Italian Heritage Building Technology in Pelotas

• Published in: International journal of architectural heritage Vol. 5; no. 6; pp. 677 - 692
• Main Authors: Peres, Rosilena M., S. L. Gastal, Francisco De Paula, Greven, Hélio A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2011
• Subjects: building procedures; building technology; Conservation; Construction; Construction costs; Economics; Historic; historic patrimony; Restoration; Towns
• ISSN: 1558-3058; 1558-3066
• DOI: 10.1080/15583058.2010.487384

This survey is of the building techniques used by Italian builders and their descendants at the end of the 19 th and beginning of the 20 th century in Pelotas, a town in southern Brazil. The resultant economic growth from jerked meat production and the urban development of the town in this historical period encouraged the migration of European professionals. Among them were Italian sculptors, builders, and craftsmen who contributed to some of the main buildings but whose procedures were not documented. The economic and social development of a community require the restoration of the historic buildings. This research enabled the identification of building procedures and materials that were used by these builders in the buildings that still stand. In addition to providing the connection to those techniques and materials used in their country of origin at the time, this survey can be a future database for recovery, maintenance, and restoration work in these buildings.