Restoration was undertaken to rescue the exterior elevations and the spacious interiors. In addition to material and mapping of dilapidation, an extensive campaign of stratigraphic investigation and preliminary tests for the definition of operational procedures was carried out. Particular attention to cleaning and consolidation techniques was taken. With regard to the patina and texture of components, the treatment of stone surfaces in Candoglia marble, granite and pink Baveno stone from Lucerne, was aimed at restoring the original colour balance, eliminating additions, and removing black crusts and efflorescence on walls.
For operations effected on grouting and the reconstitution of missing volume, natural hydraulic lime and selected aggregates based on compatibility with the original material and colour-grading affinity were selected. Recovery of cohesion between the particles disintegrated so as to regenerate the material avoiding the use of synthetic products was achieved through the consolidating treatment. The last procedure was to the adopt indirect methods and the application of protective substances to counter a precocious return to dilapidation.
The project for the competition was directed by the Group Rota with Italo Rota as group leader, Emmanuele Auxilia, Fabio Fornasari and Paul Montanari. The consultant in charge of interior design was Alessandro Pedretti. Art direction and its implementation were carried out by Italo Rota and Fabio Fornasari, with Alessandro Pedretti responsible for interior design and lighting.
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