This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2025-2026
Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
The aim of this course is to provide an in-depth exploration of restoration theories and their practical applications. It is designed for students seeking to deepen their understanding of this discipline and develop a strong ethical foundation for engaging with projects in the built environment.
Course Topics:
The emergence and evolution of the notion of heritage (and heritages), conservation, restoration, and reallocation,
From principles to normative frameworks: critical analysis of charters and other reference documents,
Critical examination of concepts such as authenticity, reversibility, and integrated conservation,
Overview of institutions responsible for heritage protection and enhancement.
Course Topics:
- Heritage Philosophy
The emergence and evolution of the notion of heritage (and heritages), conservation, restoration, and reallocation,
From principles to normative frameworks: critical analysis of charters and other reference documents,
Critical examination of concepts such as authenticity, reversibility, and integrated conservation,
Overview of institutions responsible for heritage protection and enhancement.
- Methodology of Preliminary Analyses; focus on building archaeology as a multidisciplinary approach that synthesizes insights essential for developing meaningful projects,
- Heritage and Architectural Creation; application of contemporary ethical frameworks and analysis of evolving practices in heritage and architectural design.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
Specific Learning OutcomesBy the end of this course, students will be able to:
General Learning OutcomesIn line with the program’s learning outcomes (LOs), this course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following LOs:
|
|
Content
Theoretical courses, site visits, and practical exercises structured around the following themes:
Heritage Ethics:
These presentations will connect the notions of heritage ethics and restoration project methodology through concrete case studies in which preliminary studies played a foundational role in project development.
Expected speakers:
Heritage Ethics:
- “Heritage Ecosystem”: tangible, intangible, and natural heritage; the roles of national and supranational institutions; heritage values and modes of protection; general methodology of projects “on” and “with” the existing built environment.
- The “notion of heritage” from Antiquity to the present day; the evolving consideration given over the centuries by our predecessors to built and non-built objects. The emergence of the concept of Historic Monuments and of restoration as a discipline in its own right. Emphasis will be placed on key authors and their contexts, such as Alberti, Poggio Bracciolini, Spon, Montfaucon, Nodier & Taylor, Mérimée, Viollet-le-Duc, Ruskin, Boito, and Brandi, later followed by the ICOMOS charters.
- Key insights into the emergence of the concept of urban heritage will be provided in relation to the transformation of cities since the Industrial Revolution.
- Heritage as a response to the challenges of sustainability and energy transition.
These presentations will connect the notions of heritage ethics and restoration project methodology through concrete case studies in which preliminary studies played a foundational role in project development.
Expected speakers:
- Laurent Deléhouzée (building archaeologist at AWaP): Tournai Cathedral and the Pont des Trous;
- Romuald Casier (Heritage Architect): professional experiences in restoration practice.
- The relationship between existing buildings and contemporary projects, through case analysis, linking ethics with project practice on and with the existing built environment.
- The integration of contemporary techniques into existing structures, in relation to the heritage values of the built environment and the opportunities and limitations they reveal.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures,
Presentations by guest speakers,
Visits (site visits) to emblematic heritage buildings,
Supervisory session on the progress of the written assignment
Presentations by guest speakers,
Visits (site visits) to emblematic heritage buildings,
Supervisory session on the progress of the written assignment
Evaluation methods
The assessment consists of a written research and analysis paper, to be completed individually or in pairs, and submitted via Moodle at the beginning of the examination period.
As a general rule, the same grade is awarded to all members of the group, unless the examiners observe a disproportion in contributions (e.g., repeated absences, insufficient participation in group work). In such cases, the examiners reserve the right to assign an individual grade to the student concerned.
This assignment constitutes 100% of the final grade and is evaluated collectively.
The same assessment procedure applies during the resit session.
Should generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools be employed, their use must remain responsible and fully compliant with the principles of academic and scientific integrity.
Accordingly, any use of generative AI inconsistent with the permitted practices outlined in the course description shall be deemed an irregularity under Article 107 of the RGEE (i.e., non-personal work produced by the student in the context of an assessment).
