Monu­ment Pre­ser­va­tion Man­age­ment (M.Sc.)

The preservation of buildings is currently becoming a major focus for architects, with a fundamental distinction being made between two areas: firstly, the maintenance of monuments - which requires a thorough understanding of historical constructions and their structural methodology - and secondly, design and construction as a continuous communication process whose quality lies in the dialog with the site and its history. Research into existing features takes precedence over the preservation and conscientious restoration of a monument. Knowledge can be gained here that is important for future planning and cost-oriented restoration. However, we are not only looking for specialists for the planning of restoration/renovation/reconstruction, but also for construction management in monument conservation.

Within urban planning, the main focus is on the preservation of architectural structures and the preservation of identity-forming characteristics such as urban design, the embedding in the landscape, the course and location of streets and squares as well as the preservation of individual important buildings. At the same time, cities must meet the new challenges of traffic, transportation, supply and waste management. Historic structures must therefore be continuously integrated into newly emerging infrastructure in order to meet the demands of the present and function properly. Stagnation can lead to decline within urban districts. The focus within urban development must be on the whole without neglecting individual aspects.

The conservation of historic gardens is the discipline responsible for the preservation and restoration of the historic landscape. A garden monument consists mainly of the interplay of biological matter (plants) and paths/path relationships as well as visual axes. The monument is therefore subject to constant change. Its appearance depends on the changing seasons and natural development as well as decay. Managing such a task requires specialist knowledge in the fields of landscape design and cultural heritage protection. The search for buried traces of a historic garden lies in the realm of Archaeological Heritage Administration; the restoration of park architecture is a task for those who have studied both Landscape Architecture and Monument Preservation Management.

In Monument Preservation Management, interior design sees itself as a mediator between yesterday and today. Through the interplay of the visible and tangible quality of the room shell and furnishings, a monument can be experienced from the inside. Room acoustics, light/lighting conditions and the further development of a structural approach, e.g. through the design concept of furniture/objects or a lighting concept, are just as important as the choice of colors and materials with the right accentuation.

Designing new extensions for an old building/monument, Designing in old buildings and monuments: e.g. (adaptive) reuse

In terms of Architecture documentation, photographic surveying plays an important role in mapping outbuildings and their true color rendering. A thorough photographic representation is crucial for an as-built survey and all further steps in the documentation and planning process. In architectural research and restoration, digital images in particular are widely accepted as photographic documentation of condition. Long-term archiving and storage options also play a central role in the preservation of cultural heritage, architectural research and archaeology. Photography makes it possible to view the historical condition of a building and compare it directly with the current state of the building as well as the stages of the building throughout history. Without photography, this comparison would be almost impossible.

Digital technologies allow different types of media and sources (such as illustrations, plans, archival records, etc.) for historical building research in the history of art and architecture and Monument Preservation Management to be linked together to create interactive maps, virtual tours or 3D models for scientific evaluations. 3D models thus open up a new area of application in the field of cultural heritage conservation. In this respect, visualization can be used for many purposes, for example for building-related documentation, analyses in art history and the identification of endangered areas within the structure.

Children ask themselves "Who am I? Where do I come from?". They want to know something about "old" times. The best way to quench the youngest children's thirst for knowledge is through picture stories. Comics bring history to life and bring it to life. In addition to an exciting story, knowledge is also conveyed through these pictures. The illustrator teaches and entertains through his drawings. Such comics are often used as teaching material in school lessons.

Measuring and documenting the general condition of a building forms the basis of all planning. The more accurately the existing property is surveyed, the more soundly based the implementation of refurbishment, restoration and renovation measures will be. State-of-the-art surveying hardware such as electronic tachometers and GPS instruments are used for the basic survey. Using 3D models from the previously created point clouds will open up a new area of application in the field of cultural heritage conservation. In this respect, these models can be used for many purposes, such as building-related documentation, art history analysis and the identification of vulnerable areas within the structure.

With historic buildings, it is often difficult to determine which historic construction method was used and / or which technique should be used to restore and preserve these historic buildings. In order to fully record the historic building stock and thus ensure the long-term structural integrity of a building, technical expertise is crucial. The increased demand for surveys of historic buildings during construction has increased the need for technical expertise. Inspections resulting from non-invasive credits are not only a perfectly effective alternative to invasive methods, but often offer the only way to obtain information vital to the conservation process.

Monument Preservation Management requires craftsmen who know how to handle historical objects with care. For every raw material - whether wood, stone, metal or glass - there are experts who are responsible for professional restoration. The basic principles underlying conservation are taught as part of a master's degree program in Heritage Management/ Monument Preservation Management so that students can enter into dialogue with experienced craftsmen in their future careers, collaborate on concepts for the preservation of cultural heritage, advise clients and evaluate issues and measures relating to the conservation of a monument.

The traditional field of activity in a museum context includes collection, conservation, research, exhibition and archiving as well as logistics. These are among the professional fields of Monument Preservation Management graduates. This profession requires graduates who are characterized above all by sound knowledge in a specific area of museology, art and architectural history as well as a good university degree and who can work and communicate at a high academic level. Career fields fall into Administration - as a director, exhibition designer, librarian, museum educator or monument conservationist. Museums play an important role in our society, and those who work in museums must have a sound education in order to protect and preserve history.

The task of promoting public awareness and acceptance for the preservation of monuments and the conservation of cultural heritage is enshrined in all laws on the protection of cultural heritage. In this context, advertising and publications see themselves as "goal-oriented mediators"; it is part of the political mandate of the authorities responsible for monuments in the Federal Republic of Germany. "Media-related" heritage conservationists require competencies and skills in the field of academic communication, as they act as mediators between research and information-based society.

There is much discussion in the contemporary advertising industry about historical monuments, as the monument as a brand or product is controversial. Since monuments have become part of the inventory of associations and foundations, it has been possible to use them to effectively advertise one's own goals. At the same time, Monument Preservation Management also needs good advertising concepts to emphasize the importance of a monument or to generate donations. We must protect our historical treasures from being forgotten. In the best case scenario, historical monuments are brought back to life. Concepts and strategies need to be developed and promoted, accompanied by publications, events, trade fairs and exhibitions.

In Europe, there are countless "traditional" jobs/positions related to the preservation of cultural heritage in the public sector. The authorities regulate entry requirements relatively strictly. To get a job in the senior civil service - the category for people with academic qualifications in the public sector (state museums, national heritage agencies/ bodies, universities) - you usually need to have a PhD; non-state institutions (e.g. municipal or private museums) have softened their stance on this issue to some extent.

More than just publishing the latest research results in Monument Preservation Management, (art) history and archaeology as a print medium or in digital form, but also in audiovisual form.

Research and archiving are among the most important areas of cultural heritage preservation. The humanities lay the foundations for an understanding of our culture. Interdisciplinary research plays an important role in the field of cultural heritage preservation and is inextricably linked to it. The results feed into the work of journalists and are published in journals and books to raise awareness of these issues. Employers include the public Administration, museums, archives, universities, companies in the media and information industry, associations and institutions.