The document discusses strategies for architectural conservation, emphasizing the need to balance development with the preservation of historical buildings and sites. It highlights various definitions and principles of conservation, stressing the importance of retaining the character and integrity of heritage structures while allowing for necessary changes. The document also outlines guidelines for effective conservation practices, including minimal intervention, using appropriate materials, and ensuring reversibility of alterations.

1. Strategies and Options for Architectural Conservation in the
Context of Values , Ethics, Authenticity and Integrity
*Jit Kumar Gupta
jit.kumar1944@gmail.com
Context
Planning, designing and construction of buildings, in terms of its footprints, height and
volume, have always been evolving, devolving, never static and never finite. The ever
changing typology of buildings was led by the materials available, specific needs of
human living , available construction technologies, innovations made in the area of the
structure; relevance of aesthetics and structural safety. Accordingly, buildings reflect
and represent the art ,architecture and culture of the era, and remain unique and
distinct to humanity , community and climate of the specific area/ region, in which they
were created.Considering the entire context of built environment, preserving and
conserving the state of art and unique buildings; have been valued by communities,
states and nations and has assumed importance, both locally and globally, for the
reason such buildings have been recognized to be valuable resource for bridging the
gap & linking past with present. However, enormous increase in human numbers;
uncontrolled expansion of the human settlements ; rapid urbanization, unplanned,
haphazard and unregulated growth and development are known to adversely impact
and pose greatest threat to the valuable heritage. This has led to large volume of
valuable built environment lost in the haze of unplanned growth and development.
Efforts are now being made to rationalize and redefine the process of development so
that these spaces don’t lose their originality, importance, sanctity and inherent values,
making cities lose its identity.
It needs to understood and appreciated that development within the historic
environment is known for its complexity and challenges. Rational development in the
areas of historical importance needs expertise and understanding of large number of
components which inter-alia includes, historic landscape, geomatics, architectural
legislation, evaluating heritage, historic environment constraints and relevant planning
conditions, for assessing their potential impact on a project in order to create a balance
between heritage and development. Historic structures remain unique and universal
resources of humanity and community. Once lost, they cannot be replaced and
replicated . If their special qualities are degraded, these can rarely be recaptured.

2. Definitions
Conservation, as a process, has emerged as a valuable tool and option in the domain
of development, for caring about historical buildings/places and managing change, in
such a way so as to retain their basic character and special interest. Considering wider
connotations, conservation has been defined differently and distinctly by various
agencies, authors and organisations engaged in retaining the sanctity of the valuable
heritage, in terms of
 Conservation; means the processes through which material, design and
integrity of the monument is safeguarded in terms of its archaeological and
architectural value, its historic significance and its cultural or intangible
associations. (The Archaeological Survey of India)
 Conservation; means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its
cultural significance(Burra Charter)
 Conservation, as a process focuses on protection and care of heritage and
includes preventive conservation, examination, documentation, research,
treatment, and education.
 Conservation; of cultural property involves protection and restoration using "any
methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original
condition as possible for as long as possible.
 “Conservation” means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain
its historical and/or architectural and/or aesthetic and/or cultural significance and
includes maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adoption or a
combination of more than one of these.
Looking intrinsically on the above definitions, it can be observed that heritage
conservation has wide connotations and deals with actions or processes that are aimed
at safeguarding the character-defining elements of a cultural resource so as to retain its
heritage value and extend its physical life. Heritage conservation doesn’t mean freezing
a building in time, creating a museum or tying the hands of property owners so they
can’t do anything with their properties. Instead, it seeks to maintain and thereby
increase the value of buildings by keeping their original built form and architectural
elements, favouring their restoration over replacement or demolition and, when
restoration is not possible, respectfully recreating scale, period and character.
Conservation of cultural built heritage involves collection care and management
through tracking, examination, documentation, preventative conservation, and
restoration. However, the scope has widened from the protection and care of
architecture to conservation of cultural heritage including protection and care of a broad
set of other cultural and historical values such as cultural landscapes and movable

