6.2 Authenticity and strengthening

6.2 Authenticity and Strengthening

The discussion here correlates the aspects of authenticity with the structural parameters. Identification of critical parameters is not enough to proceed with the decision of intervention. Hence, concluding the thesis without addressing on the core concept of authenticity would be incomplete. The discussion here aims to introduce the way forward for approaching the conservation project. Many scholars and researchers have interpreted and refined the concept of authenticity from the NARA document of 1994. According to Jukka Jokhilehto –“Authenticity can be understood as a condition of the heritage resource, and can be defined in the artistic, historical and cultural dimensions of this resource. These dimensions can be seen in relation to the aesthetic, structural and functional form of the object or site, in relation to its material and technology, as well as in relation to its physical and socio-cultural context.” Authenticity is based on the concept of truthfulness while conserving a structure. It can also be understood as the manifestation of the values associated with the heritage structure. The set of authenticity criteria is defined by 5 parameters (Alho, Morais, A., Mendes, J., & Galvão, A. ) –1. Material/substance 2. Design 3. Worksmanship 4. Function/use 5. Setting However structurally the authenticity is function of three elements (Attar, 1991)1. Authenticity of materials 2. Authenticity of construction system 3. Authenticity of construction methods The important discussion that emerges here is how much ‘change’ while conserving the structure is ‘authentic’, which respects the values associated. The question is more significant when the intervention is structural like strengthening the existing elements.

Authenticity Materials

The material used in original or period construction Basic elements of historic property

Assemblage of materials that combine one or more building elements and ultimately a complete structure

Techniques, tools and process used to prepare and assemble material and systems. Ability of structure to carry its own weight and other imposed loads

Function of the useful life of a material or system over time

Construction System Strength

Durability

Construction Methods Structure

Figure 117 Functions of authenticity and strength and durability, Reference source - (Attar, 1991)

Any conservation program will include certain degree of intervention30. For structural intervention there are four broad categories in order of increasing intervention –1. Stabilisation 2. Consolidation 3. Restoration 4. Reconstruction

Figure 118 Stability v/s Authenticity graph, Source - (Attar, 1991)

The theoretical graph here represents the relation between stability and authenticity. The point of intersection is the ideal condition for balancing the two, which is restoration zone. However, this approach is introduced here to highlight the fact that while doing structural

30 Intervention - Intervention is the physical work per- formed on an historic property as part of its conservation program. It can be as simple as routine mainte- nance or as complex as complete re- construction.