Conserving 20th-Century Architecture

Davide Del Curto is an Associate Professor of architectural preservation at Politecnico di Milano, Dept. of Architecture and Urban Studies. His research deals with building diagnostics, and preventive conservation of the architectural heritage, focusing on 20th-century architecture. He participated in national and international research programs and restoration campaigns for heritage buildings from the 13th to 20th centuries. He was awarded a gold medal in the Domus International Prize in 2016 for designing the museum of former sanatoriums in Sondalo. Within the Getty Foundation's  "Keeping it Modern" program, he was responsible for the task sustainability within the conservation management plan for Giancarlo De Carlo's "Collegi" in Urbino (2015-2018), and he coordinated the drafting of the plan for the National Art Schools of Cuba (2018-2020). He is the Author of more than 100 publications. 

Maria Paola Borgarino is a specialist conservation architect at Direzione regionale Musei Lombardia. As a research fellow at Politecnico di Milano, Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, she worked on management issues and preventive conservation of the architectural heritage, focusing on the 20th century. She participated in the IP Erasmus program "Reworking the Modern Heritage" (2011-14) and in the COST program TD1406-Innovation in Intelligent Management of Heritage Buildings (2015-19). Within the Getty Foundation's  "Keeping it Modern" program, she coordinated the drafting of the conservation management plan for Giancarlo De Carlo's "Collegi" in Urbino, thanks to a conservation grant (2015-2018) and an implementation grant (2019-21) aimed at improving the campus's seismic safety. 

I Part - Historical significance of the Complex.- Social Value.- The historical research: written correspondence, municipal archives, testimonials.- II Part - Understanding the values - analysis of current uses.- Spaces and users.- From the description of the building to the identification of the opportunities for change.- III Part - Criticity and assessment of interventions.- Far-faced concrete.- Exposed brick surfaces.- Window and door frames.- Restoration of the window frames.- The Interiors-survey and mapping of a private room's furniture.- Enhancement of the building's envelope performances.- Critical issues and opportunities for change.- Transformation chart.- Facing concrete.- Doors and windows frame.- Furniture - Restoration and renovation proposals.- Selected publications.- Further Reading.- References.