Nowadays one can act on the assumption that in developed countries people have in general an idea of the meaning of conservation even though it is a highly complex field. Historic Conservation deals with the cultural heritage of all humankind. „The Concept of a historic monument embraces not only the single architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the evidence of a particular civilization, a significant development or historic event“ (Venice Charter, 1964). To be engaged with historic buildings always comes with the wide spectrum of conservation activities such as restoration, preservation, repair, renovation, refurbishment and facadism. It is a challenge to find the right solution given that each building or area has its own character and value and therefore will need different reflection and an individual treatment.
People working in conservation are always confronted with the need for those unique solutions. However there rarely will be answers, rules or definitions. Nonetheless, within the time and as a result of conflicts during the 19th Century the philosophy of conservation and its guidelines have been formed.
Contents
I Introduction
1. Development of the Philosophy of Conservation (in the U.K.)
1.1 The Gothic Revival and Restoration: Wyatt, Viollet-le-duc and Scott
1.2 The Change - Pugin and Ruskin
1.3 The Establishment of Todays Conservation Philosophy: Morris, SPAB and the Venice Charter
2. Conservation Philosophy Today
2.1 The Conservation Principles in England today
2.2 Significance and the Influence of SPAB
3. Case Study: Oberbaum-City, Berlin
3.1 Location and Brief History
3.2 Restoration
3.3 Statement
4. Conclusion
II Reference List
I Introduction
Nowadays one can act on the assumption that in developed countries people have in general an idea of the meaning of conservation even though it is a highly complex field. Historic Conservation deals with the cultural heritage of all humankind. „The Concept of a historic monument embraces not only the single architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the evidence of a particular civilization, a significant development or historic event“ (Venice Charter, 1964). To be engaged with historic buildings always comes with the wide spectrum of conservation activities such as restoration, preservation, repair, renovation, refurbishment and facadism. It is a challenge to find the right solution given that each building or area has its own character and value and therefore will need different reflection and an individual treatment.
People working in conservation are always confronted with the need for those unique solutions. However there rarely will be answers, rules or definitions. Nonetheless, within the time and as a result of conflicts during the 19th Century the philosophy of conservation and its guidelines have been formed.
1. Development of the Philosophy of Conservation (in the U.K.)
Conservation has always been influenced by historical circumstances. There were two oppositional generations of conservation thought in the 19th Century each with few primary representatives. In the beginning of that century Wyatt and Viollet-le-Duc renovated buildings on a big scale partially with mandatory interventions (Earl, 1996). The change came with Scott, who had several good ideas about the way how restoration should work but he did not practice them. The final change however was established by Ruskin and Morris, who founded Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). The Manifesto of SPAB was written by Morris and published in 1877. All documents and guidelines on conservation after that were built on that Manifesto.
1.1 The Gothic Revival and Restoration: Wyatt, Viollet-le-duc and Scott
In the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth Century the Gothic experienced a revival. Amongst other things this revival occurred because of the big demand of new churches. It was not only cheaper to build Gothic churches but also quicker (Thomas, 2012). Additionally the interest in medieval building revived. James Wyatt (1746 -1813) was primary restorer and later even surveyor of Westminster Abbey. He was educated in classicism which means that his aesthetic approach was the unity of design. However that does not combine with the Gothic Style. So „apart from structural and functional improvements, Wyatt [...] generally aimed at the unification of the whole internal space by removing any hindering obstacles; as a result screens and fonts were removed, chapels were opened“ (Jokilehto, 1996, p.236). When Wyatt restored a building it usually meant significant and harmful alteration.
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) was like Wyatt in England the primary architect and restorer in France. –Viollet-le-Duc believed that if you studied architecture of the gothic cathedrals accurately, their architectural details and means of building, he could accurately rebuild entire parts of the building (Thomas, 2012). He said: “to restore an edifice means neither to maintain it, nor to repair it nor to rebuild it, it means to re-establish it in a state of completion which may never have existed at any given moment in the past” (Vinegar, 1998). Those heavily harmful interventions by Wyatt and Viollet-le-Duc resulted in the loss of authenticity and the confusion of Architectural design and historical evidence. This repair theory is known as the Scrape Movement.
Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) was a prolific architect and an expert investigator of old buildings. He saw himself as a conservationist that demanded the strengthening of buildings first and only repairs if necessary. Also he was against scraping of plasterwork and advocated for the use of original material if alterations were inevitable (Erder, 1986). This might be taken as a change of the philosophy of conservation – however Scott ignored his own principles on many buildings during his career.
1.2 The Change - Pugin and Ruskin
The destructive nature of the restoration work of Wyatt forced the formation of the oppositional conservation movement headed by Ruskin and Pugin. Pugin named Wyatt ‚the destroyer‘ and Ruskin saw Wyatt’s work as „insensitive and unnecessarily deconstructive“ (Earl, 1996, p. 38). Ruskin (1819 -1900) along with others such as Carter and Webb had a rather different view on how to restore historical buildings. In 1849 Ruskin gave this movement a voice by writing an article in The Seven Lamps of Architecture in which he attacked the dishonest and false restoration: „[restoration] means the most total destruction which a building can suffer ... that spirit [...] can never be recalled“ (Erder, 1986, p. 172). For Ruskin even the word ‚restoration‘ always had a negative connotation. He saw no difference between the restoration and the abandonment of a building; to him both were synonymous to demolition (Erder, 1986, p. 172).
1.3 The Establishment of Todays Conservation Philosophy: Morris, SPAB and the Venice Charter
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of the text?
The text focuses on the development of conservation philosophy, particularly in the U.K., tracing its evolution from destructive restoration practices to a more preservation-oriented approach.
Who were some of the key figures involved in the development of conservation philosophy?
Key figures mentioned include James Wyatt, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Sir George Gilbert Scott, Pugin, Ruskin, and Morris. Wyatt and Viollet-le-Duc represent earlier, more interventionist approaches, while Ruskin and Morris championed preservation.
What were the different approaches to conservation in the 19th century?
Initially, figures like Wyatt and Viollet-le-Duc favored large-scale renovations with significant alterations. This approach, known as the Scrape Movement, prioritized aesthetic unity over historical accuracy. Later, individuals like Ruskin and Morris advocated for minimal intervention and the preservation of original materials and features.
What is the significance of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)?
SPAB, founded by Morris, played a crucial role in establishing modern conservation philosophy. The Manifesto of SPAB, written by Morris, became a foundational document for subsequent conservation guidelines.
What are some of the conservation activities mentioned in the text?
The text lists restoration, preservation, repair, renovation, refurbishment, and facadism as activities related to historic building conservation.
What is the Venice Charter?
The Venice Charter (1964) is referenced as a document acknowledging that the concept of a historic monument includes not only the single architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which it is found.
What does the text say about authenticity in restoration?
The text highlights that interventions by Wyatt and Viollet-le-Duc resulted in the loss of authenticity and confusion of Architectural design and historical evidence.
What is Oberbaum-City, Berlin, and how is it relevant to the topic?
Oberbaum-City, Berlin is mentioned as a case study related to restoration. While details are limited in this excerpt, its inclusion suggests it serves as an example to illustrate conservation principles.
What was Ruskin's view on restoration?
Ruskin viewed restoration negatively, considering it a form of destruction that could never recreate the original spirit of a building. He equated restoration with demolition.
How did Pugin view Wyatt's work?
Pugin viewed Wyatt's restoration work as destructive, referring to him as 'the destroyer'.
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- Daniela Brose (Author), 2012, History of Conservation Philosophy in the U.K. since the 19th Century, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203981
