23800 - Theories and History of Restoration

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has to know the evolution of the concept of "monument" and has to know the theories about restoration and principles that have influenced the activity of preserving monuments from the 14th to the 20th century. In particular, the student is able to: - analyze, recognize and put in a historic view previous work on the object being studied; - to define the historical-methodological problems and/or trends related to one or more phases of the history of restoration.

Course contents

The History and Restoration course (I.C. 12 CFU) consists of two integrated and coordinated modules: History of Architecture 3 (8 CFU) and Theories and History of Restoration (4 CFU).

The course addresses the relationship between history, project and restoration and is structured in common thematic modules in order to observe from different disciplinary perspectives the role of history and time within the architectural project.

The course is articulated into the following modules:

Module 1. Towards modernity: architecture and city between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century 

Module 2. Experiences and masters of the 20th century architecture

Module 3. The Italian context between the two wars

Module 4. Reconstruction and post-war architecture 

Module 5. After the masters of modern architecture and up to postmodernism

Module 6. On the threshold of chronicle. Some alternatives after postmodernism

Within the course, the Theories and History of Restoration module focuses on the interventions on and for the built heritage. Restoration, intended as an activity aimed at counteracting the phenomena of natural and anthropic degradation, which may lead to the loss of a certain cultural asset – in this case, an architectural asset –, has an ancient history; nevertheless, we talk of a modern way to restore monuments since a couple of centuries. As a matter of fact, cultural, social and economic events have introduced us to what is the actual meaning of the term, resulting in the emergence of a discipline with its own characteristics.

Through case studies and protagonists who have made a significant contribution to the development of the methodologies aimed at protecting the historical-architectural heritage, the module connects theoretical inputs to operational practices. It is a didactic path from the birth of the discipline to the current orientations of method to provide the student with an essential cultural background to identify and critically evaluate the interventions on the built heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

For ERASMUS students:

Bibliography

D.P. DOORDAN, Building modern Italy: Italian architecture 1914-1936, Princeton Architectural Press, New York 1988.

J. JOKILEHTO, A History of Architectural Conservation, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford 1999.

J. JOKILEHTO, Authenticity in restoration principles and practice, in "APT Bulletin", 17, no. 3 and 4, 5 ff., 1985.

J. RUSKIN, The Seven Lamps of Architecture, London 1849 (paragraphs about "The lamp of the truth" and "The lamp of the memory").

E.E. VIOLLET-LE-DUC, On restoration, Sampson, London 1875.

Charters and Documents Relating to the Conservation and Management of Cultural Sites and Tourism

Final vote of the 1st Section of the 4th Congress of Italian Engineers and Architects (Rome, 1883).

Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments (1931).

Italian Restoration Charter (1932).

International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (Venice Charter, 1964).

Italian Restoration Charter (1972).

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972).

Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance (Burra Charter, 1979).

Florence Charter (1981).

Charter for the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas (Washington Charter, 1987).

Nara Document on Authenticity (1994).

Cracow Charter (2000).

Teaching methods

The lessons of the Theories and History of Restoration module are divided into two fundamental moments: the ex cathedra lessons and the reading of a part of a recommended (transdisciplinary) text with subsequent debate in classroom on the theoretical issues that emerged from the lecture. There are also common seminars between the two modules that compose the integrated course, some lessons by invited lecturers, study trips and exercises.

The student is asked to elaborate a timeline related to the main works and events presented during the lessons. Examples for the elaboration of this study tool are uploaded to the platform "Virtuale".

In addition to the timeline, on the day of the exam students should also bring their own notebook, within which the notes of each lesson will be followed by 1/2 pages with drawings, sketches, photographs and writings useful for deepening the topics that aroused the most curiosity and personal interest.

Assessment methods

The exam of History and Restoration consists in the learning assessment of the contents of the two modules which compose the integrated course.

In particular, the exam of Theories and History of Restoration aims to evaluate the achievement of the following didactic goals:

- knowing the evolution of the concept of monument;

- knowing the main theoretical-operational nodes related to the evolution of the discipline of Restoration, up to the current orientations;

- knowing the works dealt with in classroom.

The exam of History and Restoration is divided between the two modules of the course (History of Architecture 3 and Theories and History of Restoration) and the final assessment is the weighted average of the results of the two examinations, weighted on the CFU of each module. Both the oral discussions require the student to illustrate a favourite topic and consist of at least three specific questions on topics related to the main goals of the course.

In order to be admitted to the exam, on that day the student must present the exercises required by the course (timeline and personal notebook).

Specifically, the final exam of the Theories and History of Restoration module is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Learning the contents of the module (up to a maximum of 10 points)

2. Ability to critically analyse the discussed issues (up to a maximum of 10 points)

3. Ability to contextualise the discussed issues (up to a maximum of 10 points)

Teaching tools

Slides, videos and documentary films.

The slides of the lessons (which will be progressively deposited in the course page on the platform "Virtuale") collect mainly images; the attendance at the course and the support of the notes are therefore strongly recommended.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Favaretto