Diocesan seminary
Treviso, Italy
Structural restoration of the floors of the historical library, workshop and consultation areas, ex-dormitories and wooden ceiling of the whole complex
Info
1999-2004: Project and supervision of construction
Project and supervision of construction: IDxEA
Client: Diocesan seminary Treviso
Project director: Arch. Roberto Fontana
Structural project: Ing. Enrico Priviero
Accessible surface areai: 1.015mq
Ceiling area: 4.600mq
Text
The original nucleus of the seminary in Treviso was built in 1244 and consisted of a single cloister surrounded by small, modest rooms. The library was added in 1340, and only in the 16th century was the complex significantly transformed with the construction of new cloisters, the refectory, and other areas of the monastery, all of which still characterize the complex as we know it today. The firm’s intervention concentrated mainly on the renovation of the historic library and connected areas, as well as virtually the entire roof of the seminary, in a fine example of conservative restoration. In fact, the unavoidable strengthening of the load-bearing structures went hand-in-hand with the strict requirement of preserving the pre-existing building; the approach, therefore, was only minimally invasive and profoundly structural.
The renovation of the roof of the historic library is practically invisible, since it is contained within and concealed by a pre-existing coffered ceiling: the original wooden structure was preserved, but now it only serves to support itself. The floor of the library was subjected to a complex consolidation work which was carried out without having to demolish or damage the original wall decorations in the 18th-century hall housing the refectory below. The restoration concerned the adjacent floors as well. In this case, in order to reach the required carrying capacity for the floors to be used, a new independent floor was laid over the original one, relieving the latter of its load-bearing function. To avoid altering the original structure of the roof, nearly all of which was restored, a wooden prosthesis was created. All the trusses were dismantled and filled in with portions of wood from the same period, then returned to their original position.
Without destroying the original equilibrium of the building, or altering its original appearance, the renovation effort was a demonstration of how very old structures can indeed be restyled with due respect for their lines, building materials as well as the architectural and artistic features of the period.
Lastly, when the walls were cleaned, a number of original frescoes were revealed: a decorated border and the head of a young girl. These small treasures had been unsentimentally whitewashed over, an act which guaranteed they would be perfectly preserved up to the present day.
The renovation of the roof of the historic library is practically invisible, since it is contained within and concealed by a pre-existing coffered ceiling: the original wooden structure was preserved, but now it only serves to support itself. The floor of the library was subjected to a complex consolidation work which was carried out without having to demolish or damage the original wall decorations in the 18th-century hall housing the refectory below. The restoration concerned the adjacent floors as well. In this case, in order to reach the required carrying capacity for the floors to be used, a new independent floor was laid over the original one, relieving the latter of its load-bearing function. To avoid altering the original structure of the roof, nearly all of which was restored, a wooden prosthesis was created. All the trusses were dismantled and filled in with portions of wood from the same period, then returned to their original position.
Without destroying the original equilibrium of the building, or altering its original appearance, the renovation effort was a demonstration of how very old structures can indeed be restyled with due respect for their lines, building materials as well as the architectural and artistic features of the period.
Lastly, when the walls were cleaned, a number of original frescoes were revealed: a decorated border and the head of a young girl. These small treasures had been unsentimentally whitewashed over, an act which guaranteed they would be perfectly preserved up to the present day.