An analytical study of earth and lime based buildings in the Blumenau region of Southern Brazil.

Abstract

An Analytical Study of Earth and Lime Based Building Materials in the Blumenau Region, Southern Brazil. In the last fifteen years, there has been a growing state and national interest in the preservation of historic rural settlements of the nineteenth and twenty centuries in southern Brazil. This interest has generated a need to develop appropriate conservation methods which will safeguard the integrity and technology of vernacular buildings in Brazil. This study focuses on the Blumenau region, an area in the state of Santa Catarina which was settled by German and Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. As was typical in such settlements, the immigrants brought with them European methods of construction which were then adapted to the local environment and available local materials. Though somewhat deteriorated, Blumenau still retains a large number of vernacular building types and good documentary sources of information. Thus, it provided an ideal context in which to develop a methodological approach to the study and conservation of regional building materials in Santa Catarina. Twenty domestic buildings dating from approximately 1870 to 1930 and representing the four principal types of construction in the area were chosen for the pilot project. In addition to thorough historical and archival research on the architecture and technology of the region, the study includes an in-depth scientific analysis of earth and lime- based buildings materials utilised in the rural settlement. The analytical results are interpreted in light of the historical research and recommendations are made regarding appropriate conservation and repair techniques. The study concludes with general recommendations for improved conservation practice in the region including issues of material production, training, and management. The work includes an extensive bibliography relating to the characterisation and conservation of earth and lime- based building materials. Full details of analytical techniques utilised are given in the appendix.