What can you learn from working on historic preservation projects?

If there is one thing we can learn from preservation, it is that architectural visions last over decades and we must not be afraid to dream. We must not forget the term "architecture" and never replace it with "construction" as that will mean dismissing the human aspect of buildings and cities which shape out world. Though we have more means than ever before in the digital age, it seems as though architecture is declining to a narrow and linear discipline where architects have become permit drawing service providers. Let's take back the power and make architecture great again.

It is always a pleasure working on historic preservation projects. Every built structure has a story to tell. Personally, while working for a brief time with India's first UNESCO world heritage city, the walled city of Ahmedabad, one could tell the importance/acknowledgement given to all animals in their age old architecture. It is interesting to see their modern day adaptation, as some historic residential units now serve as an affordable accommodation for the working class, while some still serve the same purpose that was centuries old like the bird houses also known as 'chabutras', that are an iconic symbol of the walled city.

Una de las cosas más relevantes en los proyectos de preservación histórica, es que los edificios cumplen con una función y un uso específico dependiendo del contexto histórico y social en el cual fueron diseñados y construidos, así, un edificio que fue una iglesia puede ser hoy una biblioteca, una antigua fábrica puede convertirse en lujosos apartamentos etc. Es posible conservar los edificios históricos otorgándoles una nueva función, de esta manera, no solo contribuimos a la conservación del patrimonio sino que aportamos al cuidado del medio ambiente al reducir la generación de escombros y reciclar los edificios antiguos.

Knowledge is the most valuable tool, since experience would be even better, but is not an easy skill to acquire when it relates to restoration

I believe the key to revolutionizing historic preservation lies in seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology and sustainability. This fusion not only upholds the building's architectural essence but also propels it into the future, meeting today's environmental and social demands. Integrating smart, energy-efficient solutions or employing advanced materials or techniques that replicate historical aesthetics can be something to explore. Such innovative approaches ensure that historic structures not only survive but thrive, striking a perfect harmony between past and present. After all the future generation (that is born into tech) must understand the value of heritage.

Understanding Heritage: Working with historic preservation exposes you to the richness of cultural heritage and the stories embedded in historical buildings, sites, and artifacts. Cultural Significance: You gain a deeper appreciation for the historical, architectural, and societal significance of these structures or locations within a community or society. Adapting to Challenges: Every project comes with unique challenges, whether it's dealing with aging materials, adhering to preservation guidelines, or navigating legal and financial hurdles. Community Involvement: Preservation projects often involve engaging with local communities, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their shared history.

Comprender el contexto en proyectos de preservación histórica es crucial para conservar y restaurar de manera auténtica edificaciones y objetos. Esto implica investigar la historia, arquitectura y cultura asociada, asegurando que las intervenciones respeten la autenticidad y el significado cultural. Además, considerar factores como el entorno circundante y las comunidades locales es fundamental para lograr una preservación sostenible y significativa.

Working on historic preservation projects in the field of luxury architecture can provide valuable insights and lessons that contribute to your professional growth. Here are several things you can learn from such experiences: Architectural Heritage: Historic preservation projects offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the architectural heritage of a region. You can gain a deep understanding of various historical architectural styles, construction methods, and cultural influences. Conservation Techniques: Learn about conservation techniques and best practices for preserving historic structures. This includes understanding how to maintain and repair materials unique to different historical periods, such as ornate moldings.

People often think that we are preserving buildings but we are actually preserving history by tell stories of people and places. Buildings are just wood or stone but their true value is a place to keep memories and history alive.

- Respect for history and culture - Architectural and conservation skills -Project Management - Cooperation with different specialists - Solving complex problems -Sensitivity to environmental issues - Literature and technical writing

Historical preservation projects are our methodology of learning from the past to shape the future. Extracting specific contextual elements from cultures and heritage is probably one of the most successful methods in creating diverse, inclusive, and future-proof spaces. EU (and Unesco) policies are starting to recognise the added value, so we need to find ways to incorporate this into our spatial projects early on.

The preservation of historic monuments, practices and knowledge - our tangible and intangible hertiage, is an essential tool and missing pillar in addressing climate change challenges. Our ancestors, and collective knowledge they carried through generations stored in historic practices and sites can offer a perspective on lifestyles tuned with nature, with respect to other humans, animals and valuable natural resources. These good practices are often born out of need rather than greed, which can inspire new mindset and lifestyles needed to build climate resilience.

Research Skills: Engage in historical research to uncover the original design intent, construction methods, and historical significance of a structure. Developing strong research skills is crucial for informing restoration decisions and maintaining authenticity. Adaptability: Historic preservation projects may present unexpected challenges, such as dealing with aged materials or uncovering unforeseen structural issues. This fosters adaptability and problem-solving skills as you navigate unique project constraints.

