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DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN methods, the PhD programme provides the candidate with a rich and

PhD Yearbook | 2014

very interesting experience.
PRESERVATION OF the The on-going contact with the breakthroughs from studies and
research carried out in Italian and international contexts and the will
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE to promote joint projects are fostered through expanding the network
of relations the university entertain with other universities and
research centres in different geographic areas of the world.
In this regard, over the past 3 years the PhD programme in
Preservation of the Architectural Heritage has been committed to
promoting and coordinating inter-doctoral courses contributed by 617
The PhD programme in “Preservation of the Architectural Heritage”, foreign professors from different European countries (lately the Course

PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Chair: first activated at the Politecnico di Milano back in 1983, is organized of the PhD School Tradition and Perspectives of Polytechnic Culture in
Prof. Carolina Di Biase in a renewed form. In addition to the professors of architectural Europe). 1. Overall perspective of Hunedoara
restoration, history of architecture and structural strengthening of the Such activity will further benefit from the co-operation with other Steelworks, 1970s. Source: CSH
Politecnico di Milano, the Faculty Board includes representatives from PhD programmes in the Politecnico di Milano and the universities that Photographic Archives, Hunedoara
(Ro)
other well-known universities and research institutes (professors of collaborate with the PhD programme activities.
the Università di Genova, IUAV, Venezia; experts at the highest level in
the field of preservation of cultural heritage and of the administration Coursework
of cultural heritage in Italy: Istituto Superiore per il Restauro e The PhD programme, lasting three years, calls for the acquisition of
la Conservazione ISCR, formerly Istituto Centrale del Restauro, 180 credits overall.
Soprintendenza Regionale della Lombardia); they collaborate actively Thirty credits are concentrated in the first year and are divided as
in the teaching and research activities. follows: 25 (minimum) offered by
The ultimate purpose of the enlarged Faculty Board not only resides PhD courses organized by the PhD programme in Preservation of the
in broadening the experiences that the PhD candidates acquire over architectural heritage, and 5 credits offered by the PhD School.
the first three years of the course, where they have the opportunity The academic plan of the PhD programme revolves around 5 main
to interact with scholars from different backgrounds; it chiefly aims research areas:
at providing the PhD candidates with a unique training experience in 1. Preservation culture and practice; 2. Diagnostics of materials and
the Italian panorama, so far unparalleled also in domains other than structures and rehabilitation of historic buildings; 3. Methods and
the preservation and restoration of the cultural heritage. Such context, themes of historical research; 4. Construction history; 5. Historical
where different traditions and approaches are compared, investigates territory and landscape.
the synergies and responses to the modern themes of cultural The remaining credits are aimed at personal study and research for the
2. The ruin of Union Church at
heritage protection. PhD thesis. Moreover, for each PhD candidate a specific study path Shanghai, built in 1886 by Arch.
The PhD programme is meant as the place where theorization, is organized and PhD candidates may attend courses offered by the William Dowdall. Shot by the author
methodology, investigation into the most significant chapters of the School for Specialists (Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Architettonici in 2006 before the reconstruction.
protection of historic architectural and cultural heritage are connected e del Paesaggio - SSBAP) in Milan and in Genoa, in relation to the
to complex, challenging operating research themes, on-site and lab various topics of their thesis.
experimentation of analytical and diagnostic stages and, finally, the The activities undertaken during the second and third year also
experimentation at building sites which cater for the foremost Italian include attendance of workshops, seminars, national and international
works. conferences related to individual research, with great attention to
The relationship with Italian Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali conferences wherein PhD candidates present the results, even partial,
e il turismo, Mibact, has been definitely fruitful, especially when of their research theses.
we consider that many among the best PhDs in Preservation of
Architectural Heritage have been hired as officers and executives to Research organization and topics
the above ministry. Educational activities are related to research either under way or
at an early stage of development, some of which addresses major
Teaching aims monumental structures and some of the most renowned sites of the
The Faculty Board organization allows to investigate and share world.
extremely relevant, up-to-date topics that, architectural heritage To the aim of their thesis research, PhD candidates have the
being the high spot of research, describe the complex domain of opportunity to rely on facilities and
preservation, a strategic field and, at the same time, one of the chief laboratories, both inside and outside the University, the breadth and 3. The vulnerability status of
Shikumen house at 393-14 Wujin Rd,
resources of the Italian economy and future. width of which provides them with a crucial support to the aim of
Shanghai. Shot by the author in Sep
Being a mix of differentiated research, experimentation and operating acquiring “competence for highly qualified research activities” in the 2010.
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domain of cultural heritage protection. courses, encouraged in the framework of the

