Lacuna's treatment in restoration and technological innovation

The issue of lacuna is one of the most debated topics in the restoration field: a theoretical and methodological approach is proposed to deal with it. A critically driven adoption of technological tools will be then considered to find effective solutions in accordance with the shared principles of restoration. The analysis of lacuna moves from its definition, focuses on the different meanings in relation to scale and context, deal with the causes that generated it and the alteration of the work's expressive value. A methodological approach to tackle lacuna and to define the resulting operative choices is proposed in relation to its treatment, also to demonstrate how the same critical-methodological approach is valid for architectural, historical-artistic and archaeological works of restoration. The case of a ceramic bezel exposed at Bracciano Civic Museum shows an interesting methodological approach to lacuna reintegration's problem. At the time of the discovery, the work presented lacunae and loss of material and its restoration is paradigmatic of a critical approach to the reintegration issue. Besides, technological innovation finds application in all the steps of the design process: from the diagnostic-cognitive phase to the desirable maintenance over time, it offers potential solution to specific problems. Process innovation coming from the adoption of new technologies in the preliminary investigations has produced major changes in "critical" survey of historical buildings as in case of Casticciano Sanctuary (Forlì). The continuous contribution of new technologies is an opportunity for transposition of methodological approach at operational level. However, the adoption of technology can't leave aside a thorough theoretical approach and the respect of international Charters and scientifically shared principles of restoration.