Conservation of Concrete of Cultural Relevance in Friezes and Murals by Picasso and Nesjar in Barcelona: Preliminary Studies

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the methodology used for the study and diagnosis of the sgraffitos in concrete by Pablo Picasso and Karl Nesjar. In 1958, architect Xavier Busquets won a competition to construct the new headquarters of the Architects’ Association of Catalonia in Barcelona (Spain), right in the heart of the city of Barcelona. The project included five elements of white concrete with sgraffitos created by sandblasting. These included three friezes as a base of the façade and an envelope for the function room, and two murals inside the building as a covering of the “foyer”. Recently, it was determined that a diagnostic study of the state of conservation of these elements was needed as a step prior to their restoration. Based on studies undertaken from various disciplinary perspectives using the latest technologies, a methodological proposal has been defined for the full study and future intervention in these architectural elements, which are also works of art. The methodology could serve to address new challenges related to diagnosis and intervention in heritage elements made from concrete. Consequently, it will be increasingly important to establish criteria and procedures that enable damage or deterioration to be identified to determine future interventions that respect the material and the work of art.

KEYWORDS:

• Corrosion
• heritage
• laser scanner
• Naturbetong
• photogrammetry
• prospecting
• restoration
• study of damage
• survey

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the COAC Historical Archive, the EPSEB Library Service, and the Library of the Picasso Museum of Barcelona, particularly to Margarita Cortadella for her collaboration and enthusiasm in the documentary search for this project.

In relation to the background, the contributions of professionals who participated in previous restoration and consolidation interventions were very valuable, especially those of Jaume Ratera, Xavier Villanueva and Hilario Arias.

We would like to thank Albert Rubio and Raúl Martínez of COAC for facilitating access and providing first-hand technical information.

Finally, we thank Antonia Navarro and Marc Tous from the Materials Laboratory of the EPSEB and Marte Helene Lillevik for the translations of documents from Norway and the search for documents in Oslo.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).