Qualità e tempo. La conoscenza degli interventi pregressi per il progetto di restauro

The knowledge for the restoration project must necessarily consider the relationship with time, past and future. Through some cases (located in a context affected by several earthquakes during the last century) one wants to examines the theme of previous restorations, whose knowledge is essential for conservation. Awareness of the current constructive situation is fundamental both in the design phase (to correctly understand instability and degradation), and for the conservative management over time (to identify future critical issues and planning monitoring). Therefore, for the conservation of the architecture – characterized by constructive stratifications and previous interventions that are often unknown or poorly documented – the contents of the “technical data sheet” imposed by the Italian regulations (Legislative Decree 36/2023) must necessarily consider the conservation history of the asset itself, which goes far beyond the “possible modifications”. Similarly, the “scientific final report” cannot be limited to the technical summary of the works carried out, but must represent the synthesis of the knowledge acquired (both before and during the works) and the cultural premise for the heritage management, therefore for its future conservation. Knowledge for restoration is a “complex of knowledge” that grows over time, for which specific documentation systems can produce an essential contribution, provided that they allow the archiving of necessary data that is exactly located and they prevent digital obsolescence. The cognitive activity that characterizes the conservation project is the fundamental moment for defining and implementing such knowledge systems, to be enriched during the works. The complexity of the specific cases indicates that these digitals tools do not necessarily have to be rigidly standardized, as long as they guarantee the essential information for conservation by unique vocabulary, allowing for the data sharing and their persistence over time.