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 the restoration.

Course contents

Restoration, intended as an activity aimed at counteracting the phenomena of degradation - natural but also anthropic - which inevitably lead to the loss of a certain cultural asset - in this case, an architectonic asset - has an ancient history. We talk of a modern way to restore monuments since a couple of centuries, when various 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. The course will provide useful information to reconnect various phenomena to the emerging of the discipline and will introduce, through case studies and personalities that have made a significant contribution to it, to its study.

Readings/Bibliography

B. P. Torsello, Restauro architettonico. Padri, teorie, immagini, Angeli, Milano, 1984

J. Jokilheto, A History of Architectural Conservation, Elsevier, 2004

Teaching methods

Lections; discussions

Assessment methods

The end-of-course exam aims to evaluate the achievement of the didactic goals:
- Knowing the evolution of the concept of "monument";
- Understanding the main theoretical and attitude-related approaches to the restoration of architecture;
- Learning at least the work of the main theorists dealt with during the course.
The final grade of the course is defined by an oral test consisting of at least three specific questions on topics related to the main objectives of the Course; and by evaluating a written tutorial, which is developed in conjunction with the other modules of the course during the academic year.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides; pdf files. The PowerPoint tutorial files will be made available to students in a synthetic format compared to the one presented in lessons (attendance at the course is strongly recommended); the files relating to out-of-print publications will be provided on request (among those listed in the lessons for integration of the general bibliography).

Office hours

See the website of Marco Pretelli

See the website of Leila Signorelli