Abstract
The Albergo dei Poveri complex offers a wide range of constructive techniques used in the Genoese environment, from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.
This chapter describes the fundamental closing elements, such as perimeter walls, floors, roofs, and windows.
The description of the architectural elements starts from the direct observation, supported by perusal of the archive documents (both textual and iconographic), with continuous reference to the specialist literature.
Stone, bricks, wood, and iron are the main materials we can find in the Albergo dei Poveri complex and, generally, in the Genoese architecture. Each of them has been worked and chosen in relation to its features, its position within the building and in relation to the required performances.
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Notes
- 1.
Within the scope of the research on the Albergo dei Poveri complex, the following archives have been consulted: Archivio dell’Istituto Brignole, Genoa (AIB); Archivio storico Soprintendenza Belle Arti e Paesaggio della Liguria, Genoa (SBAP); Archivio storico della cartografia ligure, Genoa (ASCLi); Archivio storico Regione Liguria, Genoa—Fondo dell’Ufficio del Genio Civile di Genova. Classe: Opere dipendenti da danni bellici. Serie: Riparazioni edifici di opere pie e istituti di beneficenza e assistenza (ASRLi); Archivio storico del Comune di Genova (ASCG); Archivio Fotografico del Comune di Genova (AFCG); Archivio di Stato di Genova (ASG). The archival research has been conducted, apart from the authors of this chapter, even by the students of the Postgraduate School of Architectural and Landscape Heritage, University of Genoa, during the years from 2010 to 2015, as well as by Dr. Francesca Ferrando, under the guidance of Dr. Alfonso Assini.
- 2.
Except for the ground floor loggias.
- 3.
In a contract dating from 3 June 1659, relating to the construction of the southern and eastern branches, the building technique to be used in the main walls is thus described: farle di petre dure grosse da carricho con quelle scaglie che saranno necessarie acciò il lavoro resti saldo e sicuro con quella dovuta calcina che fa bisogno (ASG—Fondo Notai Antichi, 7348 Bartolomeo Castiglione).
- 4.
AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document no. 21, art. 21–22.
- 5.
AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document no. 21, art. 21.
- 6.
ASCG—Fondo Albergo dei Poveri, unit 871.
- 7.
In general, even the jambs and the discharging arches of the windows are made of bricks (Boato 1991). The presence of solid brick walls has likewise been detected even on the top northern tower floor.
- 8.
AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document no. 21, art. 23, 43–44.
- 9.
We might for instance mention the 12 May 1659 contract whereby the San Barnaba quarry, probably located near the Franciscan monastery of the same name, was rented, on the western ridge of the Rio Carbonara valley (ASG—Fondo Notai Antichi, 7348 Bartolomeo Castiglione).
- 10.
The technical document of the western tower (AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document n. 21, art. 32–33) stipulates that the vaults on the first two floors must be built for two-thirds with levelled scapoli and the remaining third with well-burnt bricks, termed ferrioli (Decri 2009), with a thickness that from the shutter (0.37 m) decreases down to the wrench (0.29 m). The vaults on the next floors must instead be built exclusively in ferrioli, with a variable thickness ranging from 0.29 m at the shutter to a 0.13 m at the wrench.
- 11.
Unlike the vaults, the flat slabs do not occasion lateral thrusts on the support structures.
- 12.
The mat was fastened onto the support structure by means of suitable large-headed nails, planted between one reed and the next (Galliani and Mor 2006).
- 13.
The structure of a wattle vault consists of wooden ribs made up of coupled elements and staggered joints nailed to each other, hardened by transversal wooden elements, forcibly inserted (Galliani and Mor 2006).
- 14.
According to thesis upheld by some researchers, this technical solution reminds the naval building techniques (Galliani 2001).
- 15.
Above all incendiary bombs during the Second World War in October 1942.
- 16.
Nowadays, the covering NE isn’t distinguishable anymore because of the heavy post-war violations; considering the spacing between the pillars below, a scheme similar to the one NO can be assumed.
- 17.
The horizontal purlins are envisaged in pine, 90 cm in diameter, linked together through iron harpoons in the heads; of the same timber quality are the ridge beams, albeit with a smaller diameter (30 cm); the sleeper has instead a square section shape (13 × 32 cm), in chestnut, made of elements joined to each other through interlocking and nailing; the hip rafter/puntone is made of oak and links horizontal purlins, ridge beam, and sleeper; the common rafters, instead, are made of well-seasoned chestnut wood, with a square section (13 cm one side). The plank, too, is envisaged in chestnut (AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document no. 21, art. 38-39-40).
- 18.
The study campaign of 1999–2001 carried out by the Direzione Lavori (Work Supervising Management) resulted in the preparation of some synthesis thematic maps, starting from the geometric mapping of the main and secondary roof structure of the coverings. These studies allowed to determine the wood species subdivided according to their strength to evaluate the reduction of the resistant section (range %), determining the density and the humidity rate (range %).
- 19.
AIB, Libro del Torrione 1834–1839, document no. 21, art. 48-49-50-52.
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Acacia, S., Casanova, M. (2017). Constructive Techniques in Historical Buildings. In: Historical Buildings and Energy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52615-7_6
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