The Study of the Historic Buildings of Eclecticism in Thessaloniki Under the Prism of Sustainability

Abstract

During the end of the 19th century, Thessaloniki expanded and new buildings were constructed according to the architectural style of this period. Nowadays, they present severe damages, since they were abandoned and need restoration interventions. This paper concerns the systematic study of the building materials and construction techniques, of six Eclecticism buildings concerning: Administration building of the Allatini complex (1879), 1st Gymnasium (1890), Melissa orphanage (1896), the house of Sarantaporou st. (1906), the building of Anagenniseos st. (1910), Villa Bianca (1913). The study includes insitu observation of the constructional materials and techniques and analysis of the bearing system. An experimental analysis of building materials, revealed the main principles and details followed in the construction of the past. As it is concluded, the main building materials used were unshaped stones (limestone, schist), bricks (compact and hollowed) and mortars (structural, plasters, renders) based in lime and pozzolan. Generally, ashlar masonries were found in the basement and ground floor of the structures, while brick masonries were used for the construction of the first and second floor. The compact bricks were used for the external walls, while hollowed bricks were used for the upper and internal ones. Floors were constructed with wooden or metallic beams and were covered with tapestry or ceramic tiles. Metallic elements were also used for the connection and confinement of the masonry walls. Externally façades were decorated with thick colored renders of specific stratigraphy, while internally wall and roof plasters were decorated with frescoes. The study of the historic buildings of Eclecticism of Thessaloniki showed many similarities regarding the materials used and the constructional techniques applied. In all cases, the principles followed were closely related to the sustainability and economy, taking into account specific architectural and morphological aspects.