Rehabilitation of renders of old buildings in Portugal

Carmo Gonçalves De Carvalho,Paulina Faria,Inês Flores-Colen

doi:10.1108/ss-04-2015-0024

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a proposal for a methodology to support the rehabilitation project of renders of old buildings. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the objective it was considered essential to define the main types of participants and aspects to integrate the proposal. The research methodology consists in an inquiry presented to several professional participants in rehabilitation, a market study of materials and products available in Portugal, the design of a methodology proposal and its application to a case study. The inquiry sample totals 24 answers from the targeted professionals. A sequence of relevant supporting procedures consists in the proposal, which aims to provide a supporting methodology to decide and project in this context and also to be tested with its application to the building. This proposal was applied to an old building with load-bearing stone masonry walls and air-lime-based renders. Findings – It was concluded that the assessment of the building and ex+ternal renderings’ condition, its diagnosis and of the supporting walls, the definition of intervention, the specification of materials to be used and performance requirements to comply, and also plans for conservation and periodic maintenance, are crucial. From the inquiry, compatibility between materials and complementary roles and points of view of different types of participants in rehabilitation must be highlighted. Originality/value – A proposal for a methodology to support the project could provide useful guidance particularly for architects and construction engineers, and improve the understanding of direct participants on site, therefore contributing for the correct implementation of the intervention.

Highlights

The rehabilitation of old buildings is seen as necessary or, at least, as sufficient intervention actions to their appropriate safety, functionality and comfort, with respect to its architecture, type and construction system (Appleton, 2011; Doehne and Price, 2010; Freitas, 2012)
The work presented in this paper is intended to promote a critical approach to the process of rehabilitation and conservation of an old building, consisting in a starting base for the development of an effective approach on site
This study is intended to bring a contribution to optimize the process of characterisation, diagnosis and intervention at some stage of the rehabilitation of old buildings with an adequate approach, a proposal of relevant procedures and an applicable methodology

Summary

Introduction

The rehabilitation of old buildings is seen as necessary or, at least, as sufficient intervention actions to their appropriate safety, functionality and comfort, with respect to its architecture, type and construction system (Appleton, 2011; Doehne and Price, 2010; Freitas, 2012). Portugal subscribed substantially relevant charters and international recommendations in this context: the Athens Charter (1931), Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments; the Venice Charter (1964), International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites; later, the Burra Charter (1999), Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance; Cracow Charter (2000) referring to the Principles for Conservation and Restoration of Built Heritage (Román, 2002); and ICOMOS Charter (2003) referring to Principles for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage These charters express a clear recognition of the intrinsic value of the constructive building system together with the architectural, historical and artistic values, while a good practice of rehabilitation or conservation and the necessary involvement of multidisciplinary teams are deemed as very important (Appleton, 2011; Freitas, 2012). In a less intrusive intervention, in architectural heritage, the safeguard of a building authenticity on compliance with regulatory requirements of safety and comfort should be clear (Dester and Blockley, 1995; Freitas, 2012; Holmstrom, 2000)

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Conclusion