Earthen architecture: Argentina-São Paulo synergies

• Grant number: 17/16169-5
• Support type: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Duration: September 23, 2017 - October 06, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal researcher: Andrea Cavicchioli
• Grantee: Andrea Cavicchioli
• Visiting researcher: Carlos Guillermo Rolón
• Visiting researcher institution: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
• Home Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Earthen Architecture and the traditional techniques of wattle-and-daub, rammed earth and adobe are an exceptional ensemble of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Brazil and, in particular, in the State of São Paulo. This heritage is at risk of disappearing and urgently demands suitable preservation strategies. These, in turn, require several research actions ranging from the identification and mapping of the remnants of the historic buildings constructed with these techniques between the XVI and XIX centuries (not always cataloged or protected by the heritage organs), to a deep characterization of the materials and mechanisms of physical, chemical and biological deterioration in the act or in the imminence of happening.Within the proponent's research group, several projects have been and are being carried out on both fronts, in a research that is gradually strengthening and consolidating. This journey necessarily exhibits an interdisciplinary character and, over the years, has attracted researchers from different areas of knowledge, including from different countries, united by the interest stimulated by the scientific and cultural challenges arising from the problem of preservation of the historical heritage built with earth. This framework includes the recent linking of the proponent to the network of researchers and professionals related to this subject in the Ibero-American context (REDPROTERRA, http://redproterra.org/) and the granting of a research fund to carry out a project within the scope of the Newton Fund of the UK focused on sustainability issues in developing countries.In particular, the partnership established with researchers from CONICET (Argentina) and, in particular, the Centro Regional de Investigaciones de Arquitectura de Tierra Cruda (CRIATiC) Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo - Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, namely with Dr. Carlos Guillermo Rolón, with whom several issues have already been addressed, generating several scientific communications and the elaboration and approval of two collaborative research projects. In the light of this, this proposal aims to enable a visit of Dr. Rolón to Brazil in September 2017 in order to strengthen the relations between our respective institutions; to discuss technical and scientific aspects of ongoing collaborative research, including field activities of selected case studies and sample collection; to define guidelines for the next stages of ongoing projects; to advance in the medium-term implementation of the common agenda of work; to plan a plan of student interchanges; and, finally, to participate in opportunities for disseminating knowledge and valuing the topic of TA. (AU)