Projects / 11/12/2024

Restoration work and safety measures for the façades of the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin

Innovative solutions by Mapei made it possible to restore and make safe the façades of the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin.

The restoration work on the façades of the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts was a complex conservative operation carried out with innovative materials supplied by Mapei. The façades, badly deteriorated over the years due to bad weather and poor quality restoration work completed previously, were brought back to their original splendour by adopting cutting-edge techniques.

The Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin is located in a building of great historical value, designed by the architect Giuseppe Talucchi in the early 19^th century and donated in 1833 by King Carlo Alberto, who at the time was King of Sardinia and ruler of the Savoyard state. Over the years the structure had progressively deteriorated, and its façades were in a critical condition. Recent restoration work and the implementation of safety measures on the façades, carried out with the support of Mapei products, played a key role in bringing the structure back to its original splendour, thereby preserving this fine example of historical and architectural heritage.

The façades of the Accademia Albertina were lately restored and brought back to their original splendour thanks also to the use of Mapei products.

The critical condition of the façades

The external surfaces of the Academy had deep, widespread cracks, detached material and stains caused by their exposure to atmospheric agents and poor-quality maintenance work carried out over the years. The render, bas-relief decorations, drainpipes and guttering and other functional elements needed urgent remedial work. Thanks to the partnership with Mapei, leader in the manufacture and supply of building materials, it was possible to come up with a restoration plan that would respect the original materials by using technologically advanced solutions compatible with the historic nature of the building.

Before the restoration intervention, the Academia Albertina facades were in poor conditions due to deep cracks, detached material and stains caused by their exposure to atmospheric agents and poor maintenance work.

Preliminary diagnostic work and the choice of Mapei products

Before starting work on the building, a complete diagnostic study was carried out on the surfaces to map out the deteriorated areas and to take samples to be analysed in the laboratory. This enabled the most appropriate methods for the work to be identified, with particular focus on the compatibility of the new materials with the original ones. Mapei products, and MAPE-ANTIQUE NHL ECO RESTAURA skimming compound in particular, were selected for their capacity to create a perfect bond with the surfaces of historic buildings, guaranteeing a breathable and highly resistant finish.

Before applying MAPE-ANTIQUE NHL ECO RESTAURA skimming compound, the façades were cleaned with hot water jets.

The restoration work

The first stage of the restoration work, carried out with the support of Mapei, was to remove the loose parts and debris. The surfaces were treated by removing all the dust and then clean them with water-jets to remove the various layers of synthetic paint that had accumulated over the years. The most badly damaged portions of render were consolidated with studs and by injection and then reconstructed with compatible materials supplied by Mapei. MAPE-ANTIQUE NHL ECO RESTAURA was used to skim the surfaces, guaranteeing maximum mechanical and chemical/physical compatibility with the ancient materials, without altering the aesthetic characteristics of the building.

MAPE-ANTIQUE NHL ECO RESTAURA was used to skim the surfaces of the façades, guaranteeing maximum mechanical and chemical/physical compatibility with the existing materials.

To make sure the new skim coat of MAPE-ANTIQUE NHL ECO RESTAURA was solid a pull-off test was carried out, which confirmed the material’s excellent adhesion with the masonry substrate. This check guaranteed that the work has been performed in line with the highest standards in terms of safety and durability, thanks to the cutting-edge technologies made available by Mapei.

Once the skim coat had been completed, the next step was to apply a coloured coating using products from the SILEXCOLOR range by Mapei, which returned the façade to its original appearance. The products chosen, such as SILEXCOLOR PRIMER and SILEXCOLOR PAINT, guarantee not only long-lasting colour, but also protection against atmospheric agents, preserving the breathability of the surfaces.

SILEXCOLOR PRIMER and SILEXCOLOR PAINT were chosen for the final coating of the façades. They guarantee long-lasting colour and protection against atmospheric agents, while preserving the breathability of the surfaces.