Peristyle Base

The project involves the construction of three distinct types of modular molds designed for the production of different architectural elements of the Palace of Aegae’s peristyle drainage system: straight curbs, corner curbs, and basins for collecting dirty water.

The design of each mold is based on existing documentation of the preserved architectural elements and comprises two main components: a) A wooden base, replicating the fixed flat surfaces of the elements, and b) A curved section, tailored to each element type to ensure proper water flow and drainage. a) Wooden Base: The wooden bases are fabricated using a CNC router from birch plywood coated with betofilm. This coating ensures durability and simplifies the demolding process, maintaining the integrity of the cast elements. b) Curved Sections: The curved sections are produced from extruded polystyrene through subtractive machining with a CNC router. A total of 78 unique components are created to account for the variations in height and geometry across the different types of elements:

• Straight Curbs: Designed for linear water flow along the peristyle.
• Corner Curbs: Engineered with precise angles to facilitate directional changes in water flow.
• Basins: Configured for efficient collection and drainage of dirty water, incorporating unique geometrical features for functionality.

Each curved section is designed to integrate seamlessly with its respective mold base, featuring alignment slots for precise and repeatable assembly and disassembly.

The architectural elements are cast using approximately 700 kilograms of mortar per piece, reinforced with metal supports and supplemented with pigments, formulated according to the specifications of the conservation team. Once completed, the straight curbs, corner curbs, and basins are installed on the foundation of the peristyle, ensuring a functional and historically accurate restoration of the Palace of Aegae’s drainage system.