PhD Yearbook | 2014

Doctoral Program Board
In this connection, the PhD programme deems to PhD programme since its establishment, equally
carry on the long - standing collaboration with values the fundamental contribution of historical Carolina DI BIASE (Head), Full Professor – Architectural Restoration (Politecnico di Milano)
the ICVBC-CNR (the Institute for the Preservation research a longside its methods (see the thesis
Claudio CHESI (Vice coordinator), Full Professor – Structural mechanics (Politecnico di Milano)
and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage) “Gino on “blue and red wall” buildings in Shanghai,
Bozza” Unit, Milan, and the CNR-Isac (Institute China. figures 2, 3); at the same time it features Maurizio BORIANI, Full Professor – Architectural and urban restoration (Politecnico di Milano)
of Sciences of Atmosphere and Climate) of innovative, pioneering themes: research about Paolo CARPEGGIANI, Full Professor – History of Architecture (Politecnico di Milano)
Padua. As for the thesis research, candidates thus the energy response of buildings targeted to
Maria Antonietta CRIPPA, Full Professor – History of Architecture (Politecnico di Milano)
have the opportunity to address and investigate the reuse of existing technical systems and to
in-depth the wide-ranging themes connected reducing the impact of new systems which, since Alberto GRIMOLDI, Full Professor, Head of the Specialization School of Architectural Heritage and 619
to heritage knowledge and preservation long, have been extensively addressed by the PhD Landscape (Politecnico di Milano)

PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

broadly meant, such as advanced methods programme and at the heart of an International Lorenzo JURINA, Associate Professor – Structural mechanics (Politecnico di Milano)
of investigation; knowledge management exchange with European universities and research
Serena PESENTI, Associate Professor - Architectural Restoration (Politecnico di Milano)
and preservation processes applied to historic labs; the research about BIM technologies
buildings tradition; twentieth-century heritage applied to architectural heritage, as evidenced Ornella SELVAFOLTA, Full Professor - History of Architecture (Politecnico di Milano)
and cultural landscapes, as in the thesis dealing by “Building Information Modelling for the Eugenio VASSALLO, Full Professor - Architectural Restoration (IUAV, Venezia)
with historical event and destiny of Hunedoara current architectural heritage (Albergo dei Poveri,
plants, in Romania (figure 1), or in that of Genoa), or the studies carried about the seismic Paolo FACCIO, Associate Professor - Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings (IUAV, Venezia)
“Energy” technological landscape in Valtellina, vulnerability of buildings, which will be keyed to Stefano MUSSO, Full Professor - Head of the Specialization School for Architectural Heritage and
committed by A2A Energia. investigating the cognitive methods underlying Landscape (Università di Genova)
This aspect increases the technical aspects, and the “Guidelines for the assessment and reduction Giovanna FRANCO, Associate Professor – Renovation technologies (Università di Genova)
will make PhD immediately competitive at the of the seismic hazard the cultural heritage” Gisella CAPPONI, Head of the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro ISCR (formerly
European level. (Ministerial Circular n.26 of 2nd October 2010, Istituto Centrale del Restauro) Rome
The multi-disciplinary nature of the doctoral D.P.C.M. 9th February”). Barbara DAVIDDE, Archaeologist on behalf of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Head of the
Underwater Archaeology Unit at ISCR
Giulio MIRABELLA ROBERTI, Associate Professor, Università degli Studi of Bergamo –Strenghening
and Rehabilitation of Historical Buildings (Università degli Studi di Bergamo )
Marco PRETELLI, Associate Professor - Università degli Studi “Alma Mater” of Bologna
– Architectural Restoration (Università degli Studi “Alma Mater” di Bologna)
Marica FORNI, R.Conf. – Assistant Professor - History of Architecture (Politecnico di Milano)
Antonella E. SAISI, Assistant Professor - Diagnostics of Historic Buildings(Politecnico di Milano)
Advisory Board Cristina TEDESCHI, Assistant Professor – Referring Professor of the Material test Laboratory
– section “Historic Buildings Materials – Diagnostic, monitoring and investigation on materials for
Giovanna ALESSANDRINI, Past Director of Research Centre ICVBC – CNR Unità di Milano “Gino
historical buildings end cultural heritage” (Politecnico di Milano)
Bozza”
Amedeo BELLINI, Professor Emeritus – Architectural Restoration (Politecnico di Milano)
Francisco BARATA FERNANDES, Facultade de Arquitectura - Universidade do Porto (in charge of the
course Advanced Studies in Architectural Heritage and of the namesake PhD programme) Pietro MARANI, Full Professor - History of Art (Politecnico di Milano)
Luigia BINDA, Politecnico di Milano, expert in Rehabilitation of historic buildings Caterina BON VALSASSINA, Regional Head of Architectural Heritage and Landscape of Lombardy;
Dario CAMUFFO, Past Director of Research CNR ISAC Padua (Expert in Climatic change, Laura MORO, Head of the Central Institute for the Directory of the Cultural Heritage Ministry
Environmental history, Italian and European Standardization) Andrea ALBERTI, Head of the Department of Architectural Heritage and Landscape for the territories
Javier GALLEGO ROCA, Catedrático de Restauración Arquitectónica, ETSA, Universidad de Granada of Brescia, Cremona and Mantua.
Franz GRAF, EPFL Lausanne (Laboratoire TSAM, Techniques et Sauvegarde de l’Architecture Moderne)
and Accademia di Architettura , Mendrisio, professor of Construction and T
echnologies of Twentieth - century architecture
Andrè GUILLERME, CNAM - Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, Paris (École Doctorale ‘Abbé
Grégoire’ – Patrimoine)
Rob P.J. VAN HEES, University of Technology, Delft (Chair of Building Conservation, senior scientist in
the Building Materials department at TNO)
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THE BLUE AND THE RED:

PhD Yearbook | 2014

THE PLAIN BRICK WALL IN ARCHITECTURAL
HERITAGE OF SHANGHAI 1866 - 1929
Shu Changxue - Supervisor: Prof. Carolina Di Biase

