05.11.2024

Forgotten garden pearl in Palermo honored

Building design

Carlo Scarpa Award goes to the gardens of Maredolce-La Favara.

The Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche, based in Treviso, has awarded the Carlo Scarpa Prize to the gardens of Maredolce-La Favara in Palermo. Maredolce-La Favara, also known as Conca d’Oro, the Golden Basin, is a symbol of the heritage of Arab and Norman culture in Sicily. Although the area appears neglected today, in its heyday it was an artistically designed garden landscape with palm trees, vineyards, olive groves and a palace perched high above Palermo and the Mediterranean. The foundation has set itself the task of highlighting endangered landscapes and promoting their conservation. In the case of Maredolce-La Favara, research is already underway to restore the palace and its immediate surroundings.

25.11.2024

Profession

Highlights from the Green Vault

Building design

Between 1994 and 1999, two conservation projects were carried out at the Dresden Green Vault to preserve the magnificent enameled goldsmith’s work from the time of Augustus the Strong. The work was carried out by the Fraunhofer ISC. Some 20 years later, scientists are now examining whether their methods were successful. The Green Vault in Dresden is one of the most precious and […]

Between 1994 and 1999, two conservation projects were carried out at the Dresden Green Vault to preserve the magnificent enameled goldsmith’s work from the time of Augustus the Strong. The work was carried out by the Fraunhofer ISC. Some 20 years later, scientists are now examining whether their methods were successful.

The Green Vault in Dresden is one of the most precious and extensive treasure chambers in Europe. The enamel-decorated goldsmith’s work from the time of Augustus the Strong of Saxony (1670-1733) is particularly magnificent. However, the preservation of the delicate enamel was endangered by corrosion and the effects of harmful wine. Around 20 years ago, the Fraunhofer ISC therefore developed a special hybrid polymer to fill fine crack patterns, bond flaking and better fix the damaged enamel to the rough gold surface. This should prevent the progression of decay.

New investigations have now confirmed the long-term success of the measures taken at the time. The inorganic-organic hybrid polymer used, whose properties were specifically tailored to the restoration of damaged enamels, was able to prevent further signs of degradation in the long term and at the same time allow the goldsmith’s work to retain its original appearance. As a result of this success, further objects from the Green Vault – including highly sensitive ivory and rock crystal treasures – are now to be restored. As with the enamels on gold surfaces, ivory and rock crystal must be consolidated by infiltration bonding. The brilliance and original color impression of the treasures must be preserved.

To this end, researchers at the International Center for Cultural Property Protection and Conservation Research IZKK are developing an environmentally friendly material modified in accordance with current REACH regulations. Before the new hybrid polymer is used on the valuable enamel works of art, safety tests are carried out using model samples, which are aged at an accelerated rate to simulate the existing damage pattern and are specifically damaged.

Also in demand internationally

In close cooperation with the restoration workshop of the Green Vault, recommendations for practical application and storage are drawn up in addition to the development of the synthesis. As the restoration material is now in demand throughout Europe, the joint experiences are to be passed on to interested specialist circles. In the future, the International Center for Cultural Property Protection and Conservation Research IZKK of the Fraunhofer ISC will offer national and international courses for this purpose.

29.11.2024

The 200-ton electric model

Building design

The Beutlhauser Group delivers Germany’s first electric model of the Liebherr 200-ton excavator The R9200E from Liebherr is the first electric-powered machine of this size to be used for earthmoving in Germany. The mining excavator, which Beutlhauser supplied to Lausitzer Grauwacke in Saxony, a Eurovia Gestein company, weighs 200 tons. Beutlhauser, in turn, is the largest Liebherr sales and service partner in the […]

The Beutlhauser Group delivers Germany’s first electric model of the Liebherr 200-ton excavator

The R9200E from Liebherr is the first electric-powered machine of this size to be used for earthmoving in Germany. The mining excavator, which Beutlhauser supplied to Lausitzer Grauwacke in Saxony, a Eurovia Gestein company, weighs 200 tons. Beutlhauser, in turn, is the largest Liebherr sales and service partner for earthmoving in Germany.

Since its launch two years ago, Liebherr’s R9200 has been the state-of-the-art model in the 200-tonne class. The electrically powered version is now a trendsetter. With a capacity of 12.5 cubic meters, the excavator is the largest in its class. The mining excavator is designed for dump trucks with payloads of up to 140 tons. The electric version has an electronic control system for performance monitoring. It optimizes the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic power distribution.

“We are committed to acting in an exemplary manner and strive for continuous improvements in the environmental sector, with the sustainable shaping of the future being a key objective,” says Division Manager Robert Finke from Eurovia Gestein. “That’s why we also opted for an electric drive when purchasing a replacement for a powerful extraction machine for conveying raw stone,” he adds. Liebherr has good references worldwide. The R9200E is a powerful 200-ton excavator with high availability and low operating and wear costs. The decision to choose Beutlhauser as a supply partner was also an obvious one for Eurovia Gestein. The Beutlhauser Group is one of the market-leading German trading and service companies specializing in the sale, rental and servicing of high-quality capital goods.

Open-cast quarrying in Lusatian graywacke

The R9200E is used in the Lusatian greywacke quarry in Lieske primarily for conveying blasted rock and loading S-trucks with a payload of 65 tons. Hard stone has been extracted from a 60-hectare open-cast quarry here since 1968. Greywacke has high strength, high frost and thaw resistance and high polishing resistance. For these reasons, this stone is particularly suitable for the production of mineral mixtures, in road and railroad construction and for the construction of harbor facilities and shore reinforcements.