Sponsorship Update

We are grateful for the continued support we are receiving from industry and have now received sponsorship from a further two companies:

Fleming Masonry Contractors Ltd

Masons Mortar

Do get in touch if you would like to offer your support.

Sponsorship

I am very grateful to the many companies and organisations who have already provided sponsorship for my attendance on this prestigious course:

ARPL Architects

Building Conservation Directory

Craigleith Masonry Co. Ltd.

EBS Construction

Fife Council

Graeme Brown Stonemasons

Hutton Stone Co. Ltd.

Laing Traditional Masonry Ltd

Lime Centre Ltd

Stone Engineering Ltd

Tradstocks Ltd.

Many more have pledged their support and we are still looking for further sponsors to offset the cost of this course for the Scottish Lime Centre Trust. Please get in touch if you think you may be able to help or if you would like further information.

Course Organisers / Partners

ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)

Getty Conservation Institute, United States

UNESCO Venice Office - Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe

Course Objectives

The course adopts a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach and is designed for professionals involved in the conservation of historic stone structures and artifacts. The primary goal of the course is to improve the practice of stone conservation internationally by providing participants with a holistic understanding of the decay and deterioration of stone, disseminating effective conservation methodologies, and ensuring a practical understanding of appropriate repair methods and long-term management strategies. Through lectures, discussions, laboratory sessions, demonstrations, site visits and field exercises, participants will discuss both the fundamental theories of conservation as well as consider how advances in technology and research have influenced practical approaches as they pertain to all phases of stone conservation. Group fieldwork exercises at a worksite will provide participants with the opportunity to address actual work scenarios where multidisciplinary solutions and collaboration are required. Throughout the course, participants will be encouraged to draw upon their collective expertise from various specializations to help them arrive at more effective conservation solutions.

International Course on Stone Conservation Background

In many regions of the world stone was historically the predominant material used for building and artistic purposes. Accordingly, the conservation and maintenance of architectural and decorative stone is a core activity in such regions. Factors such as climate change, pollution, use demands, lack of maintenance, and inappropriate past treatments present challenges for the conservation of stone buildings, structures and objects. In addition to these factors, the decline in traditional building techniques, craft practices and repair methods is also threatening our ability to sustain stone structures and objects into the future. These conservation issues require a multidisciplinary approach that involves professionals, craftspeople, policy makers and owners.

The International Course on Stone Conservation was created in 1976, and 16 courses have successfully been conducted between then and 2009 in Venice, Italy. The recently relaunched course, which will take place in Rome in 2011, reflects advances in practice, science, and technology, including the integration of practical methodologies for stone conservation on sites, buildings and structures.