Course content

The course provides an introduction to theory and methods for describing and practically investigating heritage buildings and environments. Through fieldwork, exercises in archival research and interviews, as well as an introduction to building archaeology, students learn to understand the building both as it is today and as it has been throughout history.

The emphasis is on documenting physical and material characteristics, history, and cultural value, as well as assessing technical condition. This establishes a knowledge base that can be used in planning interventions and changes in existing buildings.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE:

• The student shall be familiar with the theoretical foundations of cultural heritage conservation, value assessment, and justification.
• The student shall have knowledge of various manual and digital methods for building measurement.

SKILLS:

• The student shall be able to carry out measurement and documentation of a building.
• The student shall be able to present and communicate complex material gathered through fieldwork and archival research in a systematic and understandable way, using illustrations and text.
• The student shall be able to prepare a basic technical condition analysis based on material and building physics knowledge.
• The student shall be able to conduct basic archival research on buildings.

GENERAL COMPETENCE:

• The student has a fundamental understanding of existing buildings as resources and can recognize their values, functional qualities, and limitations.
• The student can collaborate in interdisciplinary groups and assess tasks from a cross-disciplinary perspective.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching is based on archival research and field studies of existing building environments. Guidance and lectures are provided throughout the course to support relevant topics and issues. Students conduct field studies in interdisciplinary groups and submit group reports as the course conclusion.

Mandatory activities:

• Fieldwork and group work

Compulsory assignments

• Field work and group work

Recommended previous knowledge

Interest for, but not necessarily experience with, preservation and use of existing buildings/built heritage.

Required previous knowledge

Applicants must have general university admission certification (generell studiekompetanse) and a relevant vocational or journeyman’s certificate (fag- eller svennebrev), or equivalent competence. Applicants who do not meet the Higher Education Entrance Qualification may apply based on prior learning and work experience.

Relevant vocational certificates in this context include:

• Carpenter
• Joinery trades, such as: cooper, wooden boat builder, model builder, cabinetmaker, organ builder, wood turner, wood carver, joiner
• Forestry and timber trades, such as: forestry operator, skilled operator in timber processing
• Painter
• Smith
• Bricklayer
• Stonemason
• Sheet metal worker

If you do not hold a relevant trade or journeyman’s certificate, extensive relevant work experience in crafts and/or building conservation may compensate for this. In such cases, you must document the duration of employment or project participation, your role, and the tasks you consider relevant in your application.

The program in building conservation and restoration is a practical continuing education program in the crafts. Applicants should therefore have education and/or work experience primarily focused on the practical execution of craft work within the building trades and/or heritage conservation.

If you are unsure whether your background is relevant for this program, please contact the student advisor.

Course materials

Curriculum

Credit reductions