Building Preservation and Archive Studies

Preservation of older buildings is central in the field of cultural heritage management. Conflicts often arise on questions about preservation. Older buildings can have a complicated past both as regards the history and use of the building and as regards property rights. The best possible knowledge of the building's history is important in deciding the future of the building.

This course has a general part and a part concentrated on project work on particular buildings. The general part shall provide knowledge of different types of sources on building history and property history, and further give knowledge on archives and their organization and search techniques. The project part shall provide skills in searching and using sources on building history and assessing preservation value of a building on the basis of accessible information. The course shall also give training in communicating with other professionals within the field of building preservation.

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge
The candidate has knowledge
- of different types of sources on building history and property history
- of the organization of archives and of search techniques
- of archive and research ethics.

Skills
The candidate has
- skills in searching, interpreting and analyzing sources on history of buildings
- skills in assessing preservation value of a building on the basis of accessible information
- on the basis of project work experience in communicating with other professionals within the field of building preservation.

Lectures, archive studies and project work. Further information will be given at the beginning of the term.