Zanelli, A; Kolo, E; Monticelli, C; Rosina, E; Poli, T; Speroni, A; Mainini, A G and Cadena, J D B (2021) A removable textile hybrid structural screen for the windows of castello sforzesco, milan: When experimental metrics inform the bespoke 'design-to-construction' process in historical contexts. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 17(3-4), pp. 196-215. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
This paper presents the experimental design-to-installation process of two textile hybrid window screens, aimed at mitigating the comfort conditions and preserving the frescoes of Sala delle Asse at Castello Sforzesco, in Milan. Given the historical relevance of the context, the main challenges that the project tackles are: (1) implementing bespoke, low impact, lightweight structural screens as reversible additions to historical buildings; (2) enhancing the visual, lighting and hygrothermal comfort; (3) validating an interdisciplinary methodology from the preformance-driven design to construction, with the aim to assess its replicability in other cultural heritage sites. The design task, led by Textile Architecture Network, at hand is to produce self-standing vertical screens for the large-scale windows, in order to control the sunlight amount on the frescos, as well as to block air drafts that cause humidity inside the room. The main challenge of the project proved to be the fragility of the context, since the screens must be sealed on the borders, whitout perforations on the vaulted edges. Thus, a textile hybrid structure is proposed, made of (1) form-active elements, due to its self-standing principle; (2) unconventional knitted textiles, that need to be characterized. Eventually, the paper presents the preliminary multidisciplinary research campaign consisting of (1) in situ anemometric tests by Experimental Mobile Laboratory; (1) material tests on optical transmittance by SeedLab; (3) mechanical tensile tests and the updating of material choices by Textile Architecture Network, all part of the Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department’s Labs at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | anemometric tests; bespoke; design methodology; experimental campaign; historical context; interdisciplinary; lightweight structures; mechanical tests; optical tests; textile hybrid |
| Index terms: | historical building, humidity, built environment, comfort, Italy, methodology, construction engineering, in-situ, window, experimental design, sunlight, laboratory |
| Subjects: | climate science, research design and methodology, construction type, renewable energy, Geography, research methods, engineering methods, architectural elements, infrastructure and transport systems, building construction, research management, occupational health and safety management |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, Design Practice, Sustainability, Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here