Artificial stone at the beginning of the XX Century: materials, technologies, decay processes and refurbishment

At the beginning of the XX century, the building area has been characterized by a significant interest towards innovative materials and techniques, whose feasibility and durability the planners have been completely relied on. A specific example is given by building elements realized with “artificial stone”. This “artificial stone” was a “new” but nonetheless “basic” material, that allowed replacement of natural stone that was more expensive to procure and also more difficult to obtain. This study provides an in depth analyses of the use of artificial stone for façade. Previous research has aided illustrating both the positive effects, as well some potential critical points of this material. Furthermore, knowing that these elements can undergo specific material and technological decay require practitioners having the requisite knowledge or technological “culture” pertinent to the refurbishment of artificial stone, without which often leads to unsuitable maintenance and repair work. Particularly, the analysis of materials and technologies employed for the building envelope have been developed. Starting from the scientific knowledge of elements and typologies and from the taxonomical identification of potential decay processes and macroscopic alteration forms, that these handiworks could undergo, the study aims at investigating the possibility to produce an artificial stone to repair or replace the damaged material with particular attention to its composition and durability and the compatibility between ancient and new materials.