Deep-dive into wood restoration in traditional architecture

foto visita-al-moli vell-de-la-molaLast week from September 24 to 28, the Formentera Council's cultural heritage arm teamed up with the Eivissa-Formentera small and medium-sized business association, PIMEF, to put together a course on wood restoration in traditional architecture.

The bulk of the twenty-hour training course took place at PIMEF's head office. However, in an effort to collaborate with reputed experts familiar in the myriad issues affecting wood in traditional structures, participants also made a handful of visits to historic buildings in Formentera's catalogue of cultural heritage sites.

Course instructor Marisa Justo graduated with bachelor's in art history, obtained certification in restoration practices and holds a master's in rehabilitating architectural heritage sites. Justo, who helmed numerous historic wood restoration projects promoted by Spain's ministry of culture, also taught students in the master's programme on restoring and rehabilitating architectural patrimony at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares.

Fifteen students from a range of backgrounds took part in the course, from carpinters and restoration professionals to individuals employed in construction, artisans and architects, among others.

Training on the techniques and materials used in traditional architecture is encompassed in Formentera's cultural heritage management plan for 2017-2019, which was adopted by the plenary assembly of the Formentera Council and is in effect today. In 2017 the Council and PIMEF partnered to put on a course on using lime in traditional architecture.