Building Conservation Philosophy

• Main Author: Earl, John 1928- (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon, Oxon Routledge 2015
• Edition: Third Edition
• Subjects: Architecture > Conservation and restoration; Architecture > Conservation and restoration > Philosophy; Architecture > Conservation and restoration > Great Britain
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.
• Item Description: Previous ed.: Reading : College of Estate Management, 1997
• Physical Description: xiii, 230 pages illustrations, maps, ports 26 cm
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages 218-222) and index
• ISBN: 9781873394564

This is a book about ideas rather than techniques. Public thirst for visible evidence of the past is not, as it is often represented, a recent phenomenon. It was already well developed when an overseer of ancient monuments was appointed in sixth-century Rome. But if the desire to preserve aspects of the past is to do more than respond to popular whims and fashions or represent the personal views of ivory-towered scholars and specialists, it needs to have some kind of solid logical basis. Philosophical questions are raised at every turn. On what basis can buildings be singled out as "historic buildings", demanding special protection? On what authority can we justify interfering with private property rights in pursuing such protective processes? And how should we judge what is acceptable and unacceptable in the treatment of the buildings we value? In this third, substantially revised edition, the author examines the nature of monuments and the varied motives for preserving them. He traces the history of movements to preserve old buildings and the furious conflicts that have frequently surrounded restoration campaigns. Philosophical problems arising in modern conservation practice, including such controversial issues as "skin-deep preservation" and the use of substitute materials, are considered in detail. More space is devoted in this edition to contextual issues.Â