As a general rule, the same grade is awarded to all members of the group, unless the examiners observe a disproportion in contributions (e.g., repeated absences, insufficient participation in group work). In such cases, the examiners reserve the right to assign an individual grade to the student concerned.
This assignment constitutes 100% of the final grade and is evaluated collectively.
The same assessment procedure applies during the resit session.
Should generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools be employed, their use must remain responsible and fully compliant with the principles of academic and scientific integrity.
Accordingly, any use of generative AI inconsistent with the permitted practices outlined in the course description shall be deemed an irregularity under Article 107 of the RGEE (i.e., non-personal work produced by the student in the context of an assessment).
Online resources
The materials for the theoretical courses will be made available on MOODLE progressively as the lectures are delivered.
Bibliography
BABELON, J.P., CHASTEL, A., La notion de Patrimoine, Paris, Liana Levi, 1994
BERCE, F., Viollet-le-Duc, MONUM, Editions du Patrimoine, Paris, 2014
BOITO, C. Conserver ou restaurer (1893), Besançon, Editions de l’imprimeur, 2000
BOLLE, C., COURA, G. & LEOTARD, J.-M. (dir), L’archéologie des bâtiments en question. Un outil pour les connaître, les conserver et les restaurer. Actes du colloque international Liège les 9 et 10 novembre 2010, Etudes et Documents, Archéologie 35, Ministère de la Région Wallonne, Namur, 2014.
BRANDI, C., Théorie de la Restauration (1964), Paris, Monum, Editions du Patrimoine, 2001
CHOAY, Fr., L’allégorie du Patrimoine, Paris, Seuil, 1992 – 1999
CHOAY, Fr., Le patrimoine en questions – Paris, Seuil, 2009
CRAMER, J., BREITLING, S., Architecture in existing fabric, Basel, Birkhäuser, 2007
GIOVANNONI, G., L’urbanisme face aux villes anciennes (1931), Paris, Seuil, 1998
MONUMENTAL, revue scientifique et technique des monuments historiques, Conservation, restauration : La charte de Venise, Paris, Editions du patrimoine, semestriel 2 2021
MOUTON, B. Sens et renaissances du patrimoine architectural, Éditions des Cendres / Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine, Paris, 2018
RIEGL, A. Le Culte moderne des monuments (1903), Paris, Seuil, 1984
RUSKIN, J., les sept lampes de l’architecture (1849), Clamecy, Klincksieck, 2008
BERCE, F., Viollet-le-Duc, MONUM, Editions du Patrimoine, Paris, 2014
BOITO, C. Conserver ou restaurer (1893), Besançon, Editions de l’imprimeur, 2000
BOLLE, C., COURA, G. & LEOTARD, J.-M. (dir), L’archéologie des bâtiments en question. Un outil pour les connaître, les conserver et les restaurer. Actes du colloque international Liège les 9 et 10 novembre 2010, Etudes et Documents, Archéologie 35, Ministère de la Région Wallonne, Namur, 2014.
BRANDI, C., Théorie de la Restauration (1964), Paris, Monum, Editions du Patrimoine, 2001
CHOAY, Fr., L’allégorie du Patrimoine, Paris, Seuil, 1992 – 1999
CHOAY, Fr., Le patrimoine en questions – Paris, Seuil, 2009
CRAMER, J., BREITLING, S., Architecture in existing fabric, Basel, Birkhäuser, 2007
GIOVANNONI, G., L’urbanisme face aux villes anciennes (1931), Paris, Seuil, 1998
MONUMENTAL, revue scientifique et technique des monuments historiques, Conservation, restauration : La charte de Venise, Paris, Editions du patrimoine, semestriel 2 2021
MOUTON, B. Sens et renaissances du patrimoine architectural, Éditions des Cendres / Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine, Paris, 2018
RIEGL, A. Le Culte moderne des monuments (1903), Paris, Seuil, 1984
RUSKIN, J., les sept lampes de l’architecture (1849), Clamecy, Klincksieck, 2008
Faculty or entity
