It’s all about attitude -
the making of a good conservation engineer Print this article
Engineers are most often associated with the cutting edge of technology, but they also have an important role to play in the protection of our built heritage. What makes a good conservation engineer? Ivor McElveen suggests that it is the right attitude
The conservation engineer is faced with an existing structure, usually
one built hundreds of years before.
Pic: courtesy of Vermillion Design.
In contrast to the conventional situation of constructing something new, the conservation engineer is faced with an existing structure, usually one built hundreds of years before. Whether it is a 15th century abbey or an 18th century Georgian mansion, it is likely to be broken or ‘sick’ and in need of remedial works. It is the nature of these remedial works which will be important.
It will be essential that the materials used and methods adopted enshrine the principles of good conservation practice. These are set out in the guidelines published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and also laid down by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, in its various Charters. (ICOMOS is a non-government organisation and an advisor to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee).
Philosophy and principles A conservation engineer has to understand the philosophy and principles of conservation and be familiar with the methodologies and techniques involved. Fundamental to these principles are: minimum intervention; repair like with like and in like manner and, ideally; the procedure should be reversible. In strict conservation terms, the idea is to maintain the structure as it is, discretely holding its stability and sensitively undertaking other repairs, as and where required.
Possibly, and perhaps strangely, when the work is finished, the structure should look as it was before the work was ever started. Clearly, from a structural perspective, reversibility can be problematic, but with good advocacy, reason will prevail and where there is no other option than to introduce an additional member as support, or to introduce modern materials, design sensibility decides what would be compatible and appropriate in a given situation. Structural interventions, irrespective of health and safety, can be controversial.
When a conservation engineer sees a leaning tower, she or he just makes sure that it is stable and prevents it from leaning any more. A conventional engineer might perhaps be tempted to take the easier route of knocking it down and building a replica, an improved and vertically straight one, but this is not acceptable. We are not in the business of creating imitation antiques.
A loss of a heritage building is a loss of cultural patrimony, which is finite and irreplaceable. The fabric, materials and workmanship of the past are just as important as the architectural or historical significance of the building. So, the right attitude is an approach which embraces a conservation philosophy, underpinned with knowledge, training and experience.
Ivor McElveen Chartered Engineer FIEI, is chairman of Building Limes Forum Ireland and has over 40 years experience in the public and private sectors, is a former advisor to a Czech Government Minister and is now principal of a conservation consultancy practice, Ivor McElveen Associates. He is a committee member of the Engineers Ireland Heritage Society, a member of ICOMOS Ireland and the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland.
