PSI - Issue 29

Michele Paradiso et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 29 (2020) 87–94 Michele Paradiso, Sara Garuglieri and Viola Ferrarini / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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and the roofs by creating a reinforced masonry curb connected by brackets to both the double wooden plank of the roof (Figure 5) [Giuffrè (1999)]. For the consolidation of the arches, in some cases, it is necessary to act through reconstruction interventions by anastylosis and in others trying to “freeze” the existing situation. As regards the existingpoorly efficient foundations, a consolidation system was chosenby means of sub-sections for construction sites strengthenedby linked chains adjacent to themand integrated with a drainage system to remove the ra inwater, so as to minimize theeffects of risingdamp particularly harmful for clay structure [Giuffrè (1993)].

Fig. 5. Garuglieri S., Ferrarini V., New roof project detail .

3. FromConvent to Museum of SacredArt The findings emergedduring the archaeological excavations madeby the Puerto Carenas company, as well as the stories collected during the interviewwith the people who lived in the convent (Hidalgo, 2010), were supportive for the development of the design idea , in line with esta blished directives of the PEDI ( Plan Especial de Desarrollo Integral ) regarding the development of the historic center ofHabana Vieja (PlanMaestro, 2009). The intentionconsisted of enhancing theconvent bringing it back to its former glory, suggestinga use compatible with the needs of protecting thecultural heritage itself. The aimwasto return theconvent to the cityand its inhabitants in the hope that it will become in the future a hub for both tourism and local population (ICOMOS, 2014). These wishes can be pursued thanks to the inclusion of multiple functions within the same complex that provide for the combination of public and museum areas, transforming the complex into a multifunctional cultural center that can reflect the identity of citizenship and interpret its aspirations. The project involves the subdivision of the complex into two areas: the area of the NewMuseum of sacredArt of the City (to whichother spaces usedasa teliers, spaces for temporary exhibitions, conference room, refreshment areas, bookshop are annexed) as well as accessible open spaces such as the large garden and the cloisters, redesigned according to a contemporary vision avoiding the risk of committinghistorical fakes; the north area of the complex is intended for neighborhood activitieswith the inclusionof a recreationcenter for the third age and for children in order to promote and develop cultural services and programs tha t may involve the resident community by helping the knowledge of the historical, architectural andartistic heritage of the city. The project tries to combine thegeneral urbandevelopment planning, which intends to convert the convent intoa museum of art, with the needs of the people who lived in the convent after the structure was abandoned by the nuns. The commondesire of themwas to beable to return to live these spaces; thechoice was therefore tocreate, in addition to the museum, a multifunctional cultural centerwith green areas and spaces designed for the elderly and children in order to exploit the possibility of usingarchitectural heritage as a socio-cultural development factor.