PRR Project

Summary

Portugal has a long-standing tradition of using ceramics integrated in its architecture. However, at an artistic and decorative level, the use of azulejos (glazed ceramic tiles), deserves special mention. Azulejos have been produced in Portugal since at least the 1550s, constituting an artistic tradition prevailing until the present day. Azulejos are internationally considered as an important artistic expression of Portugal, part of its national identity and a strong driver of cultural tourism. The study, preservation and restoration of this rich national heritage is therefore of utmost importance, constituting the focus of the proposed position.The main tasks for the prospective employee are: chemical, physical and mineralogical characterization of architectural ceramics; research of ancient and modern production technologies; chemometric experimental design and data analysis; study of ceramics decay mechanisms; integration of digital and non-digital technologies for the monitoring of azulejos decay; and the study and development of compatible and effective restoration methods. To this effect a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. The employee will interact with professionals from different areas, such as natural sciences, social and human sciences, and engineering and technology.1) Chemical, physical and mineralogic characterization of architectural ceramics – To accomplish the objectives, it is necessary to characterize chemically (by instrumental analyses), physically (e.g. ceramics porosity, mechanical strength, micro-morphology), and mineralogically the architectural ceramics. The results obtained will be used to build-up a database of information that will be shared with the scientific and technical community. The large amount of data generated will be treated by chemometric techniques (e.g. Design of Experiments, Principal Component Analysis).2) Production technologies – The understanding of the evolving production techniques of azulejos since the 16th up to the 20th century involves historical and technical documental research, retrieving information from the materials characterisation and reverse engineering of the production technologies. In the case of the 20th century productions, the technical & socio-anthropological enquiring of former azulejo factory workers to register their knowledge and memories regarding the azulejo production methodologies, will be helpful. The produced knowledge will also aid in the assessment and development of novel ceramic architectural materials.3) Decay mechanisms – To safeguard the glazed ceramics it is necessary to understand the decay mechanisms in their architectural context. Being a composite material, the coexistence of an impermeable glaze layer and a porous ceramic biscuit renders the behaviour of the materials more complex. The azulejos architectural setting, sometimes in outdoor conditions adds further difficulties to their safeguarding. The selected employee will have to correlate chemical, physical and mineralogical properties of azulejo linings to their typical decay mechanisms and architectural context. Building knowledge of degradation mechanisms of architectural ceramic and related materials (such as cement-based materials) and identifying risks of increased decay is a primary objective.4) Integration of digital and non-digital technologies for assessing and monitoring decay – The employee will work with digital documentation of the azulejos heritage (e.g. photogrammetry), digital image information processing methods to retrieve data regarding their conservation state and develop methodologies to digitally monitor their decay (e.g. GIS, BIM and/or AI).5) Conservation and restoration methods – The study of the suitability of common conservation restoration treatments is supported by the knowledge regarding the azulejos production technology, decay mechanisms, decay assessment and monitoring. The employee will work on the assessment of suitability of conservation-restoration treatments (e.g. biscuit consolidation, adhesion of fragments, glaze lacunae infill). Also, research onto novel dedicated conservation treatments (e.g. localized lacunae reglazing using laser technologies, geopolymers and novel consolidation methods) will be made considering the specificities of the different production types and causes behind the identified decay patterns.Finally, the employee will interact with national and municipal authorities in collaborations towards an increase of national and international appreciation of the azulejo heritage, namely promoting the diffusion and internationalization of technical knowledge (e.g. through European data bases and collaborations), the conservation at a wide scale and the availability of sites presently closed to visitors, eventually establishing dedicated cultural routes.