Approaching Architectural Conservation of Built Environment-Through Determining Values, Defining Ethics, Maintaining Authenticity, Ensuring Integrity
Approaching Architectural Conservation of Built Environment-
Through Determining Values, Defining Ethics, Maintaining Authenticity and Ensuring Integrity
*Jit Kumar Gupta
Planning, designing and construction of buildings, in terms of its footprints, height and volume, have always been evolving, devolving, never static and never finite. The ever changing typology of buildings has been led by the materials available, specific needs of human living , available construction technologies, innovations made in the area of the structure; relevance of aesthetics and structural safety. Accordingly, buildings reflect and represent the art ,architecture and culture of the era, and remain unique and distinct to humanity , community and climate of the specific area/ region, in which they were created.
Considering the entire context of built environment, preserving and conserving the state of art and unique buildings; have been valued by communities, states and nations and has assumed importance, both locally and globally, for the reason such buildings have been recognized to be valuable resource for bridging the gap & linking past with present. However, enormous increase in human numbers; uncontrolled expansion of the human settlements ; rapid urbanization, commercialization of land, unplanned, haphazard and unregulated growth and development are known to adversely impact and pose greatest threat to the valuable heritage. This has led to large volume of valuable built environment lost in the haze of human greed, unplanned growth and development. Efforts are now being made to rationalize and redefine the process of planning and development so that these spaces don’t lose their originality, importance, sanctity and inherent values, making cities lose its identity.
It needs to understood and appreciated that development within the historic environment is known for its complexity and challenges. Rational development in the areas of historical importance needs expertise and understanding of large number of components which inter-alia includes, historic landscape, geomatics, architectural legislation, evaluating heritage, historic environment constraints and relevant planning conditions, for assessing their potential impact on a project in order to create a balance between heritage and development. Historic structures remain unique and universal resources of humanity and community. Once lost, heritage cannot be replaced and replicated .If their special qualities are degraded, these can rarely be recaptured.
Definitions
Conservation, as a process, has emerged as a valuable tool and option in the domain of development, for caring about historical buildings/places and managing change, in such a way so as to retain their basic character and special interest. Considering wider connotations, conservation has been defined, differently and distinctly, by various agencies, authors, researchers, experts and organisations engaged in the art and science of retaining the sanctity of the valuable heritage, in terms of;
· Conservation; means the processes through which material, design and integrity of the monument is safeguarded in terms of its archaeological and architectural value, its historic significance and its cultural or intangible associations. (The Archaeological Survey of India)
· Conservation; means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance(Burra Charter)
· Conservation, as a process focuses on protection and care of heritage and includes preventive conservation, examination, documentation, research, treatment, and education.
· Conservation; of cultural property involves protection and restoration using "any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible, for as long as possible.
· “Conservation” means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its historical and/or architectural and/or aesthetic and/or cultural significance and includes maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adoption or a combination of more than one of these.
Looking intrinsically on the above definitions, it can be observed that heritage conservation has wide connotations and deals with actions or processes that are aimed at safeguarding the character-defining elements 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. Instead, it seeks to maintain and thereby increase the value of buildings by keeping their original built form and architectural elements, favouring their restoration over replacement or demolition and, when restoration is not possible, respectfully recreating scale, period and character.
Conservation of cultural built heritage involves collection care and management through tracking, examination, documentation, preventative conservation, and restoration. However, the scope has widened from the protection and care of architecture to conservation of cultural heritage including protection and care of a broad set of other cultural and historical values such as cultural landscapes and movable heritage. Conservation of cultural heritage, as a distinct field of study, was initially developed in Germany, where in 1888 Friedrich Rathgen became the first chemist to be employed by a Museum, the Koniglichen Museen, Berlin (Royal Museums of Berlin), who is credited with not only developing a scientific approach to the care of objects in the collections, but also disseminating this approach by publishing a Handbook of Conservation in 1898. However, it needs to be understood and appreciated that conservation remains different and distinct from the processes of Preservation, Restoration and Reconstruction. While “Preservation”, means and includes maintaining the fabric of a place in its existing state and retarding deterioration; the scope and ambit of “Restoration” includes returning the existing fabric of a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without introducing new materials. On the other hand, “Reconstruction” means returning a place as nearly as possible to a known earlier state and distinguished by the introduction of materials (new or old) into the fabric. This don’t not include either recreation or conjectural reconstruction. Looking at the above the process of conservation is more holistic and inclusive as compared to other processes of preservation, reconstruction and restoration.
