Regional Office of The National Board for Monuments and Sites Preservation

Dear colleagues,

I am happy to invite you and your colleagues to Banska Stiavnica for the International Training Course and Seminar „Lime and Lime Technologies in Built Heritage Conservation“, that will take place on September 5th – 16th, 2005.

The Training Course and Seminar will be led by a conservator-restorer, Mr. Hannes Weissenbach from the Federal Office for Monuments (BDA), Division for Building Restoration, Mauerbach, Austria.

The practical part – the Training Course (September 5th – September 16th, 2005) – is addressed for craftsmen.

Theoretical part – the Professional Seminar (September 12th – September 14th, 2005) is addressed for craftsmen, architects, engineers, conservationists and general public.

More information and APPLICATION FORM in Slovak and English language you can find and download from the www.sbs91.obnova.sk.

I am looking forward to your interest!

Katarina Voskova
Regional Office of The National Board for Monuments and Sites Preservation
(director of Regional Office)

Dolna ruzova 7
969 01 Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia
Phone: ++421-45-692 0625
Cell: ++421-903-64 61 18

e-mail: voskova@stonline.sk

IME & LIME TECHNOLOGIES IN BUILT HERITAGE CONSERVATION

Course and Seminar Context

In the present time there is, in general, a lack of trust in traditional materials and technologies in built heritage conservation. New building materials and technologies for architectural surfaces and surface finishes that are often inappropriate for use on facades and interior walls of historical buildings are heavily advertised. Their application is not always compatible with the historical surface layers and causes loss of authenticity, as well as an “artificial” appearance of surfaces. There is also a direct negative impact on technical characteristics which sometimes means irreparable destruction of cultural heritage. Craftsmen from Slovakia have limited opportunities for further training and specialization in this field.

The present course on Lime and Lime Technologies in Built Heritage Conservation is one of the outcomes of the international workshop on Materials, Techniques and Technologies in the Preservation of the Built Heritage which took place in Banská Štiavnica in May 2002, and during which besides the practical demonstrations of artisan repairs on historic buildings the Appeal of Banská Štiavnica was formulated. It calls attention to the importance of training craftsmen in conservation/restoration of the built heritage and it stresses the need to establish a relevant training center which would promote the use of appropriate materials and techniques.

With the support of internationally renown experts, the organizers plan to offer courses for craftsmen on a regular basis. The future courses will address the conservation and restoration of historical structures, decorative elements, materials and details such as plasters/renders, structural and decorative wooden elements, stone masonry, etc.).

Objectives of the Course and the Seminar:
– Assist craftsmen and historical property owners and strengthen their awareness and understanding why historic plasters/renders deserve to be preserved and conserved
– Support the use of traditional materials and technologies in repairs and restoration of historical plasters/renders.
– Strengthen the expertise of the craftsmen who carry out repairs and restoration of historical plasters/renders.
– Revitalize the use of traditional technologies in routine repairs of historical buildings.
– Encourage the public and professionals – the owners, investors, engineers – to prefer materials and techniques approved by years of practice, and to employ craftsmen with the knowledge and skills of the old masters.
– Stress the importance and appropriateness of the use of lime for the repair and restoration of historical buildings, provide the necessary relevant knowledge and skills.

Target Group:
– Practicing craftsmen
– Secondary school and university students specializing in conservation and restoration (particularly of plasters/renders)
– Architects, engineers, consultants and other professionals from Slovakia and other countries
– Owners of historic buildings
– General public, residents of Banská Štiavnica.

Course Language:
The official laguages of the course and seminar will be Slovak and English. Interpretation both ways will be provided.

Course Timing:
Monday 5th to Friday 16th September 2005