Architectural Site Conservation

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The training overseen by the University of Delaware at the Iraqi Institute is divided into two levels: Introductory (Fundamentals of Conservation) and Advanced (Conservation Treatment and Planning). The Fundamentals course gives a broad understanding of the international standards and skills in the field based on the concept of Preventive Conservation; it is better to stop damage and deterioration before it happens instead of fixing problems later. These ideas and skills can be used no matter what position the Iraqi individuals hold: conservator, collections manager, curator, archaeologist, exhibit specialist, or administrator. The Advanced course, designed for individuals who have passed the Fundamentals course with identified skills and distinction, focuses more directly on developing the knowledge of people who will work in architectural site conservation.

At the end of the Architectural Site Conservation Course, students will have the skills to conduct library and internet research on architectural conservation topics, understand the legal and policy frameworks of international conservation, utilize standard terminology for architectural conservation projects, appropriately identify and evaluate the significance of a historic building, document historic buildings using measured drawings and photographs, understand the basic materials and systems of historic buildings, identify causes of deterioration and decay in historic buildings,  recommend basic emergency stabilization procedures for historic buildings, and recommend the initial steps required to plan for future evaluations and treatments of historic buildings and sites.

The first module of the ASC Course introduces the theoretical framework of architectural conservation, and provides practical field experience in the documentation of historic buildings and structures.  Students begin the Module with an introduction to computer skills for research and presentation.  In the first Module, students receive instruction in the history of architectural conservation, as well as the legal and policy frameworks for international conservation work.  Students will also have the opportunity to learn how to conduct photographic documentation of existing buildings and structures to record their condition and document conservation efforts.  Finally, students completing the first module will have an understanding of the basic approaches to documenting built heritage using measured drawings and research methodologies.  The students are then asked to apply their newly learned skills in identifying and evaluating heritage to a one-week practicum project using a site in Erbil.

• ​Introduction to Architectural and Site Conservation / Computer Skills 
• History and Policy Frameworks of Architectural and Site Conservation 
• Introduction to AutoCAD 
• Photo-Documentation for Architectural Site Conservation 
• Architectural Site Documentation 
• Local Practicum Project 

The second module of the ASC Course introduces students to the concepts of basic stabilization treatments for historic buildings and structures, and the concepts of comprehensive site management for heritage sites.  At the end of this module, students will understand the structures, systems, and materials of traditional architecture.  They will be able to identify agents of deterioration in materials and causes of structural failure.  Students will learn emergency stabilization techniques for heritage buildings, and methods to prevent further damage and deterioration through site protection efforts.  Comprehensive site management strategies are discussed as the final topic of the module, pulling together all other ideas and lessons from the whole of the ASC Course.

• Review and Presentation of Practicum Projects
  
• Building Structures and Systems
  
• Intro to Conservation Science
  
• Intro to Materials: mud and fired brick, and stone
  
• Field Techniques: Emergency Stabilization
  
• Comprehensive Site Management
  
• Finalize Portfolios
  
• Final Presentations and Graduation