Conservation of Historic Timber Structures: An Ecological Approach to Preservation (Conservation and Museology) - Hardcover

Larsen, Knut; Marstein, Nils

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750634340 ISBN 13: 9780750634342

Publisher: Architectural Press, 2000

Synopsis

Knut Einar Larsen and Nils Marstein provide a comprehensive preservation strategy that may be applied in practice, taking into account different cultures and traditions. It is a timely response to the needs of the international community for guidelines for the conservation of historic timber structures, and for others wishing to develop their knowledge of the preservation of our wooden cultural heritage. The book will also help those interested in modern building practices that are compatible with sustainable development.

About this title

Review

'...the authors [have a] broad knowledge of wood preservation practices around the world and a true authority to compare and contrast these practices, which they do in this book with wit and judicious care. In a literature comprised of often diffuse collections of highly academic papers describing culturally-specific technical minutiae, this overview is absolutely unique and profound. The text is full of practical examples which conservation and building professionals will find stimulating...the phrase "an ecological approach" in the title is not a collection of trendy buzzwords included to promote crossover market sales. Considerations of appropriate technology, preservation of old-growth forests, and redevelopment of traditional craft skills are central to it's arguments, and it has truly useful and interesting insights for readers from other disciplines, including forestry, ecology, sustainable development, etc. Even though the authors are not native speakers of English, the text is clearly understandable and directly stated. The style is terse without being dense, intelligent without being academic. The authors personal enthusiasms and wit shine through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.'
Customer comment on Amazon.com
'This book will be of practical benefit to preservation carpenters, conservators, architects, engineers and building managers who either work on or care for buildings that incorporate historic joinery.'
UKIC's Conservation News

From the Publisher

Are there standard technical solutions for the repair of historic timber structures which can be applied universally? The authors demonstrate that repair methods must be geared towards the specific cultural, architectural and environmental conditions of the area where the timber structure is located.A common denominator in preservation may lie in a respect for traditional crafts and craftsmanship. This book demonstrates the mutually dependent relationship between the preservation of structures and the preservation of the craft techniques and knowledge involved in their construction. This is the main element in the ecological approach to preservation explored in this book. Historic timber structures should serve as a source of inspiration and as living evidence of ways of sustainable building practice and of the importance of understanding materials. Previous generations understood the uses and limitations of wood as a building material to a far greater degree then architects and builders do today. Traditional craft techniques used in the repair and restoration of historic buildings may also be applied in contemporary building work.The authors feel that the preservation of historic timber structures should begin in the forests, thus establishing a link between cultural heritage preservation and the sustainable use of forest resources. This ecological approach also advocates the minimum use of pesticides and other toxic substances in timber conservation.This book, together with the Wood Committee's principles, is a timely response to the needs of the international preservation community for internationally-applicable guidelines for the conservation of historic timber structures, as well as others wishing to develop their knowledge of the preservation of our wooden cultural heritage. It will also be of interest to those interested in modern building practices which are compatible with sustainable development.Knut Einar Larsen is Professor of Architectural History and Preservation at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Nils Marstein is Director General of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway. Between 1984 and 1996, they directed UNESCO's International Courses on Wood Conservation Technology, and since 1990 they have served as secretary general and president respectively of the International Wood Committee. In this book they draw on examples from their own work and from colleagues in the Wood Committee and in wider field of conservation.

Edition details

• Publisher: Architectural Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0750634340
• ISBN 13: 9780750634342
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 140