Complex and interesting tasks combined in teaching
The Conservation and Restoration of Stone Objects and Architectural Surfaces combines two previously separate courses of study in Conservation and Restoration: Wall Painting/ Architectural Surfaces and Stone and Ceramics.
The conservation and restoration tasks that most frequently arise in the preservation of historical monuments can be assigned to the field of mineral materials and also include construction management tasks. "Conservation and Restoration of Stone Objects and Architectural Surfaces" considers these tasks in the training of restorers in two consecutive courses of study (Bachelor and Master). In terms of content, it deals with all kinds of cultural products made of natural stone or artificial stone, in particular sculptures, possibly with colouring and architectural surfaces, i.e. facades and room surfaces, for which a wide variety of materials have been used and which have been designed using various crafts and artistic techniques, such as:
- Single- and multi-layered brickwork made of quarry stone, cut stone, brick;
- Walls made of clay, concrete or natural stone;
- Wall and ceiling designs made of mineral materials such as plasters and slurries, if necessary, with paint and painting, sgraffiti, reliefs, stucco, if necessary, with coloured finishes, stucco marble, scagliola, mosaic;
- Wall claddings made of stone slabs and ceramic tiles;
- Floor coverings made of stone slabs, ceramic tiles, screed or terrazzo;
- Mural paintings in their material, technical and creative diversity.
These cultural artefacts must be examined, documented, analysed and interpreted in terms of their material condition, artistic design and state of preservation in order to develop and implement optimal conservation strategies, conservation and restoration methods and techniques in line with best practice in state-of-the-art research. In addition to interventions in the material substance, this also includes preventive conservation measures such as, for example, recording and, if necessary, changing the climate, establishing monitoring strategies and systematic maintenance and care of the buildings and their surfaces as sustainable and cost-saving measures to preserve the substance.
With us you can expect an exciting and varied course of study. Both on smaller objects and in international research projects, we deal intensively with historical cultural assets and develop innovative strategies for their preservation.