).

The Superphosphate warehouses: footbridge detail (2013 © Micco F. I.). Collapsed trusses in the warehouses (2013 © Micco F. I.).

Sulphuric Acid plant model (2014 © Micco F. I.).

ommissioned by the OperaNazionale Balilla (O.N.B)and assigned, after com-

pletion, to the Gioventù Italianadel Littorio (G.I.L.), the Casadella G.I.L. in Montesacro wasdedicated to the fascist educa-tion of youth. Designed and built in the 1930sin an expanding neighbourhoodin the north-east of Rome, itwas part of an extensive na-tional building programme pro-moted by the O.N.B. Thisinstitution – converted into theGioventù Italiana del Littorio in1937 – was one of the primaryorganisations involved in theFascist regime’s strategy to ob-tain general consensus and,specifically, to educate youngpeople aged six to eighteen,through voluntary recruitment.The detailed educational projectformulated by the O.N.B. led tothe definition of a new buildingtypology, meant to provide therequired spaces for fascist activ-ities and, at the same time, torepresent the modern nature ofthe organisation.To satisfy these demands, thetypology of the casa del balilla(later casa della G.I.L.) was con-ceived as a building equippedwith areas for political, cultural,sport and relief activities, andwhich offered a fertile ground forarchitectural experimentation.From the late 1920s for just overa decade, hundreds of buildingsdesigned by young architectswere scattered throughout Italy.In particular, three main com-plexes were under constructionin Rome in the early 1930s - theCasa del Balilla in Trastevere,the Casa Sperimentale at theForo Mussolini and the Casadella Giovane Italiana on theAventine Hill – in addition to agroup of minor structures lo-

The Casa della G.I.L. in Montesacro:past, present and future of a modernarchitectural landmark in RomeBarbara ParoliArchitect

C

8


cated in different neighbour-hoods of the city. It is within this framework thatthe Casa della G.I.L. in Monte-sacro was designed and realisedbetween 1934 and 1937 byGaetano Minnucci, an engineer

already working for the O.N.B.and actively involved in the na-tional debate on the modernisa-tion of architectural language.Research into modern architec-ture focused on issues of European Rationalism, fully ma-

Casa della G.I.L. in Montesacro, axonometric view of the project, 1936: the building wasconceived as a part of a complex endowed with many outdoor facilities. The drawingwas realised by Minnucci while the building was under construction (Archivio Centraledello Stato, Roma, Fondo Gaetano Minnucci, cd 24, busta 167, cartella 59, img. 778).

View of the gym in 1937. At that time, it was the biggest gym in Italy (Archivio Cen-trale dello Stato, Fondo Gaetano Minnucci, busta 147, fascicolo 260).


9

terialised in the Montesacrobuilding, where a well-definedfunctional programme gener-ated a clear planimetric and vol-umetric composition.Originally conceived as a smallcomplex, as a consequence ofthe gradual expansion of theproject, the Casa della G.I.L.was provided with numerous ad-ditional facilities, including agymnasium – the largest in Italy

at the time – an indoor and anoutdoor swimming pool, a the-atre, a library, a refectory and aninfirmary. According to the func-tional programme, activitieswere organised in recognisableunits and combined to form a C-shaped building.Moreover, the building wasplaced in a complex with outdoorsports grounds, paths, gardensand a smaller building used as a

school of home economics. Theresult was a well-organised com-munity centre capable of servingan area even larger than theneighbourhood itself. Besides a clear and rationalcomposition, the Casa dellaG.I.L. is also characterised bythe quality and breadth of itsstructural and technological ex-perimentation. Such featuresmirrored Minnucci’s engineeringeducation, his constant atten-tion to detail and aspects relatedto construction.Designed to simplify mainte-nance, the technological solu-tion elaborated for thereinforced concrete structure ofthe swimming pools is of greatinterest: a central tunnel run-ning below the indoor swimmingpool offered the possibility forinspection and room for thewater circulation pipes.Likewise, the architect’s specificinterests are evident in the ex-perimentation with Carraramarble panels only 2 cm thick,used to integrally cover thebuilding façades; the same ma-terial was also used for theswimming pools, instead of themore common ceramic tile, notonly for its undisputed aesthetic

The indoor swimming pool, 1937(Archivio Centrale dello Stato, Fondo Gaetano Min-nucci, busta 147, fascicolo 260).

