Architectural conservation

Architectural conservation

Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator. Decisions of when and how to engage in an intervention are critical to the ultimate conservation of the immovable object. Ultimately, the decision is value based: a combination of artistic, contextual, and informational values is normally considered. In some cases, a decision to not intervene may be the most appropriate choice.

Narrow definition

Architectural conservation deals with issues of prolonging the life and integrity of architectural materials, such as stone, brick, glass, metal, and wood. In this sense, the term refers to the "professional use of a combination of science, art, craft, and technology as a preservation tool" [1] and is allied with its parent field, art conservation.

Broad definition

In addition to the art/science definition described above, architectural conservation may refer to issues of identification, policy, regulation, and advocacy associated with the entirety of the older built environment. This broader scope recognizes that society must have mechanisms to identity and value historic cultural resources, create laws to protect these resources, and develop policies and management plans for interpretation, protection, and education.

Regional usage

In the United States, architectural conservation is used in the narrow sense and applies to the art/scientific treatment of cultural heritage and is considered to be a subset of historic preservation. In most other areas of the world, architectural conservation is used broadly for all aspects of the older built environment and is a subset of heritage conservation or cultural patrimony.[2]

In Asia where many of the fast developing and redeveloping cities are facing the issue of protecting its built heritage, architectural conservation becomes synonymous with urban conservation. A case in point is Singapore, where the government's Urban Redevelopment Authority[3] directs urban planning and urban architectural conservation.

In China, heritage conservation is divided into archaeology and architectural conservation. Increasingly, heritage conservation, be they of underground or above ground nature, is employed as the means to the economic end of tourism development. Regional governments in China are realizing the economic potential (through domestic and international tourism) of having World Heritage Sites in their possession, and there has been a flurry to apply for listing of heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The threat of over-commercialization of heritage sites with World Heritage status in China to cater to the hordes of domestic and foreign tourists, as already happened to the historic town of Lijiang, has highlighted the importance of the field of cultural heritage management--how to maintain the site in a sustainable way after it has been proper conserved and opened to visitors. Hence, architectural Conservation in the Chinese context is increasingly more closely allied with heritage management and tourism studies.


Related journals

International Journal of Architectural Heritage
Journal of the American Institute for Conservation


See also

Historic Preservation
Art conservation and restoration
Materials science
Category:Heritage organizations
English Heritage
List of historic houses
National Register of Historic Places
National Trusts worldwide
World Heritage Sites


External links

Icon, the Institute of Conservation (UK Professional body)*

Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home Residing in Salem, Ma this authentic and fully rebuilt Chinese house of the Huang family, offers an in depth and interactive look into accurately restored Chinese architecture of the Qing dynasty.

Asian Academy for Heritage Management, a virtual institute under UNESCO Bangkok's Office of the Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific.

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

Architectural Conservation Programme at The University of Hong Kong, Asia's leading postgraduate-level professional programme in built-heritage conservation.

Cultural Heritage Management Programme in the School of Professional and Continuing Education at The University of Hong Kong, a postgraduate-level professional programme that focuses on the management of cultural heritage assets.

American Institute for Conservation, the professional body in the US representing practitioners of architectural conservation.

Parks Canada, the official Canadian government agency responsible for the conservation of Canada's natural and cultural (tangible and intangible) heritage.

English Heritage, the official British government agency responsible for the conservation of English heritage.

Historic Scotland, the official British government agency responsible for the conservation of Scottish heritage.

Antiquities and Monuments Office, the official agency of the Hong Kong Government responsible for the conservation of local cultural heritage.

Heritage of Malaysia Trust, the quasi-government agency in Malaysia responsible for the conservation of local cultural heritage.