Adobe in Art-Nouveau constructions in Aveiro

Abstract

Nowadays, Aveiro is one of the Portuguese cities where magnificent examples of Art Nouveau movement can be found. Due to construction techniques traditionally used in the area and time period in which the Art Nouveau emerged, most buildings of this style and region were built using adobe blocks, a singularity worldwide. This type of construction has many advantages but also requires particular care to be taken into account in its proper maintenance and preservation. In this paper, the common structural problems and pathologies of this type of buildings will be presented and discussed with the example of the characterization works developed at Major Pessoa house in support to its conservation.