| CODE | BLH5511 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Conservation Materials and Methods 2: Decorative Architectural Surfaces | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will give in-depth information on conservation materials and methods for decorative architectural surfaces, stressing on the effects on the whole porous stratigraphy and considering environmental conditions the surfaces are exposed to. It will include an overview of the theory of specific treatments. The scientific foundations of such conservation materials and methods will be studied in depth, in order to understand how and why they work. Materials and methods will include both traditional and up-to-date modern methods. The evaluation of different materials and methods, advantages and disadvantages, and the applicability to specific situations and case studies, will also be covered e discussed. Students will also critically learn if and when to introduce appropriate modifications which will improve the effectiveness of the treatments - these will generally be based on laboratory-based research and experimentation before work on real decorative architectural surfaces is carried out. This unit will tackle conservation materials and methods specific to Decorative Architectural Surfaces, such as (but not limited to) other types of consolidation and adhesion, temporary stabilisation with volatile binding media, facing, grouting, filling, pictorial retouching. Case studies, both successful and otherwise, will be introduced and discussed. Practical demonstrations/applications will be included on laboratory replicas. Study-unit Aims: - Provide a comprehensive overview to the use of conservation materials and methods specific to decorative architectural surfaces; - Develop a scientific approach towards the choice, application, and adaptation of the best possible treatment(s) for a specific decorative architectural surface; - Develop critical thinking on the applicability of the methods learnt. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different conservation treatments used over time on decorative architectural surfaces, critically evaluating them in light of the most recent studies; - Demonstrate technical and scientific deep understanding of key processes, materials and concepts encountered in the conservation of decorative architectural surfaces; - Demonstrate ethical awareness and critical reflection in relation to conservation practice for decorative architectural surfaces; - Explain how a suitable conservation treatment can be chosen for a specific problem affecting decorative architectural surfaces. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply in practice problem solving skills related to the condition and potential treatments of selected decorative architectural surfaces, with an in depth holistic approach considering the whole building / site; - Critically design a conservation treatment taking into consideration specific original materials and techniques, condition of the decorative architectural surface, external parameters affecting the intervention / the results potentially obtained, weighing advantages and potential disadvantages; - Implement conservation treatments for decorative architectural surfaces with good manual skills. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential readings: - Ashurst J. and Dimes, F. G. 1990. Conservation of Building and Decorative Stone. Butterworth-Heinemann - Horie, C.V. 1987. Materials for conservation, London: Butterworth-Heinemann - Cather, S. (Ed.) 1991. The conservation of wall paintings, proceedings of a symposium organized by the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Getty Conservation Institute, London, July 13-16, 1987. Getty Conservation Institute - Gowing, R. and Heritage, A. 2003. Conserving the Painted Past: Developing Approaches to Wall Painting Conservation (Post-prints of an English Heritage Conference, 1999), London: James & James. Further readings: - Agnew, N. (Ed.) 2010. Conservation of ancient sites on the Silk Road: proceedings of the second international conference on the conservation of grotto sites, Mogao grottoes, Dunhuang, People' s Republic of China, June 28-July 3, 2004. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute - Cather, S. (2006). Trans-technological methodology: setting performance criteria for conserving wall paintings. In Far East Asian Mural Paintings: Diagnosis, Conservation and Restoration (pp. 89-95). - Ashurst J. and N. 1988. Practical Building Conservation. Volume 3: Plasters, Mortars and Renders. Gower Technical Press - Fidler, J. 1995. Lime Treatments: Lime Watering and Shelter Coating of Friable Historic Masonry. In: APT Bulletin, Special Issue: Preservation of Historic Masonry. Vol. XXVI, No.4, pp. 50-57 - Cather, S. (2003). Aqueous extraction of soluble salts from porous materials: alternatives and contra-indications. In Mauersalze und Architekturoberfläche (pp. 167-172). |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-unit: BLH5507 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practicum | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Sophie Briffa |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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