The outdoor swimming pool, 1937 (Archivio Centrale dello Stato, Archivio Minnucci, busta 147, fascicolo 260).


10

quality, but thanks also to itsenhanced durability. In the early 1940s, the Casadella G.I.L. underwent a consid-erable extension to realise aboarding school for the G.I.L.’sfemale instructors. On the basisof functional requirements itwas transformed by Minnucciinto an extremely large buildingand redesigned, altering thecompositional simplicity thatcharacterised the original plan. During the post-war period,after the fall of Fascism, thebuilding was used as a youthhostel. Later, in the 1970s,under the jurisdiction of theLazio Regional Government, itwas divided into several func-tional units assigned to differentmanaging authorities.The former Casa della G.I.L. wasconverted into a post office, aneighbourhood gym, fourschools and municipal offices.Yet the lack of a coherent pro-gramme of reorganisation andthe choice of new functions in-compatible with the originalqualities of the complex led touncontrolled transformationsand the irretrievable loss ofmany elements of the originalstructure. The most invasive in-terventions were those relatedto the post office: the interiorswere almost totally demolishedand a disfiguring car ramp insteel and reinforced concretewas built over the swimmingpool façade, extensively damag-ing the original composition.The situation worsened in theearly 1990s, when the buildingunderwent works to complywith fire safety regulations andremove eventual architecturalbarriers, introducing volumi-nous steel stairs and elevators,as demanded by the RegionalGovernment.Furthermore, a general lack ofmaintenance led to the progres-sive degradation of the entirecomplex. The swimming poolshave suffered most from thenegligence of this political insti-tution: the two structures havebeen completely abandoned to aprogress of degradation that has

The extension designed by Minnucci to realise a boarding school for the G.I.L.‘s fe-male instructors, in the early 1940s (Archivio Centrale dello Stato, Fondo GaetanoMinnucci, busta 141, fascicolo 253).

The swimming pools façade, 1937. The cladding was realised using 2 cm thin Carraramarble panels (Archivio Centrale dello Stato, Fondo Gaetano Minnucci, busta 147,fascicolo 260).

grown more and more evidentover the years. In the indoor swimming pool,the flooring and the cladding ofthe walls is heavily decayed andthe pool finishes defaced withspray-paint. Many windows havebeen walled up to prevent intru-sions, with the consequent lossof the original frames.The outdoor swimming pool, di-rectly exposed to the elements,is infested by weeds; the floor-ing is almost completely lost andthe Carrara marble pool tileshave been heavily damaged bythe presence of stagnant water.The Lazio Regional Governmentrecently allocated funds for therestoration of the gymnasium,


11

Section drawing of the swimming pools. The central tunnel running below the indoor basin offered possibility for inspection androom for the water circulation pipes (Drawing by Barbara Paroli).

The complex after the numerous transformations, 2013 (Image credit: Google Earth).

The gym before the last restoration works, occurred between 2013 and 2014.


12

condemned last year because ofthe deterioration of its water-proofing system. This first inter-vention has finally drawn publicattention to the urgent conditionof the building, highlighting theneed for further restorations.During the ceremony markingthe re-opening of the gymna-sium, at the end of September2014, the Regional Governmentannounced a new investmentplan for the restoration of theschool’s auditorium. It is to behoped that these works willmark the beginning of a moreextensive restoration pro-gramme. The next could per-haps be the restoration of theswimming pools.A coherent project of functionaldistribution, restoration worksfocused on preserving originalelements and the demolition ofincongruous additions – such asthe post office ramp – could re-store the lost architecturalidentity and function of theswimming pools. Returning these forgottensports facilities to the publiccould be a first step toward re-vitalising the entire complex, sovaluable to the neighbourhoodof Montesacro.

