Conservation ChartersUnit 1 Principles of Conservation

Conservation - early development

Mid 19th Century – John Ruskin writes ‘The seven lamps of architecture’ – introduces the idea of guardianship ;

"...it is again no question of expediency or feeling whether we shall preserve the buildings of past times or not. We have no right whatever to touch them. They are not ours. They belong partly to those who built them, and partly to all the generations of mankind who are to follow us”

Seven Lamps, 1849

He made a definitive distinction between repair and

Restoration, and was strongly anti – restoration.

Conservation - early development

1877 – Ruskin and William Morris founded SPAB – the Society for the

protection of Ancient Buildings as a response to speculative restoration or

vandalism as Morris described it. Borne out of a loose collective known as the

anti Scrape Movement prior to 1877.

In 1896 The National Trust is founded and adopts the SPAB approach

of conservative repair.

SPAB is active in fighting ‘restoration’ both at home

and internationally.

Conservation Charters

What is a Charter ?

• A statement of intent, guidance and vision of principles.

• They are ‘high level’ documents which need to be synthesised for everyday application.

Conservation Charters

• UNESCO• Council of Europe

• ICOMOS• Stirling Charter

UNESCO

• United Nation’s Educational & Scientific Organisation ( UNESCO)

• Founded 1945 from the League of Nations• Intergovernmental• Controlled by a general assembly• Influence conservation through conventions &

accepted by member states.

Council Of Europe

• To promote European unity• Founded 1949• Within the heritage sector it seeks to foster

heritage protection.• Membership of 32 EC and other non member

countries

ICOMOS

• International Council on Monuments & Sites• Founded 1965 in Warsaw• 14 International committees• Statutory responsibility to advise UNESCO

• International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (The Venice Charter) - 1964

• The Florence Charter (Historic gardens and landscapes) - 1981

• Charter on the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas - 1987

• Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage - 1990

• Charter for the Protection and Management of the Underwater Cultural Heritage - 1996

• International Charter on Cultural Tourism - 1999

• Principles for the Preservation of Historic Timber Structures - 1999• Charter on the Built Vernacular heritage - 1999

• ICOMOS Charter – principles for the analysis, conservation and structural restoration of architectural heritage - 2003

• ICOMOS Principles for the Preservation and Conservation-Restoration of Wall Paintings - 2003

ICOMOS Charters

Stirling Charter

• Founded 2000• 6 main Articles• Based on the Scottish Built Heritage• Works closely with BS 7913

Articles of the Stirling Charter

Article 5

Article 6

Article 6

Further information

• Historic Scotland Tan 8 Guide to International Conservation Charters

• understandingconservation.com• Individual Charters web sites• SPAB• The Stirling Charter• SHEP 1