AR 17-96-1 - ARCHITE! CTURAL CONSERVATION - Elective II MODULE 1: An Introduction to Architectural Conservation Staff-ln-Charge: CK Contents: Definitions: Tangible and Intangible - Natural Heritage, Built heritage, Cultural Heritage. ‘The significant challenges and principles of conservation, Values and Ethics of Conservation, The Degrees of Intervention, Need and scope for multidisciplinary expertise. Classification of Heritage, Grades of Monuments, World Heritage Sites Definitions “Preservation” means and includes maintaining the fabric of a place in its existing state and retarding detertoration. “Conservation” means all the processes of looking after a place/building to retain its historical, architectural, aesthetic, cultural significance. It includes maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adoption or a combination of more than one technique. * The primary aim is to allow the continuation of life in a durable fabric. = The present generation acts as a custodian of the heritage value and significance by allowing the continuity to bridge between the past, present, and future generations. = Conservation is a movement activated by the realization that the natural and cultural resources of this planet are limited and are being eroded at an alarming rate. It is becoming a shared responsibility, nationally as well as internationally. “Heritage” means any property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance. “Heritage conservation” deals with actions or processes that are aimed at safeguarding the character-defining clements of a cultural resource so as to retain its heritage value and extend its physical life. ‘+ Heritage conservation doesn’t mean freezing a building in time, creating a museum or tying the hands. of property owners so they can't do anything with their properties. “Heritage building’ means and includes any building of one or more premises or any part thereof and/or structure and/or artefact which requires conservation and / or preservation for historical and / or architectural and / or artisanry and /or aesthetic and/or cultural and/or environmental and/or ecological purpose and includes such portion of land adjoining such building or part thereof as may be required for fencing or covering or in any manner preserving the historical and/or architectural and/or aesthetic and/or cultural value of such building. “Heritage Precincts” means and includes any space that requires conservation and /or preservation for historical and/or architectural and/or aesthetic and/or cultural and/or environmental and/or ecological purpose. Walls or other boundaries ofa particular area or place or building or may enclose such space by an imaginary line drawn around it What Is Bullt Heritage? Built heritage should be deemed to mean those buildings, artifacts, structures, areas and precincts that are of historic, aesthetic, architectural or cultural significance and should include natural features within such areas or precinets of environmental significance or scenic beauty such as sacred groves, hills, hillocks, water bodies (and the areas adjoining the same), open areas, wooded areas, etc. It must be recognized that the cultural landscape around a heritage site is critical for the interpretation oftthe site and its built heritage and. thus is very much an integral part of it. Architectural heritage is perhaps the most permanent reminder of the culture of any civilization. The conservation of built heritage is therefore, perceived to be in the long- term interest of society.Heritage Conservation ‘The immense variety and the qualitative and quantitative richness of the archaeological, architectural, historical and artistic, environmental and natural, archival and written (paper & palm leaf) heritage of our land has to be preserved and should be put to wise sustainable use. What is heritage? Allwhat we inherit from the pastor from our forefathers including customs, taboos, built space and natural elements, Broadly heritage can be classified into two types: a. Natural heritage: water bodies, hill mountain, mangroves etc b, Builtheritage which includes - Palaces, temples, houses, wells tanks, baolies, cities, forts, moats, ete. * Heritage is not just monuments it is much more than it. Heritage sites includes buildings artifacts structures areas and precincts of historic and/or architectural and or cultural significance and for environmental significance and natural features of environmental significance and/or of scenic beauty including sacred groves hills, hillocks, water bodies open areas wooded areas etc. “Natural heritage” is also an important part of a society's heritage, encompassing the countryside and natural environment, including flora and fauna, scientifically known asbiodiversity, as well as geological elements (including mineralogical, geomorphological, paleontological, ete.), scientifically known as geodiversity. “Cultural heritage” is the sum total of historical sites, neighborhoods, art collections and practices that a society inherits from its past and tries to preserve for future generation. In principle nothing is as far removed from our production and trade-based economy as this body of unchanging assets that defy duplication. + Traditional Knowledge systems (Agriculture) | Musical and dance forms ‘ Treatment systems (Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Siddha, etc.) + Traditional practices (Art & decoration, clay & metal craft, traditional murals & sculptures) + Traditional craftsmanship | Transportation systems . Food and Customs habits + Pairs & Festivals “Tangible Cultural Heritage" refers to physical artefacts produced, maintained and transmitted intergenerationally in a society. It includes artistic creations, built heritage such as buildings and monuments, and other physical or tangible products of human creativity that are invested with cultural significance in a society. eg: Objects, artefacts, buildings, places and monuments are known as tangible cultural heritage. Tangible heritage is divided in other two kinds of heritage: movable and immovable. The tangible movable heritage is composed by archeological, historic, _— ethnographic, religious and _ artistic [ee objects, for example, artworks, a — ral Hertage ‘ral Hestage manuscripts and documents, recordings, photographs, audiovisual documents. ete. oo] The Immovable Tangible Heritage is 7 = ery composed by monuments, groups of buildings and sites. They are human works C4 that cannot be moved from one place to pasa [mane another, either because they are : structures or because they are inseparable 1 { + Panings * siotealbvtargs | [+ Ora actions & expression from the land, for example archaeological reas. a Cr perenp eee rel sites. 