ReferencesP. Marconi, La casa della G.I.L. a Monte-sacro in Roma, in “Architettura”, n. 12,1939, pp. 693-710.Case per la gioventù. Una nuova ar-chitettura per una nuova tipologia, in“Parametro”, n. 172, 1989, pp. 14-55. R. Vittorini, La casa della GIL di GaetanoMinnucci, in M. Casciato, S. Mornati, C. P.Scavizzi (eds.), 150 anni di costruzioneedile in Italia, Atti del II Seminario Inter-nazionale, Edilstampa, Roma 1992, pp.333-344.R. Vittorini, La casa del Balilla di GaetanoMinnucci (1935 – 37), in P. G. Bardelli,La costruzione moderna in Italia:indagine sui caratteri originari e sul de-grado di alcuni edifici, Edilstampa, Roma2001, pp. 262 – 277.R. Capomolla, M. Mulazzani, R. Vittorini,Case del Balilla. Architettura e fascismo,Electa, Milano 2008.

All images from the Archivio Centraledello Stato are supplied courtesy of theMinistero per i Beni e le attività culturali(Archivio Centrale dello Stato, permis-sion n. 1230/2014).

The indoor swimming pool, 2014. The cladding of the walls and the covering of thebasin are defaced with paint spray; the flooring is heavily degraded; many windowsare walled-up.

The outdoor swimming pool, 2014. The whole area is infested by weeds; the floor-ing is almost completely lost; the marble covering of the basin is heavily damagedby the presence of stagnant water.

The disfiguring car ramp in steel and reinforced concrete built over the swimmingpools façade in the 1970s.

13

royectada entre el 1968 y 1973, laCasa Árbol de Giuseppe Perugini yUga de Plaisant1 constituye un

caso excepcional de experimentaciónarquitectónica. Realizada en un terre-no caracterizado por enormes pinosmarítimos, a pocos metros del mar deFregene2, su forma expresa, de ma-nera original, esa insistente y apasio-nada búsqueda, formal y técnica, típicade la década de los Sesenta en Italia.La Casa Árbol debe su nombre a lainédita armazón de trabes y pilastrasde hormigón armado, que acogen unaserie de volúmenes, completamenteindependientes de la estructura, quese apoyan o se adosan libremente alos elementos horizontales o verti-cales, entrelazándose para formar unarmonioso y divertido juegovolumétrico, de fuerte influencia neo-plástica3. Sus fachadas de vidrio o enpaneles prefabricados dan lugar a unconjunto de gran vivacidad.Todo en la casa sugiere ilimitada li-bertad imaginativa: la estructura po-dría continuarse al infinito,superponiendo un sinnúmero de ulte-riores elementos verticales y horizon-tales. Del mismo modo, los volúmeneshabitados podrían seguir creciendo,anidando entre las ramas ortogonalesde la estructura portante.La Casa Árbol no tiene una fachadaprincipal: cada lado podría asumir esepapel; sólo la presencia de una es-calera metálica levadiza denota el ac-ceso al piso alto, único nivel habitable.En la planta baja, un espejo de agua,realizado también en hormigón ar-mado, colabora, con sus reflejos, amultiplicar indefinidamente losvolúmenes habitados. Sobre las su-perficies de hormigón aparente, letrasy números en bajo relieve, confierenal edificio un aspecto aún más indes-cifrable y enigmático5.El interior se configura como un granopen space, sin paredes divisorias yen el cual sólo los desniveles delsuelo señalan los cambios de uso. Esun espacio fluido, en el que las vistas

P

La Casa Árbol de FregeneMaría Margarita Segarra LagunesDipartimento di Architettura - Università degli Studi Roma Tre

se abren en toda dirección, aun enposiciones anómalas para una ven-tana tradicional (por ejemplo, rasandoel suelo) y en el que, originariamente,la mayor parte de los muebles estu-vieron integrados a las paredes(closets, repisas, etc.). Los baños, con-cebidos como pequeñas cápsulas

adosadas a la fachada, fueron, tam-bién en este caso, objeto de experi-mentación de soluciones alternativas:una puerta circular, fijada por mediode un perno central, gira 90° para per-mitir el acceso a la cápsula, al mismotiempo que las instalaciones correnexternamente, empaquetadas en un

Casa Árbol, de Giuseppe Perugini y Uga de Plaisant, en Fregene.


