Diagnostic and restoration laboratory of architectural and cultural heritage

The Laboratory of Diagnostics and Restoration of Architectural and Cultural Heritage is a mainly service structure that collaborates with the teaching activities of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Restoration represents, in fact, an essential moment in the current training path of the architect, today in Italy, the only professional figure authorized by law to deal with conservation and restoration interventions, in design, as in the management of works.

It therefore operates as a research and experimental structure with the triple function of:

1. support and promote current student training activities (through courses, degree theses and internships);
2. support research in the field of conservation through scientific publications, research projects (among others, the PRISMA project, “Interoperable cloud platforms for SMArt-government”, funded by the PON Research and Competitiveness 2007-2013 – Notice no. 84/Ric. of 02/03/2012 – Smart Cities Projects – code PON64a2_A. Beneficiaries: University of Enna “Kore”, INFN – National Institute of Nuclear Physics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Catania, CNR – National Research Council, Advanced Technology Solutions SRL, etc.). Total amount: €27,499,371.00 of which €3,108,527.00 financed by the University of Enna “Kore” and the PON SINAPSIS – SistemaNAzionale Protezione Siti Sensibili Ambit Beni culturali – Tecniche e tecnologie per la tutela, valorizzazione e fruition dei beni culturali (code PON01_01063), financed by the MIUR to the Universities of Enna “Kore”, UNISOB and UNINA and to the companies Westend srl, Teknomar srl, Wind srl, Telematic Solutions, Advanced Technology spa, 2011-2014. Total budget: €4,017,200.00, Budget of the University of Enna “Kore”: €683,200.00), the support activities of the bodies responsible for protection and of the local, regional and national administrations. In this sense, we recall the numerous memoranda of understanding for study and research activities stipulated over the years with: the Diocese of Piazza Armerina (2017-2020), the Italian Association for Industrial Archaeological Heritage (AIPAI-SICILIA) (2017-2020), the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Regional Museum Service of the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina (2016-2019), the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Superintendence of the Sea Service (2015-2016), the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Regional Planning and Restoration Center (2015-2018), the Institute for Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage (ITABC) of the National Research Council (2014-2018), the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of Enna (2013-2014), etc.
3. to provide services on behalf of third parties.

To this end, the Laboratory of Diagnostics and Restoration of Architectural and Cultural Heritage operates in the following 3 research areas:

1. Methods and technologies for architectural, urban and landscape recovery and restoration
   • development of interdisciplinary study projects and interventions for the conservation, restoration and enhancement of architectural, urban and landscape heritage;
   • design and management of restoration and recovery sites;
   • study of construction methods and techniques for the conservation of architectural and urban heritage;
   • carried out to identify and develop new materials and techniques for interventions on historic buildings and traditional materials;
   • study of innovative applications for the revitalization and reuse of abandoned industrial areas and rural areas of high historical, cultural and architectural interest.
2. Diagnostics of architectural and artistic assets
   • integration with the Survey and Representation Laboratory through advanced laser scanner diagnostic tools and image-based 3D modeling;
   • non-contact 3D integrated image acquisition, processing and storage;
   • design and implementation, dissemination and communication of digital data (3D databases);
   • application of reverse engineering techniques for the creation of solid and virtual models.
3. Restoration and planning for the protection of the territory and the safeguard of historical centers
   • conservation, management and tourism development programmes for architectural heritage, archaeological sites and landscape;
   • assessment of the economic and cultural impacts and their potential for the economic development of the regions.