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Building Research and Preservation of Cultural Heritage I
Bauforschung und Denkmalpflege I
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:24:58
Abstract
The polytechnic tradition of preservation of cultural heritage lies in connecting theory with building research and history. Preservation is regarded as a research area and taught as an interdisciplinary subject. The lecture will give an overview of the entire subject, ranging from knowledge of historical architecture, constructions, and techniques to methods of analysis and research problems.
Objective
The goal of the two-semester lecture (including exercises) is to bring students of architecture into a first contact with the complexity of methods of the subject (comprising aspects of humanities, engineering and natural sciences). This entails demonstrating the opportunities and limitations of interdisciplinary work, conveying an understanding of dynamics and long-term problems of existing buildings, and sensitizing students to problems related to maintaining the value of cultural heritage.
Content
• “Long-term artifacts:” time and durability in the building industry • The imaginary museum of world architecture • Memory, remembrance, disappearance, probabilities of survival • Construction knowledge: theories and techniques of historical construction methods • Aims and methods of analysis and documentation of artifacts • Image-creating processes; abstraction through reduction • Grammar of historical architecture, the history of historic building research • Losses of knowledge and techniques • Theory formation in preservation of historical monuments • Life cycles of structures and buildings; opportunities for a long-term maintenance of value • “Building within the Existing” as a topic in the training of architects • Exemplary research problems and interdisciplinary projects
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , DS
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Bauforschung und Denkmalpflege I |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
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