In NYC especially, I think mixing the old and new aesthetically can lead to some beautiful projects. Recently, 25 Park Row comes to mind.

Balancing old and new architectural elements in building design can be challenging but rewarding. It involves preserving the historical significance and charm of older buildings while incorporating modern features and amenities to meet the needs of contemporary users. The key to achieving this balance is carefully considering the building's context, purpose, and intended audience. By combining the best of both worlds, architects can create not only functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings but also culturally and historically significant. Whether it's a renovation project or a new building design, balancing old and new architectural elements can result in a unique and timeless creation that stands the test of time.

Le nouveau est l’occasion de mettre en avant la beauté de l’ancien. Pensez dès le départ à comment créer le pont entre la fonctionnalité du lieu précédent et celle désirée aujourd’hui. Protégez, restaurez et conservez les éléments principaux pour garder la mémoire du lieu. Puis les intégrer comme s’il s’agissait d’œuvres d’arts à mettre en valeur dans un nouvel espace.

the old is best highlighted (therefore preserved in context) when additions are shown in a different style. the contrast between old and new shines a bright light upon the fabric of heritage architecture.

Los Centros Hitoricos se enucentran en una ubicación inmejorable, ademas de contener patrimonio invaluable de nuestras ciudades. Sin embargo el desarrollo urbano con el tiempo ha provocado el desuso de algunos inmuebles en estas zonas dando oportunidad a la nueva arquitectura a coexistir en estos contextos. Es imprescindible por lo tanto entender el equilibiro entre lo nuevo y lo antiguo, creando proyectos que le den nuevos valores a estos entrornos.

As rightly pointed out, buildings need to have modern elements. Since a building's functionality is determined by the people using it, these modern elements must be added accordingly. The public heritage must not only consider resilience and sustainability, but also must be made universally accessible for all, irrespective of disability, gender, caste, or socio-economic status. Along with this, a physical heritage is always closely related to the social, economic, and cultural practices of the people using the physical heritage, which should be taken into account during preservation.

The transition between the old to new should be able to create a continuous flow to the existing structural character while creating spaces with transitions to cope up with old to new awareness with in the users while planning and designing preservation projects.

Collaboration with Experts: Preservation projects often involve collaboration with historians, archaeologists, conservators, and other specialists. Learning to work alongside experts in various fields enhances your ability to integrate diverse perspectives into your design approach.

Collaboration with different experts in historical projects needed to ascertain different understanding regarding the site and project to avoid any alterations or demolition of historical evidence which can impact its historical significance.

Through collaboration with more experienced professionals from all facets of the design process true learning can be achieved. There should be college courses that have their students participate in these preservation projects to observe some of the seasoned professionals work.

I learn so much from the professionals that I work with. Each brings a unique perspective to the project. Some may know about the history, others more about technical features. When I learn I can capture it in my photographs thus making for a better project.

Working in various historical projects let you collaborate with other various skill professionals in the field of historical architecture. Let people explore more deep in the field of ancient architecture style to get know what else hide in the style which are yet to discovered.

The preservation projects always include professionals from different fields to increase the efficiency and credibility of the work. It includes the Unesco approved bodies to assess the site/ building/ artefact to enlist it in heritage and approve for conservation if required.

As I've worked with historic buildings, one of the things that I am routinely struck by is the ingenuity of the workers who constructed them. When you physically get into a building, carefully dismantling what's necessary for repair, you often come across details that aren't shown in any drawing. However, thinking through the challenges faced by the original builders, it becomes evident what problems they were solving with the approach to the construction that they took. It's a way of connecting with those people who lived and worked in the past that is incredibly visceral to me.

Working on historic preservation projects helps develop a strong understanding and respect for the cultural and historical background of a site or structure. Recognizing the significance of a place within its historical context is essential for making thoughtful decisions during the preservation process.

I was asked to photograph a house that, as it turns out, was probably one of the most historic building projects I ever worked on. Issues that the family endured had relevance 100 years later and was still being discussed. I later learned that this story was being taught as a case study to graduate level preservation students.

Preserving or reviving a historic building or place requires a comprehensive approach. Involving historical research, community engagement, and sustainable conservation practices. -Strategies include: archival research for historical context, and collaboration with historians -engaging local communities through oral history, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder involvement -addressing challenges through environmental impact assessments and detailed conservation planning -fostering responsibility and passion with educational programs, cultural events, and volunteer initiatives. These combined strategies create a holistic approach, fostering appreciation for the project's historical, cultural, and architectural significance.

