An Introduction to Architectural Conservation

Chapter 2The Underlying Principles of Conservation

Historic buildings and building fabric can as easily be lost through ill-considered alteration and over-zealous restoration, as through demolition. In almost all cases, it is a loss which cannot be reversed. Over-restoration can easily destroy the character and interest of a building by replacing so much material that it becomes a parody of the original, whilst insensitive alterations and additions can destroy the scale and design integrity of the original building.

When working on historic buildings it is often a challenge to know when to stop, or how much to replace. This raises questions as to whether it is better to repair using alien or novel materials, how much should be done with new ...