2 Fame 1 Archaeologica stes | |< Traction sale Sa pings"Intangible cultural heritage" consists of non-physical aspects of a particular culture, often maintained by social customs during a specific period in history. The ways and means of behavior in a society, and the often formal rules for operating in a particular cultural climate, + These include social values and traditions, customs and practices, aesthetic and spiritual beliefs, artistic expression, language and other aspects of human activity * The significance of physical artifacts can be interpreted against the backdrop of sociveconomic, political, ethnic, religious and philosophical values of a particular group of people. Naturally, intangible cultural heritage is more difficult to preserve than physical objects. ETHICS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION: Conditions to be observed while doing conservation: * Authenticity - conservation should faithfully reflect the significant values of original idea /context * Conjecture - An exact replacement must be valued if it ensures continuity of traditional building practices + Integrity - accepts the introduction of new elements, materials and technologies when local traditions are insufficient or unavailable. + Patina - An aged appearance caused by environmental factors, either acquired naturally or artificially induced + Rights of the indigenous community - respect the fact that local cultures are not static and, therefore, encourage active community involvement in the process of decision-making. + Respect for the contributions ofall periods aim isnot so much to reveal the authentic quality ofthe past or preserve its original integrity to mediate its evolving cultural significance to achieve beneficial results + Inseparable bond with setting - site is inseparable from its physical and cultural context ‘+ Minimal intervention - substantial additions and alterations may be acceptable provided the significance of the heritage is retained or enhanced + Minimal loss of fabric - introducing new use /material should be determined on the basis of the intervention’s contribution to the continuity of cultural practices + Reversibility - process of intervention contributes to conserving the traditional context as far as possible in the modified form + Legibility - Where modern material or technology is used, it could be used to replicate the old or be distinguished from it * Demolish/ Rebuild - the building may be dismantled and reassembled at another appropriate site under severe threat «Relationship between the conservation architect and the community - there must be room in the conservation process for dialogue and negotiated decision making, including the desires and aspirations of the local community and the traditional practices. PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION 1. Repair not restore «Although no building can withstand decay, neglect and depredation entirely, neither can aesthetic judgement nor archaeological proof justify the reproduction of worn or missing parts. Only as a practical expedient on a small scale can a case for restoration be argued. 2. Responsible methods * Arepair done today should not preclude treatment tomorrow, nor should it result in further loss of fabric. 3. Complement not parody ‘+ New work should express modern needs ina modern language.‘+ These are the only terms in which new can relate to old in a way which is positive and responsive at the same time. ‘* _Ifanaddition proves essential, it should not be made to out-do or out-last the original. 4, Regular maintenance * This is the most practical and economic form of preservation, 5. Information ‘= Torepair old buildings well, they must be understood. ‘Appreciation ofa building's particular architectural qualities and a study of its construction, use and social development are all enlightening. © These factors also help us to see why decay sets in and how it may be putright, 6. Essential work / Minimum physical intervention + The only work which is unquestionably necessary (whether it be repair, renewal or addition) is that essential to a building's survival. 7. Integrity As good buildings age, the bond with their sites strengthens. A beautiful, interesting or simply ancient building stil belongs where it stands however corrupted that place may have become. + Use and adaptation of buildings leave their marks and these, in time, we also see as aspects of the building's integrity. This is why the Society will not condone the moving or gutting of buildings or their reduction to mere fagades. ‘Repairs carried out in place, rather than on elements dismantled and moved to the work-bench, help retain these qualities of veracity and continuity. 8. Fitnew to old ‘+ When repairs are made, new material should always be fitted to the old and not the old adapted to accept the new. In this way more ancient fabric will survive, 9. Workmanship + Why tryto hide good repairs? Careful considered workmanship does justice to fine buildings, leaving the most durable and useful record of what has been done. + On the other hand, work concealed deliberately or artificially aged, even with the best intentions, is bound to mislead. Is «The use of architectural features from elsewhere confuses the understanding and appreciation of a building, even making the untouched parts seem spurious. + Trade in + salvaged building materials encourages the destruction of old buildings, whereas demand for the same materials new helps keep them in production. + The use of different but compatible materials can be an honest alternative. 