Materia moderna, risposte su misura: esempi di restauro del calcestruzzo del ‘900 tra memoria e innovazione / Modern materials, customised approaches: examples of 20th-century concrete restoration between memory and innovation

Abstract

In the restoration of modern architectural heritage, where reinforced concrete is both structural and aesthetic, an interdisciplinary approach based on historical, iconographic and diagnostic analysis is essential. This method allows customised materials, consistent with each building’s features, overcoming standardised restoration unsuitable for prestigious works. In close collaboration between academia and industry, this contribution examines how material and conceptual compatibility can be pursued through calibrated mix designs tailored to interventions. The adopted solutions, supported by experimental testing, include assessments of physical-chemical compatibility, resistance to atmospheric agents, mechanical performance and architectural consistency, with reference to significant case studies such as Cabina C at Milan Central Station and the Palazzo degli Affari in Florence. Drawing on these experiences, the authors outline a design approach where technology, memory and design responsibility interact.