As time passes, so do the moments in the present gradually fading into the depths of time falling under the ever-enveloping timeline of history. When it comes to appreciating history the most tangible remnants of the past we have today are these historical buildings left by those before us which transform into spiritual places for those interested in stories of people, narratives, and history. Their weathered walls stand tall amidst the ever-progressing nature of their surroundings, forming a foundation of our imagination of what times gone by looked and felt like much more beyond the visual representation of photographs. The character and symbolism of these places are the most important and worthy of preservation, not only now but also for years to come. This is an exploration into the challenges of preserving these physical remnants of the past.
Aging Creating Timeless Authenticity in Materials
One of the most clearly visible aspects of any historical building is the material whose weathered exterior design and craftsmanship merge to tell the story of the hands used to create it also being a spectator of activities through the time characterized by human and natural processes combined creating this character of authenticity and symbolism. This makes the restoration process quite challenging as repairs, for example, require the new materials to be of the same strength, texture, scale, and form where the places of origin could have long vanished due to historical occurrences. For this to work the use of traditional techniques and materials (old ways are the best ways) makes it certain that the restored sections blend seamlessly with the original, however, the whole process is usually labor intensive and skilled workmanship of those styles. The bigger question is how we reconcile restoring the building to a state reminiscent of the original without erasing the spectacle of events the building endured over time.
The Details Make the Design
As one man said “The details are not the details. They make up the design” and so is the case with some historical buildings where careful attention to detail is required to achieve the same level of craftsmanship achieved by those whose hands first graced these buildings. Occasionally, the mistake made is the commissioning of such highly delicate work to inexperienced workers whose repairs can risk damage and whose ignorance makes them fail to realize the overwhelming significance of their work. But even with the right kind of people obtained to take on this significant task their talents in craftsmanship warrant immense amounts of money coupled with the fact that the original materials are hard to source, especially on a large scale. This group of challenges often leads to the need for compromises whose restorative works might not fully bring out the historical richness of the overall composition of what was once there.
The presence of international and local bodies and local zoning legislations or international heritage guidelines show a commitment to the protection and conservation of these historical buildings whose goodwill and intentions can sometimes get in the way of trying to preserve or restore some of these buildings. The need for justification, and navigating legal and regulatory hurdles from different committees and bodies can sometimes derail good-willed intentions coupled with the lack of clear guidelines creating confusion and delays.
Understanding the building’s history, architecture and materials is the foundation of any restoration; detailed research and planning are required. It might involve consulting historical documents which helps in making informed decisions. Preservation can involve some level of restoration especially of areas and sections that succumbed to damage. The process is a highly innovative and creative process requiring the need to maintain the original structure while ensuring structural integrity and safety without compromising historical integrity. This often requires a delicate balance of engineering innovation and traditional building methods. However, carrying the historical buildings along in the future requires the integration of modern amenities into these buildings. The challenge is meeting modern safety standards, energy efficiency, and sustainability measures without damage to the structure.
Undoubtedly, one of the unlikely problems facing preservation is mass tourism which commodifies these historical places where they are seen as an opportunity for revenue stripping them of their historical significance, cultural depth, and unique experience. They gradually evolve into avenues of self-aggrandizing photo opportunities and profit-making souvenir shops selling with most tourists as visual consumers rather than curious listeners in understanding the stories behind what made these places of great historical significance in the first place.
Ultimately the challenges of preservation of historical buildings are material legal and cultural innovation and creativity is required to keep them as they are or restore them to their original state. Advancements in science and technology offer us unprecedented ways to achieve this to the smallest of details. The modern interventions and amenities added should easily fade and allow the original to shine through. The presence of local and international recognise the presence of these buildings though most emphasis is placed on conservation rather than restoration. Protecting the building is one thing but the living heritage and cultural continuity of the place is also worth consideration.
References:
Akash Dalvi (2023). Preserving Historic Buildings: Challenges and Conservation Methods. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcPFcth9TlI [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
Getty Conservation Institute (2014). Philosophy and Approach in Conserving Modern Heritage. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QQFP8d2d4s [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
Malaysia Architecture Students Alliance (2020). Lecture #20: 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 by 𝐀𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C35pPRHIaI [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
TEDx Talks (2017). Why we should defend historical monuments from destruction | Maria Chen | TEDxGoodenoughCollege. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owOE776veMs [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) (2020). Conservation challenges (with Q&A). [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAchJ5q_1Ms [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
This House (2023). Why Historical Preservation MATTERS. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POC5G1gWBC0 [Accessed 22 Oct. 2024].
UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage (2021). Conservation challenges of modern architecture and materials – UCL ISH Virtual Guest Lecture. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ItQ9uhwHc [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
