Centre for Architectural conservation

The Centre for Architectural Conservation was formed within the Bundesdenkmalamt (the Austrian Federal Office for the Care of Monuments) as a central department for historic building crafts in 1984. Its organizational form ensures a close interface of continuing education of various professional groups working in architectural preservation with the guidelines of monuments preservation as well as with the necessary hands-on experience.
The purpose of the Centre was redefined in 1995 to include:

The research into and testing of conservation and restoration methods and technologies for architectural preservation, especially in the areas of building materials (stone, brick, wood, etc.); building preservation (statics, deterioration processes, historic technology); architectural surfaces (historic renders, stucco, plasterwork, architectural sculpture, frescoes, scrafitti, etc.); building trades and crafts (stone-masonry, metal-working, carpentry and cabinet-making); window construction and interior decoration (especially floor coverings, paneling, wallpapers, stoves, etc.); the production of samples as well as model and experimental restorations in the former Carthusian Monastery at Mauerbach; matters of special interest to building research within the framework of monuments preservation and dissemination of specialized information.

Documentation and evaluation of building materials used in architectural preservation, and of the means, methods, restoration measures and replacement materials used as a result of close contact with manufacturers, building trades and industry; specialist consultation with other departments of the Bundesdenkmalamt as well as with owners and administrators of architectural monuments.

Awareness of the Office's didactic function, especially in terms of architectural conservation training and continuing education for conservators, architects, civil servants in building administration and Bundesdenkmalamt staff; in the same manner training and further education for building trades and crafts; creation, organization and implementation of courses, seminars and practical sessions in cooperation with national and international organizations.

The establishment of a technical collection and permanent display of historic building crafts and techniques, tools and materials, including periodic workshops and demonstrations.

Maintainance of a central material repository, including building salvage materials (construction materials, a Iapidarium (collection of stone specimens) and a collection of plaster casts; archival storage of the BDA 's collection of medieval frescoes and stained glass.

A national and international contact for specialized information, documentation and research.

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