Today we will discuss..

Introduction to the concept of conservation

Need for conservation

Ethics of conservation
Degrees of conservation

What is conservation?
Conservation is the action taken to prevent decay
and manage change dynamically.
It includes all the processes of looking after a place
so as to retain its historical, architectural, aesthetic
and/or cultural significance
All actions or processes that are aimed at
safeguarding the character-defining elements of an
historic place so as to retain its heritage value and
extend its physical life.

Need for conservation?

A historic building is our eyes into the past.
From the first act of its creation, through its long
life to the present day, an historic building has
artistic and human messages which will be revealed
by a study of its history.
*Fielden, Bernard-Conservation of Historic Buildings

The historic environment is not just about material

remains but governs our identity as a nation. Building
materials and styles can define regions localities and
communities.

Ethics of conservation
1. The condition of the building must be recorded
before any intervention.
2. Historic evidence must not be destroyed, falsified
or removed.
3. Any intervention must be the minimum necessary.
4. Any intervention must be governed by unwavering
respect for the aesthetic, historical and physical
integrity of cultural property.
5. Any proposed intervention should be
reversible or repeatable.

Ethics of conservation
not prejudice a future intervention whenever
this may become necessary
not hinder the possibility
of later access to all evidence incorporated in the
object
allow the maximum amount of existing
material to be retained
be harmonious in
colour, tone, texture, form and scale
6. All methods and materials used during treatment
must be fully documented.