Conservation Principles
Looking at the entire operational domain it can be seen that, Conservation remains a double edged weapon, if not welded properly, rationally, objectively and scientifically. Conservation, as a process and approach, has the capacity, capability to promote both positivity and negativity in the quality of the heritage being protected, and accordingly needs to be wielded with care and caution. Any damage caused to the character of a historic structure in the name of restoration, by over-attention or by neglect, remains irreversible. Over-restoration can harm the special qualities of a building with the loss of details, materials and craftsmanship which, while sometimes, appearing to be of little significance in themselves, but can adversely impact the basic character of the building which make it special. For these reasons, it is important that detailed guidelines, principles and operational norms are detailed, defined, and specified, to regulate the development process/works, both major and minor, related to protecting structures of historical values, so that the inherent value and unique character of the heritage is not lost or diluted perpetually.
Before permitting/undertaking conservation of any area/structure, it will be critical that ground rules and detailed guidelines are put in place so that conservation and development carried out in the heritage areas remains within the defined framework and the objectives of retaining the basic character of the area. Putting in place and defining detailed guidelines for heritage conservation and development, primarily addresses issues related to; identifying structures / features of structures of special interest of an Architectural Conservation Area besides helping in evaluating proposals with regard to meeting defined development objectives and assessing the potential effects of the proposed changes/development on the character of a protected structure and/or the character of the area. Accordingly, conservation guidelines have to be framed with care and caution.
The guidelines framed for conservation of the heritage should invariably include and involve;
· Making Value addition to the heritage being conserved, besides promoting authenticity and retaining the basic character and fabric of the heritage area proposed to be protected, promoted and developed.
· Eliminating any possibility of Negativity in the heritage by creating options for improving the safety, usability and the context of the heritage building in the changed circumstances.
· Avoiding Freezing Heritage Structure; instead allow it to be used for the overall advantage and benefit of the community and place.
· Promote Good Conservation Practices; which will empower the structure to evolve, devolve and adapt to meet changing needs while retaining its particular significance besides ensuring that the heritage is not damaged by inappropriate intervention.
· Permitting Additions, Alterations; and other interventions made in the course of development, which will ensure that changes made remain sympathetic and supportive to the earlier structure and its quality, and shall not cause any dilution or damage to the fabric of the structure, whether in the long or short term.
· Ensure no over-restoration; or poorly specified replacement elements made during the process of conservation, which will pose threat/willful damage to the character of historic structures.
Approach to Conservation: Based on above principles and processes guiding the development; conservation and development of the heritage areas should essentially revolve around;
· Keeping Building in active Use; Best option for conserving a historic building is to keep it in active use and find appropriate solution, which will allow it to adapt to a new use, without unacceptable damage to its character and special interest. Retaining original use ,for which a structure was built, will be the most appropriate and logical option. While redefining the protected structure to meet the requirements of modern living, it is important that the special character of the structure should be valued, retained and never sacrificed.
· Promoting Research and Analysis; All conservation proposals should invariably be led by thorough and detailed research and analysis of historical development and understanding the present condition of the structure. The research should not be limited merely to studying and analyzing the main structure and its interior ,but should also include and extend to studying and analyzing the objectives and issues relevant to structures or features which contribute to the protected structure and physical fabric of the site, and any available documentary or other evidence, for understanding the reasons and extent of any decay and damage, which would help in creating future proposals for restoring the heritage buildings.
· Using Expert Conservation Advice; Building conservation is a specialized discipline and the method of restoration work needs to be specified by experts with a knowledge , expertise, understanding and experience of the context, fabric and relevance of historic buildings. Planning authorities, when discussing/evaluating proposals with the owners or occupiers of protected structures, should encourage them to seek expert’s advice when considering undertaking works to their buildings. Where a protected structure is of particularly high quality or rarity, engaging of conservation expertise, should invariably be made a pre-condition before grant of any planning permission/undertaking conservation. The input of expert advice should not be confined merely to the preparing planning application and its processing but should be extended to entire time span of the conservation project, in order to ensure that the conservation works are competently and correctly completed. using experienced and skilled workers with proper and adequate supervision. In order to deal with all the issues related to the heritage conservation and development, rationally, objectively and realistically, all Planning authorities should invariably have in-house support of conservation staff or services of independent quality consultants, to assess, analyze, specify, define, aid, advise and assist in all matters related to heritage conservation and assessing/quantifying likely impact/implications of the proposed development on the protected structure and the urban settlements.
