A Scientific Approach in the Recovery of the Historic Center of Rome: Limits and Potentials of the “Color Plan”

The development of studies about conservation of historic centers has highlighted the importance of interventions on the color of the plastered facades. The study of a color plan in city centers has been the subject of numerous debates in Italy, particularly in complex cases such as the historic center of Rome. Over the past thirty years also the development of new products for the construction industry has introduced the problem of materials selection and evaluation of their compatibility in historic urban context. By a preliminary analysis of the current legislation it is clear only the definition of general precepts without giving clear rules for the restoration of plasters and colors. Similarly, studying the law on the protection of historic center of Rome it is noted that the regulations avoid repaintings that «offend the decency», not specifying materials, colors and techniques allowed. For examining these problems concerning the restoration of finishing colors our study has considered the front of some historic buildings in the center of Rome both through archival studies and scientific investigations, in order to define the status of the existing degradation of plasters, the stratigraphic sequence of colors applied on the building facade, and if possible, to detect the original color of the masonry. The aim of this study is to compare the results obtained from this survey with the current Plan of protection of the urban image of Rome to highlight the potentials and limits of existing regulations and to better understand the tools to be used for the restoration of historic buildings.