ducto, con el objeto de resolver, defi-nitivamente, el problema del mante-nimiento de tuberías y de cableadoseléctricos.Junto al cuerpo principal, y en mediode altos pinos, la sala de meditación,constituida por una esfera dehormigón, con una compuerta circular,que permite el acceso al interior, yuna fisura que circunda la esfera, de-sempeñando el papel de ventana.Más allá, en el fondo del jardín, lashabitaciones de invitados: pequeñascabinas, dispuestas en línea, lascuales, al igual que el resto del con-

junto, acentúan la precisa intenciónde parecer simplemente apoyadas alterreno, enfatizando un carácter deli-beradamente provisional y dispuestoa seguir modificándose en el tiempo.Sin embargo, todo en este lugar hasido diseñado hasta el último detalle:por ejemplo, la verja del jardín, rea-lizada en metal y elementos dehormigón prefabricados in situ, fueobjeto de numerosos estudios. Y hastalos mecanismos de apertura delportón de ingreso fueron proyectadosespecialmente para este lugar.Hoy, este excepcional edificio muestra

las huellas de años de abandono: a lamuerte de Perugini, la familia dejó depasar los veranos en la casa y ésta fueconvirtiéndose en objetivo de vánda-los y refugio de vagabundos. La CasaÁrbol requiere de una urgente inter-vención de restauración.Las superficies de hormigón se hanteñido de verde y naranja por el musgoque ha crecido sobre ellas; los elemen-tos metálicos, por la proximidad al mar,presentan fenómenos de corrosión. Losvidrios rotos deberán sustituirse. Pero,afortunadamente, en la mayor parte delos casos, se trata de operaciones de


14

15

mantenimiento ordinario. La estructuraportante, a excepción de una trabe ho-rizontal que presenta una deformacióndebida probablemente a un error decálculo original, se encuentra en condi-ciones aceptables: sólo en algún puntoaislado la oxidación de la armadura hacausado el desprendimiento delhormigón.Giuseppe Perugini, nacido en Ar-gentina y trasplantado a Italia antesde la segunda guerra mundial, habríacumplido en 2014 cien años. Profesorde composición arquitectónica en laUniversidad de Roma “La Sapienza”,logró uno de sus mayores éxitos pro-fesionales con el proyecto, realizadocon Mario Fiorentino, del Mausoleo delas Fosas Ardeatinas: un monumentocon un fuerte carácter símbólico, ob-jeto del primer concurso de arquitec-tura de la post-guerra, que seconvirtió en el símbolo del re-nacimiento del país después de la de-rrota bélica.Además de otros importantes edificios(Palacio del Tribunal en Roma, HotelDelta, a pocos metros del Coliseo),dedicó varios años de su vida a rea-lizar, junto con Uga de Plaisant, com-pañera de vida y profesional, la CasaÁrbol, con la intención de experimen-tar nuevos códigos lingüísticos,nuevas formas de habitar, nuevosmodos de construir.

Notas1 Con la colaboración de Raynaldo Perugini.2 Localidad balnearia en el mar Tirreno, cer-cana a Roma.3 Además de la referencia al Neoplasticismo,puede recordarse el paralelismo con la ar-quitectura radical italiana (Archizoom y Su-perstudio), de esos mismos años, y con losproyectos del grupo Archigram (que experi-mentaron la estructura abierta y com-ponible, la 'plug in city'.4 Las siglas son referencias numéricas a losdiferentes componentes, entendidos comoreproducibles y ensamblables de diferentesmaneras.


l objetivo principal de nues-tro Comité Científico es lapreservación de las estruc-

