Doric Architrave

The project involves the construction of eight Doric architraves for the peristyle and facade of the Palace of Aigai. The scope includes two distinct types of architraves: completely new fabrications and restorations of existing ancient pieces recovered from the archaeological site.

The molds were meticulously designed based on structural drawings and photogrammetry data derived from the preserved ancient elements. To ensure ease of use and repeatability, the molds are modular in design. They are constructed using multiplex with a Betofilm coating for smooth surfaces, silicone components to accurately capture intricate architectural details, and a metal framework for structural support.

A significant challenge lies in the extreme weight of the architraves, which ranges from 4 to 6 tonnes. This necessitated additional measures to reinforce both the molds and their internal cores to withstand the stresses during casting and handling.

For the restoration process, ancient fragments requiring repair were carefully drilled and reinforced with titanium rods. The casting material used is a high-strength mortar reinforced with stainless steel frames, ensuring durability and structural integrity.