The remains of the Palace of Charles of Lorraine (mid-18th century) are located in Mariemont, on the site of the former hunting pavilion of Mary of Hungary (16th century). This palace stood in the southern part of a vast 45-hectare estate. In ruins since the end of the 18th century, this exceptional monument requires particular attention in order to be made accessible to the public once again.
The mission entrusted to the Greisch engineering firm concerns the study and monitoring of the stabilization of the retaining wall of the main courtyard, which formed the rear cellar wall of the main building. This wall, extending over a length of 70 meters and a height of 8 meters, has undergone a change in its static configuration due to the ruin of the building: reduction of loads on the wall and loss of supports through floors and partition walls.
The objectives of the studies are to stabilize the wall, consolidate the masonry, and delimit risk areas (fences and walkways).
During this first diagnostic phase, several steps were carried out:
- Clearing of vegetation and investigations allowing the drafting of the specifications for the preliminary studies.
- Monitoring of the preliminary studies: 3D surveys, masonry studies, and soil studies.
- Calculations and establishment of an intervention and stabilization philosophy, currently underway.
These studies are the result of close collaboration between the architectural firm “La Croisée Architecture” and the heritage team of the Greisch engineering office, and will allow the work to begin in the coming months.
- Client: Royal Domain of Mariemont
- Architect: La Croisée Architecture
- Heritage engineering office: Bureau greisch
- Study partners: ABC4D, Constru-CARE, Verbeke