621
The research focuses on artisans also.

PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Shanghai’s historical buildings The architectural evidence has
of which the plain brick wall is interwoven the tangible material
constituted of both blue brick substance and the technology.
and red brick. They are lost in Based on a comparative
translation and transformation literature review across cultures
in the rapid and massive and countries, it explores the
redevelopment nowadays. western sources of the Chinese
Thereupon the dissertation technique publications related
argues that this sort of duotone to the object architectures,
plain brick wall is a specific including their links and
built heritage in Shanghai, their lacunas. Based on a multi-
historic value, documentary 1. The first high form of duotone brickwork architecture, Holy Trinity Church disciplinary research and the
2. The brickworks in technique books, comparing the English source and the
value, and age value are at Shanghai, 1869, by Sir Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) and William Kidner (1844- field investigation, it rediscovers Chinese one. (in: C. F. Mitchell’s Building Construction and Drawing, 1888, and
disregarded but actually retained 1900). (the photograph of the architecture in: Chen, Congzhou, Zhang, Ming both the continuity and the The Builder, Shanghai, Nov-Dec 1935.)
(eds), Shanghai jindai jianzhushi gao, 1988, p.89)
in the existent architectural decay of the long-term tradition
evidence, with the inevitable of Chinese blue brick and the
deterioration continuously concept on protection and the the research explores the links solid constructing system of
added. The disregard is ascribed way of intervention made to between the British culture in Chinese architecture testified by
to both the problematic such historical architecture are Victorian architecture and the and documented in the duotone
“conservation” at Shanghai and also examined. Furthermore, contemporary buildings erected plain brick walls. Moreover, it
the inadequate historical studies the scholarly changing vision at Shanghai. These links are rediscovers the other reasons
on the architecture, which is is explored through an overall excavated mainly through the of the arrival and the prevailing
a first step in organizing the review of the historiography British architects and their ideas, use of the western red brick
issues and the present state of upon such architecture, the extension of the Victorian in building the international
knowledge on the matter. revealing the hidden ideas and space, and the Victorian Shanghai. It rediscovers how the
It starts with the status quo views that have influenced the architectures in building modern brick materials and the
of such heritage through an fate of such buildings. Shanghai during 1866-1929. localized Victorian techniques
investigation of the historical The historical study centres The research explores at different determined the forms in those
architectures and areas. Their on rediscovering the above- levels how the language dichromatic architectures and
situation displayed in the space mentioned values and the of constructional bichrome how they favoured the decay 3. The change of brickmaking: the fabrication of traditional blue brick and the
modern industry at Shanghai. (presented in Tian gong kai wu (1st ed. 1637),
of Shanghai City and in the continuities embedded in such was imported, localized, and of the Chinese architectural and The Builder, Shanghai, Apr-May 1935)
space of Shanghai’s protection historic buildings in different diffused in Shanghai through tradition. Thereupon, it argues
system involves the laws, levels of urban, architecture, the architectures across cultures for the fact that the foreign comparative reading between pays special attention to the
policies, and the administrative technology and material. and countries in the dynamic language of constructional the western source and the historical data on those bricks
service of cultural heritage in Particular attention is paid to the contexts. It also explores the polychromy was embedded Chinese source, and between produced in the modern period,
China at different levels, as historical contexts. translation and the adaptation of in local culture of architecture the textual evidence and the aiming at a further study on
well as the recent history of the It is assumed that the Victorian the language embedded in the due to the interactions and the architectural evidence. Besides, their characteristics and the
development. It thus clarifies the architects and architectures from specific models of architecture transmission of knowledge and it re-defines the prevalent deterioration.
official tools and the problems in UK are the primary sources of through different approaches, technology, which is proved by terms “blue brick” and “red
the protection system in terms such dichromatic language of with the contribution from the the craftsmanship presented brick” based on the changing
of such heritage. The Chinese architecture. For this assumption native clients, builders, and in those walls through a industry of brickmaking, and
622

Architectural Heritage Protection System

PhD Yearbook | 2014

in Chile: Sustainability and Opportunity
for the Future of the Past
Oana Cristian Tiganea - Supervisor: Carolina Di Biase

623
During the last 20 years the Communist industrialisation, The Destiny of the Industrial Past the Communist propaganda, it to be rather an industrial

PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

derelict industrial structures, and furthermore, subject while Chasing Capitalism, 1989 brings into discussion important architectural glossary of the
especially from the field of of advanced abandon and – 99. aspects of the Romanian 20th century for the Romanian 1. (above) Hunedoara Steelwork’s
heavy industries, became a material decay short after its From a methodological point architectural practice such context. The purpose is that to master-plan 1962; (bottom) Hunedoara
1992: (red) Hunedoara Steelworks;
common feature for the entire 1999 production shutdown. of view, the specialist literature as: territorial systematization establish a starting point in the (yellow) the town.
Romanian territory in a context The research approaches the was used in order to determine through industrialisation, further on intervention projects
of general deindustrialisation matter of the built industrial the logic of the metallurgic (officially) accepted architectures, directed towards Hunedoara
and globalisation. Of great legacy, and in consequence production, and thereby, the architectural models of influence industrial past, endorsing its
impact are the frequency with Hunedoara’s case, as considered multitude of buildings typologies (East vs. West), construction patrimonial values, while taking
which these derelict industries the direct material result of all needed on such a complex materials, standardization and into account all remained traces
can be found and their fast pace industrialisation phases, and integrated metallurgic site as prefabrication, and not at least, from immediate surroundings,
of decay and disappearance. therefore, tangible testimonies Hunedoara. As concerning architect’s freedom of expression to ex-industrial site and to
Indeed, their territorial diffusion of all different historic periods directly the production places and access to information in the urban environment still
is linked with the 1945 - 89 connected with its development. the analysis had as a starting a context of political, social surrounded by the local
Socialist hyper-industrialisation Therefore, through the case point the interconnections and cultural constraints. community bearing strong ties
process that marked Romanian study of Hunedoara, the between the time publications Thereby, this case-study offers with their recent industrial past.
passage from agricultural to research follows at first its focused on Hunedoara industrial the possibility to analyze the The understanding of the
industrial based economy, in construction throughout projects and the archival industrial architecture from a complex evolution of Hunedoara
an overall post-war context all industrialisation phases documentation. qualitative point of view, and Steelworks over such a
dominated by the rise of the directly linked with the larger The industrial architecture help formulating hypothesis controversial historic period
Communist political power economic, political and cultural from Hunedoara proves to regarding the architectural could help in shaping a new idea
in central-eastern Europe. context, and second, its destiny be directly linked with the practice in communist Romania. of ‘social awareness’ concerning 2. Industrial plants built on the
Hunedoara Steelworks site during the
Moreover, during the years of threatened by disappearance in overall regional and/or national Nevertheless, the inquiry of the built environment inherited
period 1947 – 89.
Communism in Romania (1945 – a context in which the change architectural scene, this also Hunedoara industrial territory from a political regime of
89), the industry, and metallurgy in attitude towards industrial due to its dominant role continues following the post- the recent past. Moreover,
in a more particular way, heritage and built environment played in Romanian industrial 1989 political shifts, and even the analysis of nowadays
attracted the direct involvement dating the recent past is still context. Moreover, this feature more, the post-1999 production Hunedoara industrial territory,
of the Socialist State, something under process. appeared strengthen during shut down which determined always keeping as primary its
that became a common feature The thesis’ structure is guided the Communist years when its industrial fall and transition material substance perspective,
for the entire Soviet Bloc. by the main research questions great quantity of interventions towards an obsolete, abandoned intends to rise further debates
One such example is the case approached on the basis of a were directed here, Hunedoara and even partially demolished concerning the perception,
study of Hunedoara, positioned chronological timeline directly becoming an epitome of the structure. This passage towards and furthermore, approach of
in south-west Transylvania and linked with Hunedoara, as Socialist industrialisation, derelict industry is contextualized industrial heritage, especially
representing a landmark for follows: Chap.1 Contextual and therefore, offering the in the post-1989 Romanian in a context in which the ‘steel
both Hungarian and Romanian Consideration of the Romanian possibility of a critical analysis revival of preservation practice, landscapes’ are threatened by
history. Hunedoara presents Industrialisation during of the industrial architectural with an interest in the existing disappearance.
a metallurgic site dating the Communism; Chap.2 Built manifestations in a context protection legal instruments
end of the 19th century, fully Industrial Legacy in Hunedoara of centralisation and political of the industrial heritage. The
transformed in a national at the End of the Second direct interference with the thesis concludes with a record
‘metallurgic icon’ starting with World War (1884 – 1947); architectural practice. In a of the material traces possible 3. (above) Hunedoara Steelworks’
time when the industrial to connect with Hunedoara various phases of abandon and decay
1947 arriving to its industrial Chap.3 Building Hunedoara
dating 2002 – 2012, (bottom) record of
and territorial peak during the Steelworks,1947 – 89; Chap.4 architecture was a leitmotiv of industrialisation, which proved industrial traces.
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Centrale di Fraele. Interpretative paths

PhD Yearbook | 2014

between conservation of industrial
archaeology and hydroelectric landscape.
Francesco Carlo Toso - Supervisor: Prof. Alberto Grimoldi

