THE GREAT PAINTED WOODEN CHOIR LOFT OF THE SANCTUARY “SANTA MARIA DEL MONTE CARMELO” IN COLLETTO, PINEROLO, ITALY: RESTORATION AND STRUCTURAL INTERVENTION

The Sanctuary “Santa Maria del monte Carmelo” in Colletto, Pinerolo, Italy, is an outstanding renaissance architectural complex located in high hills region nearby Turin. The church is well known both for its architectural relevance and for the artistic value of the paintings and statues. In addition, thanks to the optimal acoustic performance of the nave, the church hosted in recent times concerts and musical events. Recently, it became possible to equip the church with a newly restored pipe organ conceived by the famous organ designer Tamburini. The paper presents the design of the intervention necessary in order to place the organ on the 17th century wooden choir loft that did not provide the necessary space and bearing capacity. First of all, a detailed terrestrial photogrammetry and laser scanner survey have been performed with the aim of optimizing the amount of the necessary translation of the wooden choir loft, which is compatible with the organ geometry, and minimize the interference with the adjacent chapels. Subsequently, NDT tests on the timber structure of the choir loft helped to design the appropriate bearing steel structure, also to provide the seismic resistance required by the national standards.