37 CATHEDRAL COMMUNICATIONS THE BUILDING CONSERVATION DIRECTORY 2025 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 1 THE DIGITAL FRONTIER The case for a new framework to integrate IT/AI technologies in conservation INGVAL MAXWELL OVER THE past century or so, a developing appreciation of cultural heritage values and significance has shaped and promoted a series of operational, philosophical and ethical guiding principles. These have been primarily disseminated through a range of international conservation charters and conventions which have evolved with the intention of adopting betterinformed decision-making. With the emphasis firmly placed on maintaining and achieving respect for authenticity and the patina of age, The Burra Charter and others have provided the necessary framework for fostering integrity and an honest appreciation of compatibility, reversibility and minimum intervention. All physical interventions are now required to comply with relevant national and local regulations, standards and codes of practice, and all consequential actions are required to be fully documented and recorded for posterity. In the UK, the embryonic developmental process was historically rooted in antiquarianism, grand tours and the scrape/anti-scrape debate, becoming officially formalised through ancient monument, planning and listed buildings legislation. This, coupled with the principles of conservation promoted by official heritage bodies and through BS7913-2013 Guide to the Conservation of Historic Buildings amongst other influences, now forms the national framework within which the sector operates. The ethical intention of this framework is to avoid compromising authenticity and, by preserving as much original fabric as possible, permitting future generations to deal with interventions without jeopardising historic integrity as a readable record. To achieve greater enlightened and applicable end results, an increasing degree of collaborative multidisciplinary working has been called for. EXTERNAL PRESSURES These criteria and the current framework are facing new challenges. Persuasive demands and evolutionary circumstances are emerging to influence future conservation activities. The speed with which these are occurring is a growing concern. IMMEDIATE Within the construction industries’ progressive new-build sector, an entirely new assemblage of far-reaching ascendancies has been flourishing exponentially. The dominant themes emerging are promoting a greater acceptance and incorporation of energy efficiency and climate change interventions, better disaster preparedness and adaptive re-uses, along with other politics-driven agendas. At the same time, underinvestment has hollowed out sufficient funding to manage and cope with an increasing building repair, conservation and maintenance burden nationwide. Compounded by scarce availability of traditional material supplies, skills training and an informed knowledge base, this imbalance is creating a susceptibility to the use of new untested systems and modern pioneering technologies without adequate testing and often without justification. Promoted with conviction, an expanding range of influencers are placing demands and tensions on existing historic fabric, its integrity and wellbeing. In consequence, ill-considered integrations are increasingly challenging established conservation principles and practice, none more so than the perceived retrofitting of inappropriate materials to improve building performance. Many of these initiatives are based on an inadequate assessment and understanding of the existing traditional physical fabric, its constituent parts, levels of deterioration and performance-in-use capabilities. Here, a high degree of survey information, data and analysis should be required to inform activities. Whilst digital recording means and technologies are being incorporated to partially meet that need, their adoption also requires a considerable degree of upfront costs to help guide decision-making on proposals. MEDIUM TO LONG TERM Since the turn of the century a contiguous, fast-moving, multi-faceted digital world has emerged. Initiatives such as interoperability, Facade retention: with totally removed interiors, an inevitable reduction in a structures’ original significance and value occurs, offering an easier prospect for adopting BIM and digitally orientated initiatives in a redevelopment. (All photos: Ingval Maxwell)
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