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Constructive stratigraphy and pathological damages. The materials diachrony and coexistence in the architecture of the historical center of Cuenca (Ecuador)

Abstract:

This article studies the action-reaction behaviors of fourteen façade construction materials from thirtyfive heritage buildings in the historic center of Cuenca-Ecuador, and the features of the ecosystem through stratigraphic reading. The objective of this article is to identify the constructive or destructive actions that define the historical process of the buildings' patrimonial condition as well as the determining states of conservation for contemporary intervention. The leading impact factors are physical (39,11 %), mechanical (30,26 %), and anthropic (21,03 %) actions, the synergy among them, and the deterioration of environmental quality as a catalyst of pathological processes, particularly in delicate materials. First, this contribution allows planning of primary intervention actions, primarily cleaning and maintenance, as a prelude to more important actions such as substitution, demolition, restitution, among others. Second, it also allows testing the methodological tool as a critical resource for architectural analysis to overcome more traditionalist study methods.