Analysis of degradation and restoration works on the facade of the Saint Joseph Cathedral, Bucharest

Authors’ Comment

St. Joseph Cathedral in Bucharest is listed in the List of Historical Monuments 2015 with code B-II-m-A-18132.

According to the Protected Areas Zonal Urban Plan, approved by HCGMB no. 279/2000, the Cathedral is located in Protected Area no. 16 - Calea Victoriei - a symbolic street of the city, subzone Cp1.

EXISTING SITUATION

The facades of the Cathedral are built of exposed brick made by craftsmen from near Bucharest and have Gothic and Romanesque decorations made of Rusciuc Bulgaria stone. The exterior decoration is composed of cornices and profiled girdles. The most spectacular and most beautiful decorative element is the main facade decorated with a circular rosette carved in stone and decorated on the inside with stained glass.

Deterioration found on the facades:

- Wind erosion of brick, stone and plaster
- Friability of some plasters, bricks and stone
- Deterioration of the binder caused by the freeze-thaw phenomenon,
- Cracks in the bricks
- Cracks in certain areas
- Salts in the form of veils, stains and crusts
- Unsightly black oxide stains
- Biological attack, moss, lichens
- Chipped, dislocated ornaments, deep gaps
- Covering with hardened dust combined with pollution deposits

DESIGNED SITUATION - PROPOSALS FOR INTERVENTIONS

- Removal of non-adherent deposits (dust, leaves, twigs).
- Consolidation of the lapidary support with ethyl silicates.
- Cleaning of adherent dirt and soluble salts.
- Application of biocidal substances.
- Consolidation of carved elements (gluing detached fragments, injecting cracks in stone blocks)
- Removal of cement grouts and improper repairs.
- Grouting of missing ornaments.
- Replacement of completely destroyed elements.
- Hydrophobic treatment.
Other works: Repair of the sheet metal roofing, installation of lightning rods, repair of stone pavement and erection of scaffolding.