3. heritage. Conservation of cultural heritage, as a distinct field of study, was initially
developed in Germany, where in 1888 Friedrich Rathgen became the first chemist to be
employed by a Museum, the Konilichen Museen, Berlin (Royal Museums of Berlin), who
is credited with not only developing a scientific approach to the care of objects in the
collections, but also disseminating this approach by publishing a Handbook of
Conservation in 1898.However, it needs to be understood and appreciated that
conservation remains different and distinct from the processes of Preservation,
Restoration and Reconstruction. While “Preservation”, means and includes maintaining
the fabric of a place in its existing state and retarding deterioration; the scope and ambit
of “Restoration” includes returning the existing fabric of a place to a known earlier state
by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without introducing
new materials. On the other hand, “Reconstruction” means returning a place as nearly
as possible to a known earlier state and distinguished by the introduction of materials
(new or old) into the fabric. This don’t not include either recreation or conjectural
reconstruction. Looking at the above the process of conservation is more holistic and
inclusive as compared to other processes of preservation, reconstruction and
restoration.
Conservation Principles
Looking at the entire operational domain it can be seen that, Conservation remains a
double edged weapon, if not welded properly, rationally, objectively and scientifically.
Conservation, as a process and approach, has the capacity, capability to promote both
positivity and negativity in the quality of the heritage being protected, and accordingly
needs to be wielded with care and caution. Any damage caused to the character of a
historic structure in the name of restoration, by over-attention or by neglect, remains
irreversible. Over-restoration can harm the special qualities of a building with the loss of
details, materials and craftsmanship which, while sometimes, appearing to be of little
significance in themselves, but can adversely impact the basic character of the
building which make it special. For these reasons, it is important that detailed
guidelines, principles and operational norms are detailed, defined, and specified, to
regulate the development process/works, both major and minor, related to protecting
structures of historical values, so that the inherent value and unique character of the
heritage is not lost or diluted perpetually.
Before permitting/undertaking conservation of any area/structure, it will be critical that
ground rules and detailed guidelines are put in place so that conservation and
development carried out in the heritage areas remains within the defined framework
and the objectives of retaining the basic character of the area. Putting in place and
defining detailed guidelines for heritage conservation and development, primarily
addresses issues related to; identifying structures / features of structures of special
interest of an Architectural Conservation Area besides helping in evaluating proposals

4. with regard to meeting defined development objectives and assessing the potential
effects of the proposed changes/development on the character of a protected structure
and/or the character of the area. Accordingly, conservation guidelines have to be
framed with care and caution.
The guidelines framed for conservation of the heritage should invariably include and
involve;
 Making Value addition to the heritage being conserved, besides
promoting authenticity and retaining the basic character and fabric of the
heritage area proposed to be protected, promoted and developed.
 Eliminating any possibility of Negativity in the heritage by creating
options for improving the safety, usability and the context of the heritage
building in the changed circumstances.
 Avoiding Freezing Heritage Structure; instead allow it to be used for
the overall advantage and benefit of the community and place.
 Promote Good Conservation Practices; which will empower the
structure to evolve, devolve and adapt to meet changing needs while
retaining its particular significance besides ensuring that the heritage is
not damaged by inappropriate intervention.
 Permitting Additions, Alterations; and other interventions made in the
course of development, which will ensure that changes made remain
sympathetic and supportive to the earlier structure and its quality, and
shall not cause any dilution or damage to the fabric of the structure,
whether in the long or short term.
 Ensure no over-restoration; or poorly specified replacement elements
made during the process of conservation, which will pose threat/willful
damage to the character of historic structures.
Approach to Conservation: Based on above principles and processes guiding the
development; conservation and development of the heritage areas should essentially
revolve around;
 Keeping Building in active Use; Best option for conserving a historic
building is to keep it in active use and find appropriate solution, which will
allow it to adapt to a new use, without unacceptable damage to its
character and special interest. Retaining original use ,for which a structure
was built, will be the most appropriate and logical option. While redefining
the protected structure to meet the requirements of modern living, it is
important that the special character of the structure should be valued,
retained and never sacrificed.
 Promoting Research and Analysis; All conservation proposals should
invariably be led by thorough and detailed research and analysis of

5. historical development and understanding the present condition of the
structure. The research should not be limited merely to studying and
analyzing the main structure and its interior ,but should also include and
extend to studying and analyzing the objectives and issues relevant to
structures or features which contribute to the protected structure and
physical fabric of the site, and any available documentary or other
evidence, for understanding the reasons and extent of any decay and
damage, which would help in creating future proposals for restoring the
heritage buildings.
 Using Expert Conservation Advice; Building conservation is a
specialized discipline and the method of restoration work needs to be
specified by experts with a knowledge , expertise, understanding and
experience of the context, fabric and relevance of historic buildings.
Planning authorities, when discussing/evaluating proposals with the
owners or occupiers of protected structures, should encourage them to
seek expert’s advice when considering undertaking works to their
buildings. Where a protected structure is of particularly high quality or
rarity, engaging of conservation expertise, should invariably be made a
pre-condition before grant of any planning permission/undertaking
conservation. The input of expert advice should not be confined merely
to the preparing planning application and its processing but should be
extended to entire time span of the conservation project, in order to
ensure that the conservation works are competently and correctly
completed. using experienced and skilled workers with proper and
adequate supervision. In order to deal with all the issues related to the
heritage conservation and development, rationally, objectively and
realistically, all Planning authorities should invariably have in-house
support of conservation staff or services of independent quality
consultants, to assess, analyze, specify, define, aid, advise and assist in
all matters related to heritage conservation and assessing/quantifying
likely impact/implications of the proposed development on the protected
structure and the urban settlements.
 Protecting the Special Interest - The character and special interest of a
protected structure can suffer irreversible damaged by inappropriate
conservation. In majority of cases unscientific conservation can lead to
demolishing wholly/ partly. It can also lead to stripping of its value and
distinctiveness by neglect and decay, unsuitable alteration, uninformed
repair or over-restoration. Since all buildings remain different and distinct,
having specific requirements of intervention, accordingly, application of
standard solutions to historic buildings will not only be appropriate but
also irrational. Old buildings are known for their unique qualities in terms

