Transcript +pr1451

AUBERGE DE CASTILLE
VALLETTA
RESTORATION OF
EXTERNAL FACADES
arch norbert gatt
arch chanelle busuttil
RESTORATION UNIT
MINISTRY FOR RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Old Auberge de Castille
Having Casa Grande along St.Paul Street as their Auberge for a period of time, in 1588 the
Knights of Castille decided to build a bigger auberge, which would cater for their needs at that point
in time and also show a certain dignity. Conducted by Girolamo Cassar, the new building was planned
on a 4100 metres square site acquired by the Langue in 1569. Cassar’s matured Mannerist style is
extremely evident in the pilasters between the fenestration. He also employs larger pilasters at either
extreme of the façade to activate the flatness of his elevation. The main entrance which was placed
on a level higher than the street level to give the place a sense of nobility was flanked by five
decorated windows on each side. The auberge had a considerably amount of doors on it’s side
elevations which catered for different reasons and different people.
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The New Auberge
Serving for about 150 years, in 1741, it was decided by the Council
of the Order, that a second auberge would be built but on a different
style; transforming the military character to something more original and
prestigious, to the new flamboyant Baroque style. The façade and the
plan were attributed to Domenico Cachia, whose work was the finest of
18th Century Valletta. The façade, rich yet not over decorative, has
pilasters, recessed panel and centrepiece projection, of pleasing
proportions which give a touch of excellence to the building. Since Grand
Master Pinto gave the main donation for the building, about 200 scudi,
the theme of the façade is propagandistic in Pinto’s regards. The Grand
Master’s symbol and the crescent moon are frequently displayed through
different parts of the building while the Grand Master’s Coat of Arms and
bust are the main decoration to the central window. Originally, these
were too large and heavy and their removal was necessary in 1766 –
1768 to avoid damaging the building fabric. Apart from the Grand
Master’s Coat of Arms, the coat of arms of the Langue of Spain and
Portugal are also carved on the façade.
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Five windows are found on each side of the main
entrance, which according to some sources are
located on the exact place of the first auberge. They
are secured with wrought iron grilles with Pinto’s half
moon emblem. Pilasters for the new building are also
built on the previous ones. Most of the decorations
moulded on windows and on the main door were
transformed by time in order to give the building a
baroque style and a homogeneous look. It is
interesting to note that on each window one can find
the abbreviation E.P (Emanuel Pinto), a rare
monogram on the buildings in Valletta. In 1791, the
main door was enlarged, an arch for the main door
and a large staircase in the parapet were constructed.
Writers think that the pilasters at the corners are
remains from Cassar’s previous building and that the
original façade may have been smaller. From their
conclusions we can say that the original building had
been rebuilt reflecting Grand Master Pinto’s Spanish
Baroque style.
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Auberge de Castille after the Knights
When the last Grand Master backed
the Order of St. John from Malta in 1798,
the Auberge was used as a Commission
for National property under the command
of the French invaders. After two years of
French presence in Malta, the island
became a British colony, transforming the
Auberge of Castille as the headquarters of
the armed forces and also used as a
residence for the British officers. The
Auberge of Castille has also been used as
the headquarters of the army for Malta
Cyprus and Libya. During the Second
World War, in 1942 some damage was
caused on the right hand side of the main
entrance damaging also the ceiling of the
of one of the front halls. Since 1972 the
Auberge has hosted the office of the
Maltese Prime minister.
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
METHODOLOGY
OF SITE WORKS
ADOPTED
•Erection of scaffolding
•Stonework
Structural repair of pediment
Stone replacement as necessary including replacement of
badly deteriorated sculptural motifs of coat or arms
Reinstatement of lacunae
Consolidation of friable stonework which is to be retained
•Cleaning
By dry/wet brushing, poulticing and/or micro sandblasting,
depending on deposits to be removed
•Pointing Works
Opening of defective joints
Flush pointing with a lime-based mortar
•Finishing Works
Installation of pigeon-protection system
•Timber apertures
Wood replacement as necessary, sanding down and
application of wood preserver and paint finish
•Metal works
Maintenance and/or replacement of wrought iron work in
windows as necessary
•Dismantling of Scaffolding
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – PLANNED INTERVENTION PROCESSES
PHASES OF INTERVENTION:
THREE ON MAIN ELEVATION
FOUR ON MERCHANTS STR
FOUR ON ST.PAUL’S STR
TIME FRAME:
APPROX. 4 MONTHS PER PHASE
TOTAL – 44 MONTHS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – PROGRESS TO DATE
PHASES OF INTERVENTION:
TWO ON MERCHANTS STR
Mid Jul 09- mid Jul 10
PLANNED:13 months
ACTUAL: 12 months
In progress:
CORNER MERCHANT STR/MAIN
FAÇADE
Mid Jul 10-Dec 10
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
CLEANING TECHNIQUES ADOPTED
IN RESTORATION INTERVENTIONS
i) DRY AND WET BRUSHING
ii) SCRAPING USING SURGICAL BLADES
iii) PAPER PULP POULTICES
v) MICROSANDBLASTING
vi) CLEANING OF BIOLOGICAL SOILING
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
CONSOLIDATION TECHNIQUES ADOPTED
i) STRUCTURAL CONSOLIDATION
ii) STONE REPLACEMENT
iii) PLASTIC REPAIR
iv) EXTENSIVE REPOINTING
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta
restoration project- projected COSTINGS
ESTIMATED COST FOR RESTORATION OF THE THREE FACADES
Euros 500,000