turas portantes de la arquitec-tura patrimonial: arquitecturaque no es sólo la del rico legadohistórico de siglos atrás, sinoque incluye también obras demás reciente construcción.Hacemos un notable énfasis enla respuesta y preparación antefenómenos naturales – en ma-yo de 2011 nos reunimos en LaHabana para hablar de estosimportantes temas – pero tam-bién deben ser tenidas encuenta la respuesta y prepa-ración, no ante sino contra,otros fenómenos de un carác-ter diferente: los fenómenosantrópicos.Con la excusa del desarrollo, elcrecimiento y el progreso,hemos visto caer obras de ver-dadero carácter patrimonial,cuya pérdida habría podido evi-tarse.Tal es el caso de dos obras quecito como advertencia de lo quepuede y debe ser impedido.El primer caso es el de la im-presionante y hermosa estruc-tura de un mercado de carnesen Matache, Rumanía.El World Monuments Watch so-licitó colaboración a ISCARSAHpara que un grupo de expertosmanifestaran su opinión sobreel valor de la edificación y el in-terés que podría tener conser-varla, ante un proyecto queproponía su demolición paraconstruir una carretera con untrazado que sin mayores dificul-tades podría ser modificado.Se dio un plazo a los expertospara que dieran sus opiniones ysucedió que, antes que el plazovenciera, el edificio fue de-molido y todo aquel valor patri-monial se perdió.El segundo caso es en La Ha-bana. A inicios de la década de1930 fueron construidos doshospitales por la prestigiosa

Arquitectura contemporánea en peligro Orestes M. del Castillo del PradoMiembro Experto de ISCARSAHICOMOS- CUBA

E

Matache Marcelau Hall Market.

La estructura de la cubierta.

Vista general de la estructura de cubierta.

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014 News from ISCARSAH Members

16

firma de arquitectos cubanosGovantes y Cabarrocas en pun-tos extremos de la Avenida delos Presidentes, uno de ellospediátrico y el otro de mater-nidad.Dos magníficos ejemplos delempleo del Art Déco para esosfines. Hace más de 20 años sedecidió hacer una intervenciónen el hospital pediátrico, quenunca se llevó a hechos. El edi-ficio se vació completamente ycayó en un doloroso proceso deabandono y desidia y fue ob-jeto, además, de un dolorosovandalismo.Hoy pasamos por la pena dever cercenada esa valiosa piezade nuestro patrimonio construi-do, sufriendo un proceso de de-molición irreversible.Estas lecciones, para las que nohay la posibilidad de una re-spuesta lógica, ni una pre-paración para evitar esaspérdidas lamentables, como sepuede lograr en los casos deenfrentamiento a desastres na-turales, son una prueba precisade la importancia grande quetiene la creación de una con-ciencia de atención y respetohacia monumentos que soníconos de lo que representa,para la cultura en general, laconservación del patrimonio ar-quitectónico de una nación.

Detalle de la estructura de cubierta.

Fachada.

Planta.

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014News from ISCARSAH Members

17

parks Engineering, Inc. ispleased to announce thepublication of the follow-

ing study, which can be down-loaded from our website usingthe link below.We supported the study teamwith structural condition as-sessments, design and reha-bilitation alternatives, andinsights into appropriate an-titerrorism/progressive-col-lapse approaches for historicbuildings.http://www.sparksengi-neering.com/about-us/re-sources?did=5This DoD-funded study findsthat Pre-War buildings can becost effective compared tonew construction on a life-cycle cost basis, both withand without factoring in themonetized value of green-house gas emissions.Modernization of Pre-WarBuildings can achieve compa-rable levels of energy con-sumption as new construction.On a life-cycle cost basis, Pre-War Buildings generate lesstotal GHG emissions com-pared to new construction:GHG savings from initial con-struction is the driver of thisresult. Includes discussion ofsome challenging aspects ofDoD facility rehab, such asAntiterrorism and ProgressiveCollapse treatment.

S

Demonstrating the Environmental & EconomicCost-Benefits of Reusing DoDs Pre-WWIIBuildings - ESTCP SI 0931 Patrick SparksSparks Engineering, Inc.


18

19

omme chaque année, lecomité ICOMOS-Maroccélèbre la Journée interna-

tionale des monuments et dessites. Le thème choisi pour l’année2014 est : « Patrimoine de la com-mémoration ». Ainsi, le comité na-tional de l’ICOMOS a organisé unerencontre liée à cette journée im-portante et dédiée au patrimoinede la ville de Casablanca sur lethème « Casablanca : lieux de mémoire »,afin de sensibiliser le public à cetype particulier de patrimoine. Larencontre a eu lieu le Samedi 19Avril 2014, à la maison de la Cul-ture (ancienne église espagnoleBuenaventura récemment réhabi-litée en centre culturel), situéedans la Médina de Casablanca. Larencontre s’est déroulée toutel’après-midi et a rassemblé environ40 personnes.