6. of handmade building materials and dedicated craftsmanship which are
no longer achievable today. Materials, such as; particular type of stone,
may no longer be obtainable. Above all, historic buildings have a patina of
age which is irreplaceable and cannot be replicated. Accordingly ,
conservation guidelines must provide options to deal with such cases in
a manner, that it does not impact the quality and fabric of heritage
structure.
 Promoting Minimum Intervention ;The principle of promoting minimum
intervention in a protected structure is best summed up by the maxim ‘do
as much as necessary and as little as possible’. Large scale interventions
in a protected structure remain most appropriate. Best options in
heritage conservation are often which are low key and which involve
least work and minimum cost. While undertaking conservation, authority
must satisfy that proposed works of additions/alterations are necessary
and will not adversely impact the fabric and structure of the building.
 Respecting Earlier Alterations of Interest ; Additions and alterations
remain integral part of any building and are known to define the social
and architectural history of the built heritage. Addition of porches and
balconies, can say much about changing fashions in architectural design
and social aspiration, as can alterations or embellishments such as the
addition of window and door surrounds or dormer windows. For
maintaining the integrity and sanctity of a structure, it is important to
respect the contribution made at different stages of its historical
development and should be seen and valued as integral part of the
unique history of that building. New alterations made to the building
should invariably and essentially respect their contextuality design and
specification. In times, such interventions will also contribute to the history
of the structure.
 Valuing Repairing Rather than Replacing ; Aim and focus of any good
conservation practice should be to preserve the authentic fabric which
contributes to the special interest of the structure. Good repair invariably
helps in arresting the process of decay of a structure and prolong its life
without damaging its basic and inherent character and elements of
special interest. Where a damaged or deteriorated feature could
reasonably be repaired, its replacement should not be permitted. Many
historic structures date from a time when the majority of building materials
were wrought by hand. These materials have a variety and vitality that
cannot be matched by machine-made materials. The unnecessary
replacement of historic fabric, no matter how carefully the work is carried
out, will have an adverse effect on the character of a building or
monument, seriously diminish its authenticity and will significantly reduce

7. its value as a source of historical information. Replacing original or earlier
elements of a building with modern replicas only serves to falsify the
historical evidence of the building and should be discounted and
discouraged in the parlance of conservation.
 Promoting Honesty of Repairs and Alterations; Honesty of purpose
and honesty of repair and alterations, should be made integral part of
process used for promoting good conservation practices. Undertaking
any repairs to a protected building or structure should generally be
carried out without making any attempt to disguise or artificial ageing.
Any good repair, carried out with skill, leaves an interesting record of
works done. Deliberately obscuring alterations confuses the historical
record of the building. Any repairs made should not detract the visual
integrity of the structure. Where elements are not capable of repair, the
new work should accurately reproduce the detail of the original. Effort
should be made that entire section should not be replaced if only a part is
damaged.
 Using Appropriate Materials and Methods; Only appropriate materials
and methods should be used in works to a protected structure. The use of
modern materials and techniques should only be permitted where their
appropriateness is supported by firm scientific evidence or where they
have proved themselves, over a sufficient period and where traditional
alternatives cannot be sourced. Materials to be used and details
/specifications for works to be adopted, should be considered and
evaluated carefully, prior to the commencement of any development
works.
 Ensuring Reversibility of Alterations ; Reversible, or substantially
reversible processes should always be preferred while making any
additions and alterations to the heritage buildings, due to inherent
advantage such processes provide in term of allowing for the future
correction of unforeseen problems, whenever any need arises, without
lasting damage being caused to the architectural heritage. Filling
structural voids with concrete would be an irreversible process while a
loose fill could easily be removed at a later stage. Similarly, scribing new
partitions around an existing cornice or skirting allows for the earlier work
to remain intact, possibly to be re-exposed at a future time. Despite the
fact that reversibility is an important conservation principle but should not
be used/misused to justify inappropriate interventions.
 Avoiding Incremental Damage; While making changes, the cumulative
impact of such changes on fabric and structure of building/ area must be
viewed holistically. This principle can apply to a street or area where a
precedent becomes established for the removal of architectural features

