ICCROM Course: Wooden Architecture Conservation and Restoration

The Kizhi Open Air Museum in the Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation, will host an international training course entitled "Wooden Architecture Conservation and Restoration" between 26 August and 14 September 2019. The event is held in partnership with ICCROM - International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, the UNESCO Chair on "Wooden Architecture Research and Preservation" at the Petrozavodsk State University, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Background

The Russian North is a treasury of wooden architecture. The unique tradition of vernacular wood construction has been highly developed and preserved there, and rich experience in wooden architecture conservation has been accumulated. The main part of the course “Wooden architecture conservation and restoration” will be held in the largest open air museum of Russia, the Kizhi museum, the collection of which includes 83 wooden architecture monuments. The basis of the museum collection is the UNESCO WHS Kizhi Pogost (XVIII- XIX cc.). Currently, the Kizhi Open Air Museum is carrying out the unique restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration built in 1714. The works are being carried out using the unique technology (step-by-step lifting and disassembly of the walls) developed taking into account the complicated configuration of the structure. Following the recommendations of ICOMOS and UNESCO experts, restorers of the Kizhi museum share their unique experience with the purpose to preserve wooden architecture in Russia and in the world.

Goals and objectives

The course goal is to disseminate professional knowledge in the field of conservation and restoration and prepare participants for practical work on wooden architecture conservation in their countries. Objectives include the following:

introducing the features of Russian wooden architecture and carpentry traditions;
training in wooden architecture monitoring and maintenance techniques;
providing knowledge and practical skills on traditional and modern wooden architecture restoration techniques.

Methodology

The course is a three-week intensive programme combining theory and practice. It includes visiting the most interesting wooden architecture monuments in Karelia, introducing the unique Church of the Transfiguration restoration project, and participating in lectures and workshops on wooden architecture monitoring, conservation and restoration. Classes are conducted by experts of the Kizhi museum as well as Russian and foreign experts of educational, scientific and restoration organizations having the unique knowledge and practical experience in the field of wooden architecture monitoring, conservation and restoration. The main sections of the programme are as follows:

Wooden architecture as an art form. Wooden monuments – UNESCO World Heritage sites. Features of Russian wooden architecture. Architectural ensembles in the Russian North.
Wood as a construction material. Search and harvesting of restoration material. Protection of wood. Dendrochronology.
Cultural heritage study and preservation. Conservation, preventive maintenance, and comprehensive monitoring of wooden architecture. Field classes.
Traditional carpentry. Carpentry and joinery tools. Workshops. Constructive features of wooden architecture, details and units.
Wooden architecture restoration. Restoration of the Church of Transfiguration. Analysis of restoration projects. Workshops.

All participants are expected to make a 15-minute presentation on their professional activities. The total course programme consists of 144 hours including workshops and lectures, field classes, presentations of participants, independent work with educational materials, and preparation for the exam. A written test will be held in the end of the course. The working languages of the course are English and Russian.