· Protecting the Special Interest - The character and special interest of a protected structure can suffer irreversible damaged by inappropriate conservation. In majority of cases unscientific conservation can lead to demolishing wholly/ partly. It can also lead to stripping of its value and distinctiveness by neglect and decay, unsuitable alteration, uninformed repair or over-restoration. Since all buildings remain different and distinct, having specific requirements of intervention, accordingly, application of standard solutions to historic buildings will not only be appropriate but also irrational. Old buildings are known for their unique qualities in terms of handmade building materials and dedicated craftsmanship which are no longer achievable today. Materials, such as; particular type of stone, may no longer be obtainable. Above all, historic buildings have a patina of age which is irreplaceable and cannot be replicated. Accordingly , conservation guidelines must provide options to deal with such cases in a manner, that it does not impact the quality and fabric of heritage structure.
· Promoting Minimum Intervention ;The principle of promoting minimum intervention in a protected structure is best summed up by the maxim ‘do as much as necessary and as little as possible’. Large scale interventions in a protected structure remain most appropriate. Best options in heritage conservation are often which are low key and which involve least work and minimum cost. While undertaking conservation, authority must satisfy that proposed works of additions/alterations are necessary and will not adversely impact the fabric and structure of the building.
· Respecting Earlier Alterations of Interest ; Additions and alterations remain integral part of any building and are known to define the social and architectural history of the built heritage. Addition of porches and balconies, can say much about changing fashions in architectural design and social aspiration, as can alterations or embellishments such as the addition of window and door surrounds or dormer windows. For maintaining the integrity and sanctity of a structure, it is important to respect the contribution made at different stages of its historical development and should be seen and valued as integral part of the unique history of that building. New alterations made to the building should invariably and essentially respect their contextuality design and specification. In times, such interventions will also contribute to the history of the structure.
· Valuing Repairing Rather than Replacing ; Aim and focus of any good conservation practice should be to preserve the authentic fabric which contributes to the special interest of the structure. Good repair invariably helps in arresting the process of decay of a structure and prolong its life without damaging its basic and inherent character and elements of special interest. Where a damaged or deteriorated feature could reasonably be repaired, its replacement should not be permitted. Many historic structures date from a time when the majority of building materials were wrought by hand. These materials have a variety and vitality that cannot be matched by machine-made materials. The unnecessary replacement of historic fabric, no matter how carefully the work is carried out, will have an adverse effect on the character of a building or monument, seriously diminish its authenticity and will significantly reduce its value as a source of historical information. Replacing original or earlier elements of a building with modern replicas only serves to falsify the historical evidence of the building and should be discounted and discouraged in the parlance of conservation.
· Promoting Honesty of Repairs and Alterations; Honesty of purpose and honesty of repair and alterations, should be made integral part of process used for promoting good conservation practices. Undertaking any repairs to a protected building or structure should generally be carried out without making any attempt to disguise or artificial ageing. Any good repair, carried out with skill, leaves an interesting record of works done. Deliberately obscuring alterations confuses the historical record of the building. Any repairs made should not detract the visual integrity of the structure. Where elements are not capable of repair, the new work should accurately reproduce the detail of the original. Effort should be made that entire section should not be replaced if only a part is damaged.
· Using Appropriate Materials and Methods; Only appropriate materials and methods should be used in works to a protected structure. The use of modern materials and techniques should only be permitted where their appropriateness is supported by firm scientific evidence or where they have proved themselves, over a sufficient period and where traditional alternatives cannot be sourced. Materials to be used and details /specifications for works to be adopted, should be considered and evaluated carefully, prior to the commencement of any development works.
· Ensuring Reversibility of Alterations ; Reversible, or substantially reversible processes should always be preferred while making any additions and alterations to the heritage buildings, due to inherent advantage such processes provide in term of allowing for the future correction of unforeseen problems, whenever any need arises, without lasting damage being caused to the architectural heritage. Filling structural voids with concrete would be an irreversible process while a loose fill could easily be removed at a later stage. Similarly, scribing new partitions around an existing cornice or skirting allows for the earlier work to remain intact, possibly to be re-exposed at a future time. Despite the fact that reversibility is an important conservation principle but should not be used/misused to justify inappropriate interventions.
· Avoiding Incremental Damage; While making changes, the cumulative impact of such changes on fabric and structure of building/ area must be viewed holistically. This principle can apply to a street or area where a precedent becomes established for the removal of architectural features or the addition of extensions. It can sometimes be difficult to refuse permission for minor works, but a point may be reached when the combined impact of all the small alterations will be considerable and detract substantially from the architectural quality and character of the building or of an area.
