Conoscere per intervenire: una questione di metodo

Paolo Marconi’s contribution to the current structure of the restoration discipline is discussed. The contribution concerns the proactive knowledge of traditional ways of composing and materially realizing the architecture of the past. The knowledge is aimed at analyzing the cultural, anthropological and scientific principles and events connected to the formation and transformation of historical architecture to evaluate its vocations to degradation, including seismic damage. The contribution concerns the design method that systematizes historical-critical, technological and compositional analyses implemented through archival research integrated with architectural survey. The final graphic representation is a scientific product on which to test the hypotheses of technical intervention and plan the detail of conservation activities. The cognitive process described is the distinctive feature of the restoration method and contributes to the history of architecture and the science of building, as well as to quality design for the conservation and enhancement of ancient, medieval and modern architecture.