Architecture is everywhere. All you have to do is look around and you’ll see man made objects. The buildings and other designs you see are architecture.

Of course, not all buildings are stunning to look at, but they all tell a story and reflect the culture of the period they were built in.

While every building has one main architect, it’s highly unlikely that they created the entire building by themselves. Hundreds of people are involved and influence the final design, illustrating the cultural effect on buildings.

Structures are built according to beliefs. For example, the Ancient Egyptians held their rulers in extremely high regard, hence they beat the pyramids as resting places. In contrast, the Industrial Revolution brought rational standards, illustrated by the use of steel and glass.

Throughout this, one thing has stayed consistent. The desire to build something that lasts forever. That’s part of the reason many structures have gold coatings. It’s durable and makes them stand out for all the right reasons.

It just requires a specialist in gold, such as manetti.com, an Italian Goldbeater which has been helping to create works of art for centuries.

Restoration techniques

No matter how well-built the building is, there is a time when it will need to be restored. Here are the most effective architectural restoration techniques.

Identify the materials used

The first step in any architectural restoration is to identify the material being used. It’s more than just saying brick. For example, the bricks which made the pyramids are created out of limestone. In contrast, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is made of granite.

Even the finishing material can be different. For example, gold leaf can be our gold or it can be gold mixed with other metals. It’s essential to know the right mix as it will affect the final colour.

Without identifying the materials used, you will never be able to restore the building to what it was.

Replicate the original process

Having identified the material used, the second stage is to replicate the original building process. Again, using gold leaf as an example will generally mean flattening it by hand as opposed to using machinery. There are only a few qualified goldbeaters left in the world!

Understanding the building, its surroundings, and how it was originally created will help you restore it properly.

Survey

Buildings in need of restoration have historic and cultural significance. They have been in existence for many years, but that doesn’t mean they are still stable.

Modern weather patterns and pollution can affect them. Before the restoration process begins you need to verify the structural stability of the building.

Treat

The treatment stage is when the building is returned to new. What this stage involves will depend on what you are dealing with.

Some buildings need a deep clean, which means removing all the layers of paint. It needs to be done by hand to prevent damage to the walls.

In other cases, the building materials may be damaged by erosion or some other issue. This is likely to need building skills to restore the damaged areas.

Summing up

The bottom line is simple. Every building is different. Whether it’s a box-shaped skyscraper or a stunning palace with a gold leaf roof.

The most effective architectural restoration techniques revolve around identifying the culture and materials associated with a building and then using the same materials to repair the damage.

It’s a painstaking but extremely rewarding job.