· Discouraging the Use of Architectural Salvage from Other Buildings; The use of architectural salvage from other historic buildings in restoring the historic/ protected structures, should invariably be prohibited and not encouraged for the simple reasons that re-use of architectural features from elsewhere can confuse the understanding and appreciation of a building, casting doubt on the authenticity of even the untouched parts of the fabric. In addition, it can lead to creating a market for salvaged building materials promoting the dismantling of other old buildings, and sourcing elements from a heritage building for reuse elsewhere. Promoting the use of newly produced materials including stone or wrought iron could help to keep them in production and encourage the revival of the craftsmanship associated with these materials. In special and specific cases, where suitable traditional materials are no longer in production and their production cannot be revived, in such exceptional cases, the use of salvaged materials may be appropriate after ascertaining their appropriateness.
· Complying with the Building Regulations; The Building Regulations remain vital and critical and are invariably designed to secure the health and safety of people in and around buildings and are backed up by relevant technical studies/documents which give guidance regarding compliance. With limited number of exemptions/exceptions, these regulations coverand apply to all works involving new construction, extensions to buildings, material alterations to existing buildings and material change of use of such buildings. Considering the specialized nature of buildings and work related to additions/alterations to be undertaken in heritage buildings, different guidelines/provisions have to be included in the said building regulations. Besides including the principles detailed and defined above; Regulations should invariably include matters related to;
§ Structure
§ Fire Safety
§ Conservation of Fuel and Energy
§ Access for People with Disabilities.
Adherence to codes, standards or technical specifications, intended for application to new work may be unduly restrictive or impracticable. In the interest of conserving the character of buildings of outstanding architectural and historical importance, works such as the replacement of doors, windows , provision of insulated dry-lining and damp-proofing to walls and basements, provision of roof vents and ducting of pipework which affect the character of the structure, need to be carefully evaluated before permitting them in buildings. Considering the sensitive and specific nature of work; appropriate provision should be made in the Building Regulations, for granting relaxation/exemptions in relation to specific works or materials, where the case for such dispensation or relaxation is found to be appropriate and accepted by the authority.
Ethics of conservation
While undertaking conservation work for any heritage building or project, following standard of ethics/guidelines must be rigorously observed :
· Interventions made must be minimum and necessary.
· Opting for appropriate materials and reversible methods;
· Undertaking full documentation of all work undertaken:
· Treating heritage fabric carefully;
· Making judicious decisions about heritage fabric;
· Allowing every new installation to be reversible.
· Holistically recording condition of the building before any intervention.
· Eliminating chances of historic evidence being destroyed, falsified or removed
· All intervention governed by principles of respect for the aesthetic, maintaining historical and physical integrity of cultural property.
· Documenting methods and materials used during treatment
In addition to above, any proposed interventions should be ;
· reversible or repeatable, if technically possible,
· not prejudice a future intervention whenever this may become necessary;
· not hindering the possibility of later access to all evidence incorporated
· retaining the maximum amount of existing material
· achieving harmony in colour, tone, texture, form and scale,
· all conservation process remains different, distinct and unique requiring specific solutions.
Benefits of Conservation
Heritage Conservation, as a process is known for its capacity and distinct advantages, in terms of provides numerous benefits to property owners, businesses, developers and to the community as a whole. This positivity can be enumerated in terms of;
• Increasing Property Values; Heritage conservation tends to increases property values – both of the restored building &surrounding properties.
• Promoting Tourism; Heritage conservation adds to the tourism potential and helps businesses attract customers.
• Creating Identity; Conservation empowers communities/cities to build their own image/identity around retained historical elements, adding to their economy and generating employment.
• Promoting self-sufficiency; Conservation keeps money within the community by requiring fewer materials from outside and creating more labour-intensive work by local trades.
• Sourcing Incentives; With the right programs in place, businesses and building owners can take advantage of government programs and incentives to maintain and restore heritage buildings
• Reduction in Waste; Conservation reduces construction and demolition waste and uses less than half the energy of new construction and accordingly promotes sustainability in built environment.
• Increasing Investment; Heritage conservation results in increased investment making value addition by rewarding communities not only in the present but also creating invaluable resources for future generations.
· Creating distinct Urban Character; Besides making value addition, heritage conservation gives distinctive character to urban environment