NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES Historic Preservation Division Introduction: The National Historical sete (NHI), in its contributing efforts towards our national recovery through cultural development, has put emphasis on historic preservation with commniunity-based orientation so that the following fundamental and universal principles and guidelines would serve as models in our'individual set-ups. BASIC CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES "The least intervention is the best conservation." “ILIs Letter lu preserve than to restore, to restore than to reconstruct, to reconstruct than to do nothing at all.” "Any form of restoration should follow predetermined lines. Tt must include criticism and objectivity; it cannot vary according to whoever carries it out. It must endow the object with a new life such that it can continue to exist eternally (in relation to the human lifespan). The real value of arts is in its relationship with man.” "We do not restore the monument, but we restore the materials of the Monument." "Restoration is not carried to return the work of art to its "primitive splendor." It must, on the other hand, conserve the originality of the object as it appears after so many years have passed since its completion. Only negative factors which do not allow the correct interpretation of the object must be removed." "The principle of reversibility -- whatever added to, applied on, or into the monument, must be able to reversed or taken out in cases of negative effects proven after intervention.” "Conservation is part of positive development; modernization does not necessarily mean progress; conservation does not displace, it attracts.” “Restoration must never be: (1) an imitation, (2) a falsification, or (8) in competition with the original." "Restoration should be more utilitarian than romantic." "Restoration is not luxury (over-restoration); not nostalgic (over- romantic); not a masking (superficial). Thus, forming the above, it is very clear that the object of restoration is conservation.UNIVERSAL GUIDELINES ON THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF MONUMENTS AND HISTORIC SITES ‘The following Articles are contained in the 1981 Edition of the Venice Charter or the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites which could be adopted to serve as guidelines in any conservation activity: DEFINITIONS Article 1. The concept of an historic monument embraces not only the single architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the evidence of a particular civilization, a significant development or an historic event. This applies not only to great works of art but also to more modest works of the past which have acquired cultural significance with the passing of time. This concept includes historic and traditional sites, groups of buildings, singly or together, constituting a human settlement in a rural or urban environment (urban sites, historic town centers, old urban quarters, villages, archaeological sites including underwater sites, gardens and parks of particular interests, etc.) as well as sites created by nature and man together; sites whose witness value — regardless of time of creation and successive transformation ~ recognized from the archaeological, architectural, aesthetic, social or scientific point of view. Article 2. The conservation and restoration of monuments must have recourse to all the sciences arid techniques which can contribute to then study and safeguarding of the architectural heritage and fo its integration within the framework of man's cultural, social and economic life. In this sense, conservation is intended as means to safeguarding cultural heritage, with the view to suitably adapting it to the society's needs, by a series of technical, legislative, financial, fiscal, educational and other measures. As for restoration, it is meant as the technical means of intervention, with the aim of maintaining intact the above heritage and transmitting it to the future in all its integrity. Article 3. The intention in conserving and restoring monuments is to safeguard them no less as works of art than as historic evidence. CONSERVATION Article 4. It is essential to the conservation of monuments that they be maintained on a permanent basis. Article 5. The conservation of monuments is always facilitated by making use of thei fur sume socially useful purpose. Such use is therefore desirable but it must not change the layout or decoration of the building. Tt is within these limits only that modifications demanded by a change of function should be envisaged and may be permitted. Article 6. The conservation of a monument implies preserving a setting which is not out of scale, Wherever the traditional setting exists, it must be kept.No new construction, demolition or modification which would alter the relations of mass and colour must be allowed.! Article 7. A monument js inseparable from the history to which it bears witless and from the setting in which it occurs. The moving of all or part of a monument canhot be allowed except where the safeguarding of that monument demands it or where it is justified by national or international interests of paramount importance. Article 8. Items of sculpture, painting or decoration which form an integral part of a monument may only be removed from it if this is the sole means of ensuring their preservation. RESTORATION ____ Article 9. The process of restoration is a highly specialized operation. Its aim is to preserve and reveal the aesthetic and historic value of the monument and is based on respect for original material and authentic documents. It must stop at the point where conjecture begins, and in this case moreover any extra work which is indispensable must be distinct from the architectural composition and must bear a contemporary stamp. The restoration in any case must be preceded and followed by an archaeological and historical study of the monument. je 10. Where traditional techniques prove adequate, the consolidation of a monument can be achieved by the use of any modern technique for conservation and construction, the efficacy of which has been shown by scientific data and proved by experience. Article 141. The valid contributions of all periods to the building of a monument must be respected, since the unity of style is not the aim of a restoration. When building include the superimposed work of different periods, the revealing of the underlying state can only be justified in exceptional circumstances and when what is removed is of little interest and the material which is brought to light is of great historical, archaeological or aesthetic value, and its state of preservation good in enough to justify the action. Evaluation of the importance of the elements involved and the decision as to what may be destroyed carinat rest solely on the individual in charge of the work. 3 Article 12. Replacements of missing parts must integrate harmoniously with the whole, but at the same tithe must be distinguishable from the original so'that restoration does not falsify the artistic or historic evidence. Article 13. Additions cannot be allowed except in sop far as they do not detract from the interesting parts of the building, its