The importance of conserving and rehabilitating facades in historical and contemporary buildings has been emphasized by experts in the sector. This crucial element of a building’s structure must not only be maintained in optimal conditions of safety and hygiene, but also for ornamentation. Having specialists and qualified teams is essential to ensure success in any intervention.
Rehabilitation, conservation, or restoration work on facades requires companies and professionals trained to make a precise diagnosis and carry out the work with the necessary knowledge. Damages to facades can be caused by mechanical actions or external agents such as weather conditions, biological agents, or pollution. Therefore, an initial diagnosis evaluating the pathological state of the facade is essential. This process usually begins with a visual inspection, which can be complemented by various tests and the installation of auxiliary means to allow for a detailed inspection of the walls and architectural elements of the facade.
It is crucial that all procedures adapt to the materiality and state of conservation of the surfaces and structures involved. From cleaning work to finishing work, it is recommended to carry out samples and, if necessary, specific tests to determine the degree of necessary intervention, compatibility with the support, and the suitability of the proposed solution. Additionally, if the building has any level of protection, various regulations will be in place to preserve the materiality, image, and protected elements of the facades.
Rehabilitation processes not only aim to maintain the conditions of the facade, but also to update and improve its functioning according to current standards and regulatory compliance. These interventions include improvements in energy efficiency, a priority promoted by policies of the European Union, state, and local governments to reduce energy consumption dependence on home climate control.
Specialized companies like KALAM have demonstrated broad and accredited experience in the success of these projects. In historical facades, having qualified personnel, technicians, restorers, and specialists in techniques and artisanal trades is key. The company has carried out emblematic actions in the heritage field, such as the restoration of the facades of the Giralda in Seville, awarded the Hispania Nostra 2024 prize, and the plateresque facade of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso in Alcalá de Henares, winner of the Europa Nostra 2018 prize.
They have also worked on protected historical buildings such as the central headquarters of the Bank of Spain, the Círculo de Bellas Artes, and the iconic Metrópolis in Madrid. Their interventions also include residential buildings, hotels, institutions, and schools that require conservation or solutions to their pathologies. In more recent heritage, they have restored the brick factories of the former central del Mediodía, now home to Caixa Forum Madrid, and the Ombú warehouse converted to offices. They have also worked on facades with contemporary materials such as the former headquarters of IBM by Miguel Fisac in Madrid and the central headquarters of Catalana Occidente in Sant Cugat del Vallés.
KALAM extends its experience to international projects in countries such as France, the United States, and Chile. In Portugal, they have been in charge of projects in office buildings such as the ACP headquarters in Lisbon and residential areas in the city center, framed within comprehensive rehabilitation interventions.
Experience and specialized resources are essential for the success of these interventions, which guarantee the preservation of the image of buildings, as well as the functionality and comfort of their interiors.
Source: MiMub in Spanish