Conserving the Chromatic Value of Plaza Doctor Collado in Valencia

The objective of the present research is to analyse and document the chromatic characteristics of historical buildings with the goal of preserving or restoring their original colour, which is an essential element of the architectural heritage. Plaza Doctor Collado in Valencia was chosen as a case study precisely because this square is characterized by the polychromatic façades of different historical buildings. Each building has a personalized façade that is often painted with various colours that have little or nothing to do with the original colour. It is therefore of great importance to address this problem with the goal of raising awareness about all the realities present in the cultural heritage, which should be protected. The present research is characterized by a series of steps: development of preliminary sketches to read the place and proportional technical drawings of the façades, a chromatic survey using watercolour techniques, and historical research related to colour and the various types of buildings. A later step in the present research is to create a web platform in which various studies related to additional cultural heritage sites will be inserted. Protecting the chromatic/environmental value of a place is fundamental, not only regarding the aesthetic worth of the place, but also and especially to conserve the architectural, urban, and historical identity that makes each place unique.