Patrimoine de la commémoration Le Président d’ICOMOS Maroc,Mr Abdelati LAHLOU, après avoirsouhaité la bienvenue aux partici-pants, a fait une introduction surla thématique de la Journée inter-nationale des monuments et dessites, en mettant la ville deCasablanca à l’honneur pour cettecélébration universelle. Il a en-suite justifié le choix deCasablanca car celle-ci recèle unpatrimoine architectural et urbainexceptionnel. Le choix porté surcette ville tient également comptede son inscription au patrimoineuniversel de l’Unesco. Ce projetporté par l’association Casamé-moire est soutenu et accompagnétout au long du processus parICOMOS Maroc. La rencontre, modérée parMr Rachid Benbrahim Andaloussi,Architecte et Président de Casamé-moire, s’est structurée autour detrois interventions programmées :-« La place des Nations Unies. Pôled’échanges et d’urbanité con-trastée » par Mme MeryemKOURAICH, Architecte, membredu comité de ICOMOS Maroc.Résumé : « C’est la première placequi a été intégrée aux premiers

C

Compte Rendu de la Rencontre dédiée aupatrimoine de la ville de Casablanca sur le thème« Casablanca : lieux de mémoire »organisée par ICOMOS MarocKhalid El HarrouniVice Président de ICOMOS Maroc - Professeur à l’Ecole Nationale d’Architecture

plans d’aménagements deCasablanca dessinés par l’Archi-tecte Henri Prost en 1914 et a servide lien entre l’ancienne médina ‘in-digène’ et le centre-ville qui sym-bolisait la modernité et le progrès.La place des Nations Unies, sonhorloge, sa coupole ‘kora Ardia’ ettous les édifices qui l’entourentdont certains datent d’un siècle,sont adoptés et intégrés dans laconscience commune casablan-

caise. Cette place est un paysagevivant, qui atteint de façon tangiblela mémoire d’une partie de l’aven-ture humaine casablancaise. À cetitre, elle participe à une certaineforme de commémoration et detransmission, par son authenticitéet son intégrité, des valeurs quicomprennent celle de l’histoire. Atravers mon exposé, j’évoquerailes multiples visages qu’elle avêtus et ses métamorphes lors de


20

son évolution dans le temps… ».-« Le port de Casablanca, un sym-bole vivace dans le paysage urbainde la ville » par Mme Leila Maziane,Professeur Universitaire, UniversitéHassan II, Mohammedia.Résumé : « Il est impensable deparler de la mémoire de la ville deCasablanca, sans évoquer sonport. Né dans sa forme actuelle, ily a cent ans, le port de Casablancadevient rapidement le grand portmoderne du Maroc et la porte d’en-trée de sa capitale économique. Ilmodèle la ville et en fait ce qu'elleest aujourd'hui. Dans cette journéedédiée au patrimoine de la commé-moration, nous nous intéressonsdonc au port de Casablanca en tantqu’élément vivace de la mémoirecollective casablancaise et en tantqu’objet de commémoration. Nousnous arrêterons également surson destin exceptionnel qui mar-quera profondément le développe-ment urbain et économique decette grande ville portuaire duMaroc indépendant ».-« Les Textes Législatifs régissantl'urbanisme pendant l'époque duProtectorat » par Mr AbdelatiLahlou, Chercheur Anthropologue,Directeur Adjoint BNRM, Présidentde ICOMOS Maroc.Les pratiques de commémorationconstituent un phénomène cultureltrès ancien visant à perpétuer lesouvenir d’un évènement, d’un per-sonnage, d’un édifice, d’une placeou d’une idée. Comme toutes lesvilles du Maroc, Casablanca a doncété sensible à son devoir de sou-venir. Les grandes étapes de sonurbanisation sont encore lisibles. En fait, la ville a connu plusieursévénements au cours de son his-toire qui ont façonné sa structureurbaine; elle est considéréecomme le produit des populationsqui l’habitent, qui ont marqué lepaysage et qui en ont forgé l’iden-tité. Son évolution est issue destructures héritées du passé et del’action des acteurs et des groupessociaux qui ont le pouvoir de latransformer. Ceci s’est répercutéainsi sur son développementéconomique ainsi que son paysageurbain et architectural.La rencontre autour de la théma-tique « Casablanca : Lieux de mé-moire » tente de comprendre lesdiverses transformations desprocessus urbains et architec-turaux de cette ville, comment etpar qui, elle a été pensée, constru-ite et habitée. Il s’agit de retracer


