Changes in traditional building materials: the case of gypsum in Northern Spain

Abstract The rural and monumental architecture of Northern Spain gives testimony the wide-ranging constructive possibilities traditional gypsum for exterior structural applications. However, today, is only used finishing purposes. By combining a bibliographic review with local visits/interviews experimental calcinations, we were able to document processing methods analyze factors responsible decline use. Obtained results are also valid other European countries contribute better understanding technical peculiarities gypsum, hopefully reviving techniques produce compatible sustainable conservation materials.