traditional setting, the balance of its composition and its relation with its surroundings. HISTORIC SITES Article 14. The sites of monuments must be the objects of special care in order to safeguard their integrity and ensure that they are cleared and presented in a seemly manner. The work of conservation and restoration carried out in such places should be inspired by the principles set forth in the foregoing articles. The safeguard of these sites can only be ensured through theirintegration in social life which it does bring the necessary presence of the past, as a factor of identity and culture. Particular attention must be paid to the respecting of rights acquired by the local population. The conservation and restoration of sites is only efficient and must only be conceived within the framework of economic and urban planning extending to the territory of which it is an integral and important part, the territory of which it is an integral and important part, giving it an exceptional and irreplaceable character. EXCAVATIONS Article 15. Excavation should be carried out in accordance with scientific standards and the enforced UNESCO recommendations. Still within the urban framework set forth in the foregoing article, the management of archaeological sites and ruins must be maintained and measures necessary for the permanent conservation and protection of architectural features and of objects discovered must be taken. Furthermore, every means must take to facilitate the understanding of the monument and to reveal it without ever distorting its meaning. All reconstruction work should however be ruled out 2 priori. Only anastylosis, that is to say, the reassembling of existing but dismembered parts can be permitted. The. material used for integration should always be recognizable and its use should be the least that will ensure the conservation of a monument and the reinstatement of its form. DOCUMENTATION AND PUBLICATION ' Article 16. in all works of preservation, restoration or excavation, there should always be precise documentation in the form of analytical and critical reports, illustiated with drawings and photographs. Every stage of the work of clearing, consolidation, rearrangement and integration, as well as technical and formal included. This record should be placed in the archives of a public institution and made available to research workers. It is recommended that the report should be published. In addition’ tot he foregoing set of guidelines (Venice Charter), the following excerpts from the International Charter for the Conserva' of Historic Town and Urban Areas are hereforth presented with the objective of expanding and enhancing our conservation viewpoint to a macro or holistic approach. PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES 1. Inorder to be most effective, the conservation of historic towns and other historic quarters must be integrated in a coherent political, economic and social development and of urban and regional planning at every level. 2. Qualities to be preserved include the historic character of the town or urban area and all those material and spiritual elements that express this character, especially:t a.) urban patterns as defined by lots and streets; b.) relationships between buildings and green and open spaces; c.) the formal appearance, interior and exterior, of building as defined by scale, size, style, construction, materials, colour and decorations; d.) the relationships between town and the urban area and its surrounding setting, both natural and man-made; e.) the various functions that the town or urban area and its acquired over lime. Any threat to these qualities would compromise the authenticity of the historic town or urban area. 3 ‘The participation and the involvement of the residents are essential for the success of the conservation programme and should be encouraged. The conservation of historic towns and urban areas concerns. their residents first of all. Conservation in an historic town or urban area demands area demands prudence, a systematic approach and discipline. Rigidity should be avoided since individual cases may present specific problems. METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS Planning for the conservation of historic towns and urban areas should be preceded by multidisciplinary studies. Conservation plans must address all relevant factors including archaeology, history, architecture, techniques, sociology and economics. The principal objectives of the conservation plan should be clearly stated, as should the legal, administrative and financial measures necessary to attain them. The conservation plan should,aim at ensuring a harmonious relationship between the historic urban aréas and the town as a whole. The conservation plan should determine which buildings must be preserved under certain circumstances and which, under quite exceptional circumstances, must be expendable. Before any intervention, existing conditions in the area should be thoroughly documented. The conservation plan should be supported by the residents of the historic area. The conservation plan has been adopted, any necessary activity should be carried out in accordance with the principles and the aims of this Charter and the Venice Charter. Continuing maintenance is crucial to the effective conservation of a historic town or urban area. New functions and activities should be compatible with the character of the historic town or urban area.10, wd 12. 13. 4, TS. 16. Adaptation of these areas to contemporary life requires the careful installation or improvement of public service facilities. The improvement of housing should be one of the basic objectives of conservation. When it is necessary to construct new buildings or adapt existing ones, the spatial layout should be respected, especially in terms of scale and lot size. The introduction of contemporary elements. in harmony with the surroundings should not be discouraged since such features can contribute lo the enrichment of an area. Knowledge of the history of a historic town or urban area should be expanded through archaeological findings. larnic inside a historic town or urban area must be controlled and parking areas must be planned so that they do not damage the historic fabric or its environments. When urban or regional planning provides for the construction of major motorways, they must not penetrate an historic town or urban area, but they should access to them. Historic towns should be protected against natural disasters and nuisance such as pollution and vibration in order to safeguard the heritage and for the eecurity and well being of the residents. Whatever the nature of a disaster affecting an historic town or urban area, preventive and repair measures must be adapted to the specific character of the propeities concerned. In order to encourage their participation and involvement, a general information programme should be set up for all residents, beginning with children of school age. Tho action of associations for the protection of heritage should be encouraged and financial measures. in favour of conservation and restoration should be adopted. Specialized training should be provided for all those professions concerned with conservation. Epoxd/Laws