Il Moderno alla ‘prova’ del tempo: nuove sfide per il restauro della Facoltà di Ingegneria di Napoli di Luigi Cosenza / The Modern at the Test of Time: New Challenges for Conservation of the Faculty of Engineering of Naples by Luigi Cosenza

Abstract

The architectural heritage of the twentieth century represents one of the most complex challenges for contemporary conservation practices. Its fragile material nature, the experimental character of construction techniques, and the often incomplete or absent legal protection frameworks make the restoration of Modern architecture a delicate and multi-scalar operation. This paper focuses on the Faculty of Engineering in Naples, designed by Luigi Cosenza, among others, a paradigmatic case of urban-scale modern heritage. It outlines the theoretical and methodological framework of restoration practices, examines the impact of time on experimental materials and the notion of patina, in this case between the architectural structure by Luigi Cosenza and the surface maiolica decorations by Paolo Ricci (for the Piazzale Tecchio façade) and by Domenico Spinosa (for the internal courtyard). The case of the Faculty of Engineering in Naples illustrates a holistic conservation strategy that recognizes the inseparable relationship between structure and decoration. By drawing on recent research and restoration experiences, the paper argues for a conservation approach that combines scientific knowledge, interdisciplinary expertise, and cultural responsibility. It highlights how the restoration of Modern architecture requires the preservation not only of typologies but of specific constructive and material identities, accepting time as a constitutive element of heritage.