les processus de configuration ur-baine de quelques lieux, à savoir laplace des Nations Unies et l’infra-structure portuaire, selon au moinsdeux angles de lecture. Le premieraborde ces lieux comme objetd’histoire urbaine, objet de com-mémoration, en appréhendant leurpaysage urbain ainsi que leur des-tin qui a marqué le développementurbain et économique de la ville deCasablanca. Le second examineune société, qui par le rapportqu’elle a entretenu avec ces lieuxde mémoire, a produit, marqué leslieux et l’espace environnant,transformé ou conservé les struc-tures plus anciennes, par con-séquent qui a généré de l’urbainet de l’activité économique. Les interventions ont pu restituer leprocessus historique de formationet de transformation des lieux demémoire, la place des NationsUnies et le port, en s’appuyant surles matériaux historiques ainsi queles photos d’archives. Elles ontégalement tenté de retracer unemémoire de ces lieux, de recom-poser les traces et de les situerdans l’histoire de la ville deCasablanca et de sa région. Unegrande partie de ces interventionss’insère dans une réflexion plusgénérale de comment aborderégalement le patrimoine architec-tural et urbain issu de l’époquecoloniale. Des actions de ce genrede lecture historique des monu-ments et des sites contribuenténormément au processus de lamise en valeur de notre précieuxpatrimoine. Le débat a suscité denombreuses questions dans le pub-lic. Il a été suivi d’une pause qui apermis à la plupart des participantsde poursuivre les échanges entreeux ou avec le panel.Le Président d’ICOMOS Maroc a re-mercié l’ensemble des participantset intervenants pour la qualité dutravail accompli pour cette Journéeinternationale des monuments et desites sur le thème « Casablanca :Lieux de mémoire ». La réussite decette importante manifestation ré-sulte d'une coopération exemplaireentre les membres du Comité Na-tional ICOMOS Maroc, les représen-tants de la Direction Régionale de laCulture de la Région du GrandCasablanca, les principaux acteursde Casamémoire, et les inter-venants potentiels qui ont brillé parleur communication. L’ensemble agrandement facilité la tâche pourréussir l’évènement.

21


o contribute to the preservationand enhancement of heritage,

ICOMOS International Scientific Com-mittees ICORP and ISCARSAH pro-pose a training program for practicingarchitects and engineers who are in-volved or want to be involved instructural restoration of heritagestructures. It is well known that thereare no subjects on preservation ofheritage structures in most of thestructural engineering curriculum andarchitects necessitate understandingthe structural behavior. This program,taking into account of the diverseforms of architectural heritage andnative knowledge, is programed topromote understanding, exchangeand cooperation between local uni-versities, institutions, professionals inheritage sector researching, teachingand working with heritage. As a plat-form of sharing knowledge and dia-logue it is a fundamental and centralcontribution to the wider roles and re-sponsibilities of these two interna-tional scientific committees. The proposed program is developedas full five days packages for eachstructural system, namely; timberstructures, stone and brick masonrystructures, earthen structures, ironstructures and early concrete struc-tures of architectural heritage thatwere built before current manufactur-ing and construction standards. Eachpackage consists of two moduli; Firstmodulus “A” that covers preservationcriteria, codes and standards forpreservation, documentation methodsand intervention decisions is same forall the structure typologies. Secondmodulus differs according to eachspecialized moduli related to struc-tural typology as "B" for historic tim-ber, "C" for historic stone and brickmasonry, "D" for earthen structures,“E” for historic iron and "F" for his-toric early concrete structures that in-clude sole concrete structures(without any reinforcement), ferro-ce-ment and ferro-concrete structures.Each structural typology covers localand international construction tech-niques, material properties, structural

Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014

T

22

Training Program on Risk Preparedness &Structural Repair and Restoration ofArchitectural HeritageGörün ArunVice president of ISCARSAH

Confrences, courses

behavior, diagnosing methods ofdamages, risk factors during restora-tion and/or maintenance, structuralevaluation, post disaster safety meas-ures, material and structural repair,retrofit and restoration and measuresto be taken for risk mitigation before,during and after an intervention. Eachpackage also includes site visits andevaluation of the site with the atten-

dants where the attendants are en-couraged to write a report on presentcondition of the structures in the fol-lowing courses. The training program is planned to beorganized and implemented in coop-eration with local universities andprofessional associations. The syl-labus of each modulus may be modi-fied according to the discussions with

23

local colleagues and adapted to localclimatic, technical, cultural conditionsand traditions. The objective of the proposed pro-gram is to improve and enhance theoverall knowledge and understand-ing of structural restoration of archi-tectural heritage during pre and postdisaster conditions. The main aim isto point that heritage structures areconstructed with different technol-ogy, their material and structural be-havior is different, being cautiouswith incompatible materials and in-tervention criteria is important, andwhen deciding on intervention, theirauthenticity and integrity have to berespected. It is important to point thatthere are some solutions that are effi-cient and better than others fromrestoration principles, compatibility,durability, and of course safety as-pects, presenting the advantages andinconveniences of the various meth-ods using both basic theory and prac-tical guidelines and examples. It isalso important to present case stud-ies both for the evaluation of thepresent condition and for the deci-sion making and the implementationof interventions in structures. Theprogram is oriented in order to in-form, raise awareness and share ex-perience with academics andpractitioners. This training program is scheduledfor full five days and it does not sub-stitute a Master study. Neverthelessthis can reach architects and engi-neers who need input on the matterand cannot have time to follow longcourses. However such training maybe useful for decision makers andmay activate a deeper interest of ar-chitects and engineers for furthercommitment on conservation andrestoration of heritage structures.Both ICOMOS International ScientificCommittees ICORP and ISCARSAH,with their experts are ready to im-plement the training program on“Risk Preparedness & Structural Re-pair and Restoration of ArchitecturalHeritage” and look forward for appli-cations.

Conferences, courses Iscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014

Conferences, coursesIscarsah newsletter n. 6-7/2014

Call for AbstractsWe invite researchers and practitioners from all aspects of the history of construction to submitpaper abstracts for the 5th International Congress on Construction History, to be held in Chicago andhosted by the Construction History Society of America June 3-7, 2015.The congress follows on successful interdisciplinary congresses held in Madrid (2003), Cambridge UK(2006), Cottbus (2009), and Paris (2012).Paper and Presentation ProposalsPapers will be published in the Congress proceedings and will be presented by the authors at theCongress.Each paper proposal must include:

• a title,• authors’ names and institutional affiliations,• an abstract of 400 words,• key words (selected, if possible, from the list of topics and subjects),• a one-page curriculum vitae indicating contact information, status, laboratory affiliation if relevant, and publications or other relevant work for each author.

Papers presented at the congress will be published in both electronic and paper versions. All papersand presentations must be in English.Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Submission:Submit proposals to https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icch5 by June 1, 2014

Web site: http://5icch.org

Paper topics may include:History and construction of specific projects History of the building trades or specific buildersOrganization of construction workWages and the economics of constructionThe development of building codes and regulationsTrade unions and guildsStructural analysis and the development of structural formsDevelopment of construction tools, cranes, scaffolding, etcBuilding techniques in response to their environmentsBuilding materials, their history, production and useHistory of services (heating, lighting etc.) in buildingsThe changing role of the professions in constructionBuilding archaeologyComputer simulation, experimentation and reconstructionUse of construction history for dating of historic fabricRecording, preservation and conservationConstruction in architectural writingThe role of construction history in educationThe bibliography of construction historyThe theory and practice of construction history

Important Dates:Deadline for abstracts:

June 1, 2014Abstract decision notification:

August 15, 2014 Deadline for paper submission:

February 1, 2015Deadline for final papers:

March 31, 2015

24

5th International Congress onConstruction History Chicago, June 3-7, 2015

Documents

Iscarsah newsletter 6-7 Layout 1