ZERBINATTI, MARCO1; BIANCO, ISABELLA2; FASANA, SARA3; NELVA, RICCARDO4

1)Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG), marco.zerbinatti@polito.it

2)Research Fellowship, Politecnico di Torino, DISEG, isabella.bianco@polito.it

3)Post PHD Research Fellowship, Politecnico di Torino, DISEG, sara.fasana@polito.it

4)Full professor, Politecnico di Torino, DISEG, riccardo.nelva@polito.it

This paper shows some of the main results of the Interreg-Alpstone research project, which focuses on Alpine architecture located between Italy (the Ossola valley and surrounding areas) and Switzerland (the Canton of Ticino). The rich local heritage of stone buildings is often in a state of decline and needs to be renovated. The ongoing study aims to give practical guidelines to professionals and craftsmen in order to give new life to these constructions. This paper describes the methodology of the Interreg-Alpstone research team, some in situ tests and possible sustainable solutions. In particular, it deals with the need of strengthening the original structures (stone walls and roofs, wooden floors) according to current regulations while at the same time preserving their historical and architectonic values.

Keywords: Stone buildings, stone masonry, recovery, Ossola valley