Heritage at Altitude: Navigating Moisture Challenges in Alpine Architectural Conservation

Rosina, Elisabetta, Zala, Megi, Ammendola, Antonio and Hoda, Esmaeilian Toussi (2025) Heritage at Altitude: Navigating Moisture Challenges in Alpine Architectural Conservation. Applied Science, 15 (17). pp. 1-22. ISSN 2076-3417

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Abstract

This study presents the diagnostics and microclimate analysis of four case studies located in the Alps region in Valtellina and Valposchiavo. The primary focus is on evaluating and comparing microclimatic conditions, encompassing temperature (T◦C), relative humidity (RH%), mixing ratio (MR), and dew point depression (DPD). The choice of the variables and statistic metrics depends substantially on the aim to identify the risk factor for the preservation of the historical materials of historical buildings, and the procedures for identifying the anomalies in the trends useful to study how to prevent these anomalies in the future. The paper has the target to support the activities of restorers and building managers for improving the restoration process. While various moisture detection methodologies have been studied, no single approach is preferred for analyzing moisture via microclimate monitoring in built heritage. Therefore, this research delves into the influence of various factors, including altitude, location, building type, structure, materials, orientation, and use, on the microclimatic parameters. Altitude and building use significantly influence indoor microclimates: unoccupied structures exhibit greater stability, whereas seasonal use increases condensation risks. Key risks included high RH% and critical T-RH zones (T > 25 ◦C + RH > 65%), exacerbating material stress. Probability density function (PDF) analysis reveals temperature and RH% distributions, highlighting bimodal T◦C patterns and prolonged RH% in high-elevation exposed sites. The findings underscore the need for tailored conservation strategies and targeted interventions to mitigate microclimateinduced deterioration in Alpine heritage.

Item Type:	Article
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords:	cultural heritage, building conservation, microclimate monitoring, non-destructive techniques, alpine heritage, preservation risk
Divisions:	School of the Built Environment > Research
Depositing User:	Megi Zala
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2025 15:20
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2025 15:20
URI:	https://ube.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/193

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