THE USE OF 3D SCANNING AND PRINTING IN THE RESTORATION PROCESS OF THE EXPOSED CERAMIC PANELS OF JORGE BARRADAS (PALÁCIO DA JUSTIÇA DE LISBOA)

Abstract

The techniques applied to restore and conserve the 16 ceramic panels which are an integral part the façade of the Palácio da Justiça’s South Building, in Lisbon (authored by Jorge Barradas, Querubim Lapa and Júlio Resende), was marked by the adoption of disruptive technology as one of the main methods of approaching the pieces in need of intervention. Different materials and techniques, both digital and manual, either from physical or aesthetic perspectives, guaranteed their future preservation. Following principles of restoration ethics, photographic references of the compositions served as a goal to assimilate the original work as much as possible. Recurring missing parts were then to be reconstructed by means of 3D scanning and current object printing technology. Such technique allows a preview and manipulation through specific computer software. Once the file has been completed with all the information necessary to produce the object, it can be sent directly to a 3D printer. The main objective of intervening Jorge Barradas' panels with 3D printed objects, was to replace large key pieces in a non-intrusive way and without damaging the original work. Simultaneously, in addition to the durability of such printed materials, a "life insurance" is created in case of any damage or theft, since it can be replicated quickly from the thorough scan, stored in a digital file format.