Variations of identity: Tuff as matter of architecture. shades of light, time and colour

Abstract

The Sassi of Matera are made of different parts, result of evolutions and urban processes, which can be analysed and studied considering the colour variations. In fact, the colour characterization is a fundamental element when you have to work on the architectural heritage. In the Murgia scenery you find an alternation of the natural rock formations; the visible architecture, that’s to say the geometrical volumes built with extracted stone; the invisible spaces dug into the rock. Despite the limestone identifies both of the natural landscape and the built or excavated architecture, light and climate split the material stone surfaces homogeneity in infinite colour variations from yellowish to whitish grey, combined with the colours of vegetation. It is not easy to describe all these colours, but you can identify the some fields, like palettes extracted from nature and architecture, which allow you to identify a few chromatic analogies between different portions of the urban fronts of Matera.