Methodology
Where Science and History Converge
Our main obsession is to discover the original colors of architecture in order to recover the history and legacy of our cities.
To achieve this, we rely on our own internationally recognized methodology.
Method
Our methodology is rooted in a scientific protocol executed in collaboration with leading reference institutes and laboratories. Every project follows a rigorous process: the study of architectural typology and its historical evolution, micro-sampling, on-site stratigraphic testing, and laboratory analysis via stratigraphy, colorimetry, and both optical and electron microscopy.
For this chromatic deduction to remain strictly rigorous, a series of specialized analyses are required (XRD, SEM, stratigraphy, and cross-sectional polishing). The results enable us to identify historical materials and pigments, deduce the original color schemes, and translate them accurately into modern-day color references.
Steps of the method
On-Site Sampling and Stratigraphic Testing
Every project is unique and begins with a site assessment by one of our expert technicians. This visit allows us to document the subject element and extract micro-samples, which are essential for identifying the original materials, textures, and colors. It also enables us to evaluate other key contextual elements, such as the surrounding environment, neighboring facades, and the overall conservation status of the building.
Historical and Artistic Assessment
Documentary research is a cornerstone of our process. We consult municipal archives, photographic collections, and historical cartography to reconstruct the evolution of each building or urban ensemble. This in-depth investigative work, supported by our extensive proprietary archive, allows us to ground every chromatic decision with absolute rigor and historical precision.
Laboratory analysis
Samples are processed using meticulous and precise techniques that allow us to determine not only the original colors of each element but also the pathologies of the finishes through microscopy and chromatic stratigraphy.
Chromatic Color-Matching
This is often the final and most defining step of our method. Color-matching is the exact moment when all prior historical and laboratory analyses materialize into perfectly codified color swatches.