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Cathedral forecourt of Milan?s Piazza del Duomo

Redevelopment and restoration of the cathedral forecourt in the Piazza del Duomo

work completed

  • Feasibility study completed
  • Initial design completed
  • Final design completed
  • Executive design completed
  • Works management completed

Duration of work

April 1996-1999

Contractors

Cooperativa Selciatori e Posatori-Castelli

Operations

The lower cathedral forecourt of Piazza del Duomo, based on a design by Portaluppi in 1929, has visibly deteriorated over time. In collaboration with the Urban Furniture Department and the Superintendency for Environment and Architectural Heritage of the Lombardy region, Metropolitana Milanese was commissioned by the local Municipality to draw up the working design, to undertake works relating to redevelopment and to restore the cathedral forecourt.
The work’s aim was to recover and reuse existing materials as much as possible and replace damaged parts with matching pieces.
The initial work involved removing the natural stone paving, recreating the original chequer-board pattern in order to stay true to the original design, and restoring the sub-base of the permanent way. A concrete slab was designed, on which the new and recovered paving slabs were laid; it is approximately 15 cm deep and is reinforced with welded mesh. Surface treatments were carried out to blend the new with the old material.
Renovation and surface-sealant restoration works were carried out to both the existing buildings of the Duomo Line 1 station beneath the lower cathedral forecourt and the roof of the cathedral forecourt’s former tunnel. The following work was carried out prior to laying the foundation screed:

  • preparation, cleaning and restoration of the surface to be sealed;
  • application of a layer of sealant and its subsequent protection by placing separator layers in non-woven fabric and the production of a reinforced concrete slab.

The work also proposed to reconstruct the drainage system and harvest rainwater, replacing manhole covers and drains along the walkways.
New conduits for street lighting, electricity and the telephone network were produced.
All the grates on the cathedral forecourt have been replaced. The existing grates were recovered and reused only when they were found to be in excellent condition.
The opportunity was used to clean the exterior parts of the stairs exiting the mezzanine of the metro and the natural stone bases of the ornate and decorative street lights.
The upper cathedral forecourt, on the same level as the portals, consists of five steps and a paved area, made of Baveno pink granite. Upon the paved area, the outline of the Santa Tecla Basilica, located below, is carved out in relief.
During the works, restoration and/or replacement of the natural stone paving on Portaluppi’s cathedral forecourt was carried out.