8. or the addition of extensions. It can sometimes be difficult to refuse
permission for minor works, but a point may be reached when the
combined impact of all the small alterations will be considerable and
detract substantially from the architectural quality and character of the
building or of an area.
 Discouraging the Use of Architectural Salvage from Other
Buildings; The use of architectural salvage from other historic buildings
in restoring the historic/ protected structures, should invariably be
prohibited and not encouraged for the simple reasons that re-use of
architectural features from elsewhere can confuse the understanding and
appreciation of a building, casting doubt on the authenticity of even the
untouched parts of the fabric. In addition, it can lead to creating a market
for salvaged building materials promoting the dismantling of other old
buildings, and sourcing elements from a heritage building for reuse
elsewhere. Promoting the use of newly produced materials including
stone or wrought iron could help to keep them in production and
encourage the revival of the craftsmanship associated with these
materials. In special and specific cases, where suitable traditional
materials are no longer in production and their production cannot be
revived, in such exceptional cases, the use of salvaged materials may be
appropriate after ascertaining their appropriateness.
 Complying with the Building Regulations; The Building Regulations
remain vital and critical and are invariably designed to secure the health
and safety of people in and around buildings and are backed up by
relevant technical studies/documents which give guidance regarding
compliance. With limited number of exemptions/exceptions, these
regulations cover and apply to all works involving new construction,
extensions to buildings, material alterations to existing buildings and
material change of use of such buildings. Considering the specialized
nature of buildings and work related to additions/alterations to be
undertaken in heritage buildings, different guidelines/provisions have to
be included in the said building regulations. Besides including the
principles detailed and defined above; Regulations should invariably
include matters related to;
 Structure
 Fire Safety
 Conservation of Fuel and Energy
 Access for People with Disabilities.
Adherence to codes, standards or technical specifications, intended for
application to new work may be unduly restrictive or impracticable. In the

9. interest of conserving the character of buildings of outstanding
architectural and historical importance, works such as the replacement of
doors, windows , provision of insulated dry-lining and damp-proofing to
walls and basements, provision of roof vents and ducting of pipework
which affect the character of the structure, need to be carefully evaluated
before permitting them in buildings. Considering the sensitive and specific
nature of work; appropriate provision should be made in the Building
Regulations, for granting relaxation/exemptions in relation to specific
works or materials, where the case for such dispensation or relaxation is
found to be appropriate and accepted by the authority.
Ethics of conservation
While undertaking conservation work for any heritage building or project, following
standard of ethics/guidelines must be rigorously observed :
 Interventions made must be minimum and necessary.
 Opting for appropriate materials and reversible methods;
 Undertaking full documentation of all work undertaken:
 Treating heritage fabric carefully;
 Making judicious decisions about heritage fabric;
 Allowing every new installation to be reversible.
 Holistically recording condition of the building before any intervention.
 Eliminating chances of historic evidence being destroyed, falsified or
removed
 All intervention governed by principles of respect for the aesthetic,
maintaining historical and physical integrity of cultural property.
 Documenting methods and materials used during treatment
In addition to above, any proposed interventions should be ;
 reversible or repeatable, if technically possible,
 not prejudice a future intervention whenever this may become
necessary;
 not hindering the possibility of later access to all evidence incorporated
 retaining the maximum amount of existing material
 achieving harmony in colour, tone, texture, form and scale,
 all conservation process remains different, distinct and unique
requiring specific solutions.
Benefits of Conservation

10. Heritage Conservation, as a process is known for its capacity and distinct advantages,
in terms of provides numerous benefits to property owners, businesses, developers
and to the community as a whole. This positivity can be enumerated in terms of;
• Increasing Property Values; Heritage conservation tends to increases property
values – both of the restored building &surrounding properties.
• Promoting Tourism; Heritage conservation adds to the tourism potential and helps
businesses attract customers.
• Creating Identity; Conservation empowers communities/cities to build their own
image/identity around retained historical elements, adding to their economy and
generating employment.
• Promoting self-sufficiency; Conservation keeps money within the community by
requiring fewer materials from outside and creating more labour-intensive work by
local trades.
• Sourcing Incentives; With the right programs in place, businesses and building
owners can take advantage of government programs and incentives to maintain
and restore heritage buildings
• Reduction in Waste; Conservation reduces construction and demolition waste and
uses less than half the energy of new construction and accordingly promotes
sustainability in built environment.
• Increasing Investment; Heritage conservation results in increased investment
making value addition by rewarding communities not only in the present but also
creating invaluable resources for future generations.
 Creating distinct Urban Character; Besides making value addition, heritage
conservation gives distinctive character to urban environment