Buenos Aires, December 8 (NA) – The Floralis Genérica, one of the main tourist attractions in Buenos Aires, is shining again in the Recoleta neighborhood after two of its petals were damaged by the storm that occurred in December 2023. Official sources informed the Argentine News Agency that the sculpture has recovered its original shape after undergoing a restoration process, which consisted of tasks involving moving and assembly. The second petal, weighing three and a half tons of aluminum and steel, was placed on the stem of the Floralis, while the first piece had been installed in October. Additionally, the transport of the parts was by land and river in major logistical operations that included loading each petal onto a barge to navigate more than 150 kilometers through the Paraná River and the Río de la Plata. Head of Government Jorge Macri stated that the remodeling “was very difficult”: “It is one of the most important heritage preservation works in recent years because each of the six petals is different.” In this sense, Macri indicated: “We are also going to illuminate it with a new lighting engineering so that the Floralis shines like never before.” To celebrate the restoration of the Floralis, next Saturday, starting at noon, there will be gastronomic fairs and musical shows at the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas. In January, the damaged petals were transported to an industrial plant in the Buenos Aires province of Baradero, where they were mounted on iron cradles. The aluminum cladding panels were disassembled, and damaged steel beams and ribs were removed, including structures that had been added in old partial repairs. Specialists carried out an inspection with optical equipment to detect surface defects; the eddy current method was applied, which makes it possible to find variations in its properties, while the liquid penetrant technique was used on the surfaces to observe them in greater detail. 3D modeling of parts was used to project the structural behavior of the intervention. The pieces were joined using special bolts used in aircraft and aerospace components due to their high tensile and fatigue strength, and for offering a precise assembly that minimizes the risk of loosening from vibrations.