11. Respect for age ‘Bulging, bowing, sagging and leaning are signs of age which deserve respect. Good repair + will not officiously iron them out, smarten them or hide the imperfections. Age can confer + abeauty of its own. These are qualities to care for, not blemishes to be eradicated. 12, Maintenance of visual setting « Asstated in the Washington Charter, the setting of an historic building is integral with the whole and should be dealt with accordingly. This means that the demesne lands of a country house, the original frame of a painting and the historic streetscape of a town are all elements which should be conserved or restored where possible. + Care should be taken to preserve historic park land, as far as possible, when development proposals are being considered. In some instances, maintenance of the setting may prove difficult in practical terms, but respect for the setting is of paramount importance in conservation/restoration work. URBAN CONSERVATION + itis matter ofa scale, but they are all interrelated its difference between the focus "architectural conservation - particular structure,* Urban conservation - a larger area a part of the city or different parts of the city or sometimes the city or sometimes a group of cities or not only the cities the settlements also or probably there are areas which are no longer a settlement maybe archaeological sites we may talk about that. + The objective of urban conservation ranges from mere protection of monuments/historic buildings to the need of integrated conservation policy into a system of dynamic urban planning. 7 DEGREES OF INTERVENTION: 1. ousun 7. Prevention of deterioration Preservation of the existing one Consolidation of the fabric Restoration Rehabilitation Reproduction Reconstruction Intervention: the act or fact of taking action about something in order to affect its outcome. 1. Prevention of deterioration + Against environment preventing the damage from becoming active + Noglect to be avoided + Control of humidity, vandalism, theft, arson. + Atmospheric pollution and traffic vibration + Regular inspection 2. Preservation + Tokeep the object in the existing state + Repairs to be carried out to prevent further decay For example, a cultural property exposed to rain may further deteriorate and can be preserved from further decay 3. Consolidation + Physical addition into the actual fabric of the cultural property to ensure structural integrity + exmural painting + For buildings, consolidation of existing material needs to be carried out if strength is deteriorating. + Traditional methods are inadequate. Modern techniques shall be used but should be reversible. + Temporary measure in the case of short-lived materials like mud etc. + No historical evidence to be destroyed and the integrity of the structural system to be respected. 4. Restoration + torevive the original concept of the object + based on original material and authentic evidence + Replacement of missing elements should be harmoniously blended and, at the same time, identifiable + While restoring contributions from all the period to be respected + cleaning, replacement of missing elements are part of the restoration + [fahistoric building contains layers of different periods, the revealing ofthe underlying work is justified if only thatis of great historical + Restoration by anastylosis+ Cleaning, replacement of missing clements are not an essential partof restoration unless and until authentic evidence of the missing parts are available or else only scientific restoration is permitted, especially to sculptures and carvings; this is very important or else the authenticity is lost 5. Rehabilitation + the best way to preserve buildings or any object of cultural value is to keep them in use + Original use is the best for the fabric + Adaptive reuse of buildings is another way of saving the historical values of structures 6.Reproduction + reproduction entails exact copying of the missing or decayed parts to maintain aesthetic, harmony + Ifthe environment threatens valuable cultural property, it may be moved toa safe place and substituted with a reproduction 7-Reconstruction + Reconstruction must be based on actual accurate documentation &evidence and not on conjecture. + Reconstruction using new materials may be necessitated by disasters like fire, earthquake, war ete. Shifting the entire building to a new site is another form of reconstruction conse! Climate Change and concomitant disasters Changing Demands on Land Resources and functions Conflict in ownership status - Lack of maintenance Decays (Natural or Social) - Neglect, Disasters, War and Vandalism Availability of original components Limited availability of specialists and lack of personnel training. Labour and skill shortages Unscientific interventions )._Mass consumption ~ Tourism 10. Lack of awareness [STING - what is it? + Itisatool for the protection of the buildings and not an exercise for making archives. + [twill contain minimum data to identify the project «It is easy to get it done and will form the base for conservation + Itis good to have an outsider in the team for listing + The information thus collected creates awareness about the local heritage. # It facilitates action for providing legal protection to heritage assets + Listing must be published, not only for purposes of record but also for wider dissemination in the form of reference books and guide books, etc. Listing is done for (i) Natural Heritage, (ii) Built Heritage, (ili) Art (Material) Heritage, and (iv) Intangible (Living) Heritage.Criteria for Listing Built (Architectural) Heritage: ‘The first and foremost step in fulfilling the mandate of preserving