I truly believe that working on preservation projects and understanding the architectural era of the context or even the building really helps in creating a better vision that really inspires the architect in his design process. for example when you understand a building like villa Capra by Palladio you really understand how to create a space with an accurate design ratios ,and also for me when I worked on Historical building in Cairo from the early 20’s it made me understand a lot about execution methods and design details that they used in that era which made more capable to understand the building and create a better perspective in my process of doing an adaptive reuse design to the building .

Valorar el patrimonio en proyectos de preservación histórica implica reconocer y apreciar la importancia cultural, histórica y social de los lugares y objetos que se pretenden conservar. Esto implica realizar evaluaciones exhaustivas de los elementos patrimoniales, considerando su significado en la historia local o global, su valor arquitectónico y su conexión con la identidad cultural. Además, es esencial involucrar a las comunidades locales en el proceso para asegurar que sus perspectivas y conocimientos también se incorporen, contribuyendo así a una preservación más completa y significativa.

Es importante valorar el patrimonio arquitectónico por varias razones. En primer lugar, al preservar estas construcciones históricas estamos protegiendo la historia y la identidad cultural de una comunidad. Además, el patrimonio arquitectónico puede atraer turismo cultural, lo que beneficia a la economía local. También es importante destacar que este patrimonio arquitectónico sirve como una valiosa herramienta educativa, ya que nos permite aprender sobre las técnicas constructivas y estilos arquitectónicos de diferentes épocas. También promueve el desarrollo sostenible, ya que evita la destrucción de estructuras antiguas y fomenta la conservación y rehabilitación de las mismas.

It is often the case that society's appreciation of an significant building comes too late and only the next generation would have wished for it to be preserved instead of demolished. Sometimes the quality of a building may only be recognised once it has disappeared from its urban context. A sensitivity to the time of construction and the social context in which the architecture was created is important in order to understand the cultural value of the architecture.

Everyone should own and celebrate the heritage either tangible or intangible transferred from their ancestors. At government and local levels many heritage enthusiasts keeps on celebrating world heritage day to raise awareness of their particular culture, traditions or heritage importance buildings to develop sense of ownership among society.

Once the building/ site gets enlisted in approved heritage list. At government or local level one can ask for Conservation Funds by declaring it as enlisted National Heritage Asset.

Sensitivity to Context: Preservation work emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the context of a historic site. This sensitivity to context can be applied to your broader architectural practice, enhancing your ability to design in harmony with existing surroundings. Documentation Practices: Proper documentation is crucial in historic preservation to capture the existing conditions, changes made over time, and the restoration process. Developing meticulous documentation practices is a transferable skill that contributes to the success of future projects.

8. Elements and principles of design along with use of materials and technology. Working on conservation of Historical buildings or retrofitting will make you understand the basic concepts of planning and designing the building according to the climate of the era and topography of the region. For eg. Taj Mahal of Agra, India is a classic example of such a historical building. It is constructed on the river side with a special type of pile foundation, made in white marble to reflect heat and symbolize peace with a monumental scale to create its identity. The building is symmetrical and balanced along with use of windows and jali patterns to cross ventilation of cool breeze from the river.

Client Relations: Historic preservation projects often involve working closely with property owners, historical societies, and community stakeholders. Building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders becomes a valuable skill that extends beyond preservation projects. Value of Heritage: Engaging in historic preservation projects reinforces the value of preserving cultural heritage and architectural legacy. This awareness can influence your design philosophy and approach, promoting sustainability and longevity in your work.

Understanding whether the heritage is alive is an important aspect of preservation. I have learnt from my experiences that intangible and tangible heritage, both last longer and evolve when they are allowed to be practised. Not every heritage needs to be showcased as an object. Ways should be explored on how to make them relevant to the current context.

I think the concept of using gaming for historic preservation is indeed intriguing. It opens up possibilities for interactive learning and engagement with history in a way traditional methods may not. Maybe we could explore the creation of a virtual platform where architects, historians, and gamers collaborate to recreate historic sites. This platform could serve as a digital archive, preserving detailed 3D models of heritage sites at risk. Additionally, incorporating augmented reality could allow users to experience historical sites in their real-world context, blending past and present in a unique educational experience. The future needs tech-driven approaches to revolutionize the way we perceive and interact with our cultural heritage.

Al evaluar proyectos de preservación histórica desde una perspectiva arquitectónica, es esencial considerar la integridad estructural del edificio o sitio, la autenticidad de los materiales utilizados en la restauración, y la coherencia estilística con la época original. También se deben tener en cuenta aspectos como la accesibilidad y la seguridad para garantizar que la preservación cumpla con los estándares contemporáneos sin comprometer la autenticidad histórica.