WASHALLA JOSEPHINE M.
B02/45386/2017
BAR 309
ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION
ASSIGNMENT 1.
1.Discuss the reasons which led to the drafting of the Venice charter.
There was need to preserve structure from different times in history. This is so it could be easy to
identify one phase of construction from another. The monuments needed to be ageless and to
reflect a story of man in the community.
Group of architects felt the need to preserve history as in some countries as there was very little to
tell from their historic monuments for example India whose oldest monuments is dated 1904.
They needed to restore and conserve monuments that they be maintained on a permanent basis.
There was a need to establish national legislation to preserve the historic monuments and place
the historic site under protection and reviewed with knowledgeable criticism.
There was need to establish organizations for restoration advice.
They wanted to propose the idea of a common world heritage the vitality of the setting of the
monuments and the principle of the composition of new materials and modern techniques.
2. Highlight the importance of this charter to the architectural conservation practice.
The Venice charter has been the benchmark for principles governing architectural conservation since
it was agreed on. It has become a major reference for both national administrators and at the
international level.
The conservation of historic monuments has provided an avenue not only for safeguarding heritage
but also for study with recourse to science and techniques for architects; who reapply such in new
buildings helping to further safeguard architectural heritage.
The Venice charter protects all monuments which bear witness to the history at its time. Protection of
such monuments has been handy in tracking down the different architectural styles over years and the
dynamic changes in architecture.
Article 16 of the Venice charter states that ‘in all works of preservation, restoration or excavation,
there should always be precise documentation in the form of analytical and critical reports, illustrated
with drawings and photographs…’ the recordings should further be published and placed in archives of a
public institution. Its availability has made it possible for research workers.
The Venice charter has aided in training of architects on correct disciplines of conservation. Architects
and other personnel of the built environment are trained at various learning levels how, why and the
importance of conservation of monuments. This has boosted the architectural conservation practice.
3. List and discuss importance of the 3 key thresholds of documentation set by the Venice charter on
conservation.
Article 5
The conservation of monuments is always facilitated by making use of them for some socially useful
purpose. Such use is therefore desirable but it must not change the lay-out or decoration of the building.
It is within these limits only that modification demanded by a change of function should be envisaged
and may be permitted.
Monuments can be reused for different social functions without tampering with its layout and
decoration. For example how the Roman Colosseum is used as a museum and millions travel for all over
the world to be able to experience its feel. Its general structure has not been altered despite some parts
of it falling apart. A few repairs to deal with structure but the decoration and general build still remains
the same. This helps preserve its historical value as people want to experience the real thing and not a
refurbished version of the colosseum.
Article 6.
The conservation of a monument implies preserving a setting which is not out of scale. Wherever the
traditional setting exists, it must be kept. No new construction, demolition or modification which would
alter the relations of mass and color must be allowed.
No new construction, demolition or modification ensured that the monument maintains its integrity and
originality and thus this preserves the correct historical information of the monument. By altering even
its mass or colour changes the general make of the monument, and a modified version of it is unoriginal
and loses its historical value completely.
Article 7.
A monument is inseparable from the history to which it bears witness and from the setting in which it
occurs. The moving of all or part of a monument cannot be allowed except where the safeguarding of
the monument demands it or where it is justified by national or international interest of paramount
importance.
This is with respect to parts of a monument or a piece of historical artefact being moved from its original
site where it was found to a safer place where the public can have equal chance to view it and cannot be
stolen and sold for personal gain by crooks. For example, the Derringer gun that was used in Abraham
Lincoln’s Assassination being kept by the National Park Service at Ford’s Theatre National historic site.
Article 8.
Items of sculpture, painting or decoration which form an integral part of a monument may only be
removed from it if this is the sole means of ensuring their preservation.
The importance of this was to make sure that the paintings and sculptures would be well cared for so as
to stand the test of time. Sculptures and paintings could only be moved in justified situations, so long as
by moving it, it guarantees its preservation for a very long time to come.
