Restoration is the responsibility of carrying the traces of the past into the future with the technical knowledge of the present. This process is not merely a physical repair; it is a whole system of historical research, materials science, engineering, aesthetics, and ethical decisions.
A successful restoration project progresses through four main phases: Diagnosis, Strategy, Intervention, and Sustainable Conservation.
I. Preparation and Documentation (Diagnosis Phase)
The most critical phase of restoration is often the least visible: the preparation process. Because any intervention without a correct diagnosis carries risks.
1. Survey – Scientific Recording of the Current Situation
A survey is the documentation of a building's current condition, including measurements, materials, and details. In addition to traditional measurement methods, nowadays:
- 3D laser scanning
- Photogrammetry
- Drone-assisted facade analysis
- Digital modeling
A digital archive of the structure is being created using technologies such as these. This record serves as the project's primary reference point and provides data for any future comparisons.
2. Analytical Survey – Assessing the Damage
Analytical surveying reveals not only the physical dimensions of a structure but also its condition.
- Stone surface losses
- Traces of salinity and moisture
- Fracture maps
- Static deformations
- Previous incorrect interventions
This process is meticulously documented. The structure is examined almost like a patient, and the source of any problems is investigated.
3. Restitution – Analysis of Historical Layers
A building is often not limited to a single period. It contains additions, alterations, and interventions from different eras. Restitution work:
- Archival documents
- Old photographs
- Engravings
- Written sources
- Physical traces on the structure
With its help, it aims to understand the original condition of the structure. This stage provides the answer to the question, "What are we preserving?"
II. Project Design and Approval (Strategy Phase)
Once the diagnosis is complete, an intervention strategy is determined. This stage is the mental production phase of restoration.
4. Restoration Project – Framework of Intervention
The restoration project systematically defines all the procedures to be carried out:
- Empowerment decisions
- Material selections
- Cleaning methods
- Completion and integration details
- Mechanical and structural interventions
The most important principle at this stage is to avoid unnecessary intervention. Every procedure must have a scientific basis.
5. Conservation Decisions – Protective Approach
Conservation is the principle of preserving existing material in situ as much as possible.
- Stone consolidation
- Surface cleaning techniques
- Injection applications
- Breathable protective systems
Methods like these are considered within this scope. The aim here is not to alter the material, but to preserve it.
6. Approval by the Conservation Board – Scientific and Legal Oversight
The prepared project is submitted to the relevant Regional Conservation Board. This process demonstrates that restoration carries not only technical but also ethical and legal responsibilities. No work can begin on a registered building without the Board's approval.
III. Application and Intervention (Operational Phase)
When strategy is put into practice on the ground, discipline and expertise come to the forefront.
7. Site Setup and Structural Safety
The structure is secured with scaffolding systems, temporary suspension elements, and protective measures. Preventing further damage to the structure during the intervention process is a priority.
8. Material Analysis and Appropriate Production
Material compatibility is of vital importance in historical buildings. Laboratory analyses show that:
- Mortar content
- Stone density
- Connector type
- Salt content
This is determined. For example, choosing lime-based or Khorasan mortar instead of cement mortar preserves the breathability of the structure.
9. Controlled Intervention – Fidelity to the Original
The procedures carried out at this stage may include the following:
- Mechanical or chemical cleaning
- Stone finishing
- Joint renewal
- Structural strengthening
- Limited reconstruction
However, every intervention is carried out in accordance with the principle of minimum intervention. The aim is to stabilize, not to renovate.
IV. Completion and Sustainability (Protection Phase)
Restoration is not complete when the application is finished; in fact, the conservation process begins at that point.
10. Final Documentation (As-Built Process)
All procedures performed are documented with up-to-date drawings and reports. This archive serves as a reference for future interventions.
11. Keeping it Alive with the Right Function
The most effective way to preserve a structure is to keep it alive. However, the new function must be suitable for the character and load-bearing capacity of the structure. Structures that are overloaded or given the wrong function can be damaged again in a short time.
12. Periodic Maintenance and Monitoring
In particular, water and humidity levels should be checked at regular intervals.
- Roof and gutter inspections
- Facade surface tracking
- Performance analysis of water repellent systems.
- Humidity measurements
It is fundamental to long-term protection.
Basic Principles of Restoration
- Authenticity: Respect for historical identity is essential.
- Reversibility: The intervention should be able to be reversed without causing further harm if necessary.
- Minimum intervention: Less intervention provides greater protection.
- Documentation: Every transaction must be recorded.
- Material Compatibility: Each newly added element must be physically and chemically compatible with the existing structure.
Conclusion
A successful restoration project aims not at making a building look "new," but at ensuring it remains healthy, balanced, and retaining its original character despite its age. Restoration is not a renovation activity, but a conscious conservation discipline.