and conserving heritage is to first know what it is and that means its inventorization or listing, which is also meant to protect historic buildings from needless demolition as towns and cities get redesigned and rebuilt. The following three key concepts need to be understood to determine whether a property is worthy of listing: 1. Historic significance 2. Historic integrity 3. Historic context One or more of these concepts needs to be applicable to a building to make it worthy of listing, i, Historic Significance Historic significance is the importance of a property to the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture of a community, region or nation. In selecting a building, particular attention should be paid to the following: + Association with events, activities or patterns. + Association with important persons. + Distinctive physical characteristics of design, construction or form, representing work ofa master craftsman + Potentialto yield important information suchas illustrating social and economic history, through the railway stations, town halls, clubs, markets, water works, ete. + Technological innovations such as dams, bridges, ete. + Distinct town planning features like squares, streets, avenues, ¢: ii, Historic Integrity Historic integrity is the authenticity of a property's historic identity, evidenced by the survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property's historic period. Historic integrity enables a property to illustrate significant aspects of its past. Not only must a property resemble the historic appearance but it must also retain physical materials, design features and aspects of construction dating from the period when it attained significance. ili. Historic Context Historic context is information about historic trends and properties grouped by an important theme in the history ofa community, region or nation during a particular period of time. Knowledge of historic context enables the list-maker to understand a historic property as a product of its time. eg: Multiple Properties Ahistoric building complex may comprise numerous ancillary structures besides the main structure within the same precinct giving the complex its identity. Each such structure contributing to the complex needs to be documented on individual Proformas, but ina sequence at one place. eg: The historic garden of all scales, historic periods, and various typologies attached to forts, palaces, havelies, tombs, courtyards, temples, houses, bungalows, archaeological sites or botanical gardens. Methodology of Listing: Listing work comprises two phases: 1. Background research 2. Fieldwork 3. Data Compilation, Inventories and Publication , Rajpath in Lutyens New DelhiBackground Research: + Gather basic information from various sources including gazettes, travel books and several other specialized books on the history of the area to be listed. © Sources: Libraries and archives of various universities, institutions (central/state/private individuals/trusts); Museums; local experts, professionals and scholars + Identify historic areas, historic developments in the area, significance of the events that may have taken place at different times, important persons who may have shaped historical developments, cultural developments, and similar features that may be unique to the area, * Document distinctive physical characteristics of design, construction, materials, and forms of buildings can also be identified. Field Work: * Before fieldwork, the lister should collect or make a reliable map of the area and its various constituents. © Sources: Survey of India maps © Maps from the state department on the town and country planning, © Ward mapsavailable with the municipal/ cantonment/panchayat authorities ©. Transport network maps (such as the maps by Kicher in Delhi) * Physically inspecting the property and meeting local people to record information © Torecord details in the prescribed format, itis essential to meet property owners, residents, local _ward/panchayat_ members, knowledgeable residents and representatives of institutions, Proforma for Inventory of Historic Buildings and Sites5 a | i Information includes physical characteristics of the property, the date of construction, style of construction, design characteristics, ete, oPhotography is an essential component of listing. A photograph freezes the building and its setting in the time when it is taken. In this context, old photographs, if available, can constitute a very important record in the listing. A comparison would show the changes that have occurred over time to the building and, in particular, to its embellishments. Data Compilation, Inventories and Publication: ‘The information has to be analyzed and published in a form that can be made available to the public for information and to such of the stakeholders that may like to use it for area planning and for the protection, conservation —_ and preservation of the area’s-built heritage. Astakeholder is a party that hasan interest in the project and can either affect or be affected by the business. eg: State government departments Central government agencies CM and concerned ministers MP & MLA Heads of the local authorities Concerned local officers Concerned heads of local institutions such as the army, police, post office, colleges, schools, ete Citizenslegal status of the list - role of statutory authorities: Mere listing is of limited use unless it serves the cause of preservation and conservation of Table of Contents the heritage of the area. mE PTT Publication of the listing of the tear boee area does help in raising the level ea atc of awareness and public 3] Pan Mads (New Howsey consciousness about what tient . > constitutes their heritage. | ra eet Dares Keim However, the cause of |_ . 