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The Scrovegni Chapel: the results of over 20 years of indoor climate monitoring.

Number: pap. JOP-03

Author(s) : BONACINA C., BAGGIO P., CAPPELLETTI F., et al.

Summary

This paper presents the results of twenty years of monitoring indoor microclimate conditions inside the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova (Italy), a masterpiece of mural painting of the Italian fourteenth century. Since the late '70s, the chapel has been the subject of a series of monitoring to assess the degree of conservation of the frescos and of the building structures. Measurements of the presence of air pollutants have been performed in order to analyze the possible chemical reactions of painted surfaces. A first attempt for analysis of thermal and fluid dynamic behavior of the indoor microclimate of the Scrovegni Chapel dates back to the '80s. These early studies allow to operate in the best for what concerns the choice of the proper instrumentation and their positioning. It was thus possible to operate before the beginning of any restoration work, measuring values of surface temperature, vertical and horizontal gradients of temperature and relative humidity. The approach has highlighted the importance of heat transfer by radiation as well as exchanges of mass (water vapor) between the indoor air and wall surfaces. A subsequent monitoring period covered the period September 1992-August 1993, before the preliminary restoration by the Central Institute of Restoration (ICR) in 1994: measurements of air temperature, humidity and surface temperatures collected during this period can characterize the indoor microclimate, evaluate the thermal exchanges with the external environment and the possibility of condensation of water vapor. The state of preservation of the paintings at the end of the 90s was such as to require a particular attention to the internal microclimate and its management in order to have recourse, if necessary, to intervene with HVAC system. In 1995 the City Municipality of Padova decides establishing a Technical-Scientific Commission in order to coordinate the different initiatives and to commission some surveys in order to assess the possible interventions. In those years, the Institute of Technical Physics of the University of Padua was commissioned to assess, on the basis of measurements of environmental parameters, the requirements that must characterize an air treatment plant. Monitoring is continuous in time and, in this paper, a reasoned comparison of the different indoor microclimatic conditions, which over the years have been met, is proposed. These indications suggest possible improvements of the monitoring system and the management of indoor microclimate.

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Pages: 21 p.

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Details

  • Original title: The Scrovegni Chapel: the results of over 20 years of indoor climate monitoring.
  • Record ID : 30012439
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 49th AiCARR International Conference. Historical and existing buildings: designing the retrofit. An overview from energy performances to indoor air quality.
  • Publication date: 2014/02

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