Before and after SAHC: A journey into Historic Buildings
Ever since my MSc Dissertation, I have been fascinated by historic buildings. When I applied to the SAHC master’s program, I was at a pivotal point in my professional life, eager for new challenges and to dive deeper into something I truly cared about. While I had high expectations, my SAHC year exceeded them.
I enrolled in 2016/2017, doing coursework in Barcelona, Spain, and my dissertation in Guimarães, Portugal. My months in Barcelona were a mix of hard work, exams, SAHC dinners, and visits to historic buildings. The program offered a well-rounded curriculum, covering structural analysis, material testing, strengthening methods, and preservation strategies, among other topics.
One of the most valuable aspects was the strong connection between theory and practice. Site visits and hands-on case studies made the learning tangible. Seeing, touching, and analyzing the buildings we studied gave insights no textbook could provide.
At first, the workload and tight deadlines felt overwhelming to many of us, but we soon realized that, with the support of expert professors and a collaborative atmosphere, we could manage. The program is structured to encourage teamwork—group projects were essential and relying on each other to meet deadlines was the only way through.
Throughout the year, we had six core classes, each followed by an exam. After each exam, we typically had a short break of one or two days, which we often used to organize SAHC dinners. These featured cuisine from different countries and offered a much-needed pause from the intensity of our studies. They also helped us bond and form friendships that continue to this day. One of the most memorable experiences for me was a weekend trip to Mallorca Cathedral, where we saw the concepts from Professor Roca’s lectures come to life—and hunted for the “famous detached stone” we had heard so much about.
After completing my coursework, I moved to Guimarães to work on my dissertation. It was 2017, the year after a major earthquake devastated Central Italy. As an Italian, I chose to focus on the effects of earthquakes on existing structures and had the opportunity to study a masonry school severely damaged by seismic events. This project introduced me to finite element modeling, a skill that has since become central to my work.
My time in Guimarães was intense. I spent countless nights in the library, setting alarms to check on my analyses. But it wasn’t all work: I also explored the Douro Valley, enjoyed walks along the Atlantic beaches near Porto, and immersed myself in the city’s rich history.
Today, I am a postdoctoral researcher at Politecnico di Torino, where I study how historic masonry buildings respond to natural and anthropogenic hazards using both numerical modeling and experimental testing. In December, I will start a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at TU Delft, focusing on improving damage prediction for historic churches affected by landslides. I am also an active member of ISCARSHAH and ICOMOS, contributing to the international effort to protect heritage structures.
I have been fortunate to travel to international conferences, meet experts in the field, and contribute to the advancement of research on historic buildings. While I can’t say that everything I have achieved professionally is solely due to the SAHC program, I’m certain that most would not have been possible without it. The SAHC master’s program didn’t just equip me with the scientific skills to work with historic buildings; it also gave me the broader perspective needed to approach them holistically. Just as importantly, it helped me build a network of scientific contacts and form lasting friendships.
The true magic of SAHC lies in the community it fosters — a global “SAHC family” united by a shared passion for heritage structures. This network of colleagues and friends supports each other, collaborates to improve the study and protection of historic buildings, and shares unforgettable moments. No matter where I go, I always meet fellow SAHC alumni at conferences, where we continue to share professional insights and personal experiences.
A perfect example of this connection happened last year, when some of us from the 2016/2017 edition organized a reunion in Canada: two from Canada, two from Mexico, one from Romania, and I from Italy. We spent two weeks reminiscing about our time in Barcelona and Guimarães, and even created a commemorative t-shirt for the event. It was a beautiful reminder of the friendships and professional relationships that SAHC helped to create.
Looking back, I can confidently say that the SAHC master wasn’t just a chapter in my professional journey – it was a turning point. It shaped how I work, who I collaborate with, and how I view heritage. It truly marked a before and after in my professional life. And without any doubt, I would do it all over again.
SEE ALSO: What is like to be a SAHC student?