6 | Rotate preservation and conservation of Listing- Kozhikode [ 1990 heritage can be served only by an addon (Eastera Howe: with Respect the Tetiple close providing statutory backing to the 8 ‘Ottice of Janaila Steel Mls (P) Lied i listing. Only the statutory backing D Shinkaralayom (House of Shankara) f makes it an effective tool for |, 10. | Pali conservation. Listing of the built heritage and giving it a statutory back-up has to be in accordance with the rules, regulations and byelaws framed under the relevant state Acts that govern the development and use of land. In most states this activity is controlled and regulated under the state's town and country planning legislation. Heritage regulations can be and should be suggested and formulated under such relevant legislation. Such heritage regulations have been adopted in some states (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal). Legislation or regulation - theneed Without legislation there can be no preservation. Restoration preserves only few sites and legislation protects hundreds. Legislation need not require much money except in the initial stage. Legislation does not restore building but prevent it from demolishment etc. Legislation can be enacted through local T&C planning laws. GRADING 1/11/11 ‘The grade assigned toa building/ property will Typologies of Grades: depend on © Archaeological: A/B/C a. Age © Architectural: A/B/C b. State of Preservation * Historical: A/B/C ¢. Archaeological, Historical and © Associational: A/B/C * Social/Culturak: A/B/C Final Grading: P*/1/I1A/1B/11 Architectural ValueGrade I*: This category comprises buildings and precincts of national and historic importance and are under the protection of the ASI or State Department of Archaeology. «Eg: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai Grade I: Buildings/ properties in this category are of exceptional national/ regional importance with unique features and are the prime landmarks ofa city/ town. These buildings need to be kept under permanent state of preservation, and can be recommended for protection. Interventions in such structures are to be closely monitored. + Ege: Jami Masjid, New Delhi Grade II: This category comprises buildings of local importance, possessing special architectural or historical value. These buildings form local landmarks contributing to the image and identity of the city. + Eg: St. Columba's School, Ashok Place, New Delhi Grade I: This category comprises buildings/ precincts, which normally do not qualify for permanent retention, but are nevertheless of some historical or architectural importance and contribute to determining the character of the locality. + Eg: Imperial Hotel mid Campus, Delhi WORLD HERITAGE SITES: * Itisa landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization + World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. o Asof july 2021, a total of 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 natural, & 39 mixed properties) exist across 167 countries (40 sites in India). © With 58 selected areas, Italy is the country with the most sites on the list In 1960, the Director-General of UNESCO launched the International Campaign to save the monuments of Nubia as per the request of govt of Egypt to relocate several important temples to higher ground that may be under threat of new dam project at Aswan. + Signed: 16 November 1972 | Location: Paris, France | Effective: 17 December 1975 * Condition: 20 ratifications | Ratifiers: 193 Nomination process: 1. Enlist the significant cultural and natural sites into a document known as the Tentative List. 2. The selected into the Nomination File, is evaluated by the ICOMOS & WCU « Acountry may not nominate sites that have not been first included on its Tentative List, 3. These bodies then make their recommendations to the World Heritage Committee That meets once a year to determine whether or not to inscribe on the World Heritage List or not «There are ten selection criteria a site must meet at least one to be included on the list.Selection criteria: Cultural, Natural & Mixed ~ Cultural i."To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius" ii, "To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design" iil, "To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony toa cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared” iv."To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history” v. "To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when ithas become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change" vi.""To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance" Cultural E.g:: Site No. 252: Taj Mahal, an example of a cultural heritage site, Mattancherry Palace, Ernakulam, Kerala, The fortified city of} Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India, Great Living Chola Temples. = Criterion (i): Taj Mahal represents the finest architectural and artisticachievement through perfect harmony and excellent craftsmanship in a whole range of Indo-Islamic sepulchral architecture. Itis a masterpiece of architectural style in conception, treatment and execution and has unique aesthetic qualities in balance, symmetry and harmonious blending of various elements. Natural vii. "to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance" viii, "to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features" ix. "to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals" x, "to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation” Natural E.g.: Site No. 156: Serengeti National Park, an example of natural heritage site «Site No. 274: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, an example of a mixed heritage site + Western Ghats (9 & 10), Khangchendzonga National Park, River Island of Majuli midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam. - Criterion (ix): The Western Ghats region demonstrates speciation related to the breakup of the ancientlandmass of Gondwanaland in the early Jurassic period. Criterion (x): The Western Ghats contain exceptional levels of plant and animal diversity and endemicity fora continental area (4-5,000 plant species, 179 Animal species, 219 fishes species & 157 reptiles species)