RIAI Conservation Architect/Practice Grades I & II: Services
“Conservation works should only be carried out by persons competent in these specialist activities.” (International Council on Monuments and Sites. Guidelines for Education and Training).
A Conservation Architect/Practice Grade I or II is qualified to provide, in relation to buildings appropriate to their Grade, the full range of services as described in the RIAI Client/Architect Agreement and, in addition -
To advise on:
- the philosophy and principles of conservation;
- UNESCO, ICOMOS and other Charters, Regulations and Guidelines;
- the legal background to conservation;
- the purchase of protected structures;
- statutory obligations regarding declarations, notifications and consents;
- the need for historic research and analysis;
- the need for specialist studies and advice;
- special techniques of repair, restoration and consolidation;
- appropriate new uses for historic buildings;
- the integration of modern technology and services into historic buildings;
- contracts suitable for conservation work;
- the conservation aspects of temporary works, demolition and shoring;
- grants and funding for conservation works;
And to:
- Study the history and technology of historic buildings/sites, interpret the results and plan for their conservation;
- Find and absorb the available sources of information relevant to the historic building or site being studied;
- Carry out searches of records and archives;
- Analyse the behaviour of monuments, ensembles and sites;
- Record, using all appropriate traditional and modern methods (including use of specialist technology, photogrammetry, rectified photography etc.), the condition of Historic Buildings;
- Provide measured drawings of Historic Buildings;
- Provide Historic Buildings Reports;
- Provide Inventories of Historic Buildings;
- Provide non-destructive investigation to analyse and evaluate Historic Buildings;
- Provide structural and material condition reports determining causes of building deterioration;
- Diagnose intrinsic and extrinsic causes of decay as a basis for appropriate intervention;
- Design appropriate alterations and extensions;
- Liaise with fire officers, consultants and building owners in the formation of fire prevention and security strategies;
- Work with inhabitants, administrators and planners to resolve conflicts and to develop conservation strategies appropriate to local needs, abilities and resources;
- Provide expert advice on maintenance strategies, management policies and the policy framework for environmental protection and preservation of monuments and their contents, and sites;
- Provide documents describing works executed and make them accessible;