625
This study originates from the knowledge were integrated the overall layout of the facility,

PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

disused power plant of Fraele, for the first time into large and the internal factors, namely
in the northernmost valley of scale designs, making use of the requisites of machinery and
the Italian Lombardy region, and interdisciplinary competencies technical systems. While its
is meant as a premise to the and taking advantage of the technological content may qualify
conservation and active protection wide-ranging preparation of the building as a “technical
of hydroelectric industrial heritage the engineering schools. The monument”, the power plant
in less dynamic contexts such as education of the virtual figure is often designed with strong
the peripheral alpine areas. The of a “hydroelectric designer”, architectural features, often
change in perspective from the in fact a team of engineers, brought at the forefront as the
study of industrial archaeology within the Royal Technical main object of preservation goals.
to the acknowledgement of Institute of Milano is described The search for a suitable language
industrial heritage widens the through its study programs and for industrial buildings that openly 1. Centrale di Fraele and penstocks, Paoletti 1931 (Archivio Fotografico Fondazione 2. Centrale di Fraele. Cross section on the
scope of historical infrastructure the specific technical literature confronted the landscape does AEM) turbine hall (Archivio A2A, Grosio)
preservation from a focus available, revealing the attention not seem to have been openly
on the power plant building, to international developments developed in the Italian designs, integrity of the heritage, but clarified. Industrial landscape and of great importance for
often understandably justified and the influence of European which are more attentive to the also reveal the continuous may refer to the practice of both the technological and
in reference to its peculiar technical cultures on Italian self-representation needs of the process of accumulation of landscape identification and the institutional history and for the
architectural features, to an mechanical, hydraulic and later electric industry. It was strongly expertise and the structuring of significance that is given today shaping of the landscape, is at
understanding of both the hydroelectric practice at the turn felt in the German and Swiss the construction management to the developments, while the centre of some initiatives in
complexity of the hydroelectric of the century. architectural discourse, also process over an uninterrupted it may or may not refer to a the Ruhr region, exemplifying the
facility as a whole and the history A hydroelectric facility can be read affecting the design of power series of works, culminating in conscious process of landscape reappropriation of historical water
of the construction works, which at multiple levels. The territorial plants. the great Cancano reservoir. More making during the design and infrastructure and its integration
had a lasting impact on the alpine level emphasises the historical The case study takes advantage detailed documentation allows to building process. The distinction in the contemporary landscape.
territories and landscapes. The and geographical specificity of of the technical documentation, trace the interplay between the is exemplified by the reception of In this perspective, actions for the
research aims at investigating hydroelectric developments, the company records and the technical and architectural design the hydroelectric industry by the communication of the cultural
the evidential values attached to contextualising the infrastructural photographic heritage of the in the making of the power plant German and Swiss Heimatschutz significance of the remains of
hydroelectric industrial heritage works in the wider alpine former Municipal Electrical building, revealing the otherwise movements, showing a more unused infrastructure contribute
and the different means of region. The technical dimension Company of Milano, AEM, invisible peculiarities of the open concern with landscape to the identification of a new role
identifying and communicating shows the strict relation of the to complement the available construction. integration than the Italian case. for hydroelectric heritage.
these values. Different aspects of design process with the local literature, focused on the The facility design comes from In the Valtellina context, the
the design and construction of morphological, hydrographic and economic and institutional history the accurate survey of natural identification of a “hydroelectric
a hydro-power facility are taken territorial characteristics, and of the company, with a narration features and resources, but landscape” does not mean
into consideration, leading to the the strong interdependency in of the technical management its implementation modifies acknowledging an already
wider notion of a “hydroelectric the design of each part of the of the earliest infrastructural and imposes its own new established historical landscape
landscape”. hydroelectric system, including works. The elements of the rules, turning former rural of hydroelectricity, as much as
Infrastructure is the result of a the major works, the dam and historical infrastructure are made and high altitude landscapes contributing to the integration
careful analysis of the resources the power plant. This is further clear, especially in regard to its into industrially productive of historical infrastructure in
and morphology of a territory. clarified by the power station configuration on completion of territories. A hydroelectric the perception of the alpine
During the first decades of design criteria, which are always the first phase of development development defines a form landscape today. An apparently
hydroelectric development dependent on the external up to 1930. The results aid of “industrial landscape”, the minor heritage, still fundamental
different areas of polytechnic factors, the choices made on the assessment of the material meaning of which needs to be for the hydraulic regulation