Protection and Rehabilitation of the Architectural Heritage

How are we to define a method for approaching restoration and rehabilitation of buildings? Reexamining the way in which until now we have considered the stratification of history and the way of dealing with old buildings in the light of practices since the Antiquity to the 19th century is too relativistic an approach. A review of the various theories since the writings of Alois RIEGL at the turn of the century and up to the articles of the Charter of Venice set down by The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1964 sheds light on thought and practice relative to both restoration and rehabilitation. The latter distinction hinges on the value of the building which is the object of our consideration although, of course, a sharp dividing line cannot be drawn between the two. Restoration is best applied to intentional monuments (temples, churches, castles, etc.) for which the greatest respect must be maintained whereas rehabilitation is directed more to non intentional monument; moreover, rehabilitation tolerates greater freedom and scope owing to its lesser importance as an art and historical document.