LEARNING FROM THE RESTORATION SITE: SAVE THE BIODIVERSITY OF HISTORIC WOODEN STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS

ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Treatises and manuals until the XIX century confirm the use of many kind of different of wood species now become obsolete because of current difficulties of cultivation, marketing and costs. It therefore assist the real risk of progressive loss of these assets replaced, often arbitrarily, by uniformity species. An on-site good building diagnosis may allow the detection and then preserve elements of wood species outdated still detectable in historical sites, often as components for reuse. The paper aims to list the species and uses of wood above the main treatises and exemplify their discovery by the author during the preliminary stages of diagnosis on site. 2010 was proclaimed the “Year of Biodiversity" by the UN and the purpose of this paper is to focus architects, engineers and restorers to best preserve the last traces of these important biodiversity and historical artefacts. Perhaps not by chance that 2011 was proclaimed the International Year of Forests.