Restorer architect: pros and cons, necessary knowledge and training

A restoration architect is an excellent choice of profession for those who like not only to touch beauty, create and feel like a creative person, but also for lovers of resuscitation of art objects. This specialist helps to restore the building to its former appearance, to revive what was supposed to destroy time.

An architect-restorer is a qualified specialist who can deal with architectural design, is able to carry out all work regarding space-planning and interior solutions.

A dangerous delusion awaiting those who are still engaged in the choice of a profession, to think that it all consists of pure creativity. This is not true: The architect-restorer is engaged in both creativity and technical work. Moreover, the last component is no less than creativity.

Advantages of the profession:

• good ones experts in this field are very valuableThey receive many orders and do not complain about demand and salaries;
• the opportunity to work not only in the office (many specialists work remotely, combining such activities with on-site visits);
• there is little routine in this profession, each object is like a new book for a writer, each time it is a completely different story;
• this one is great profession for people who want a union of technology and creativity.

Disadvantages of the profession:

• finding a job in a small town can be difficult;
• for this profession you definitely need to have a calling, inclinations, abilities;
• for very sociable people, it can be a burden - the specialist works with the project, contacts with colleagues are minimal.

The requirements for a person who claims to be a restoration architect cannot be called modest. This should be a broad-minded person, with good analytical skills, the ability to build hypotheses and work with them.

Professionally significant skills, knowledge, qualities:

• outstanding creativity;
• developed artistic taste;
• knowledge of art history, cultural studies;
• structured memory;
• developed spatial, critical thinking;
• willingness to learn, learn new professional programs;
• good concentration.

Already during the practice of the restoration architect, as a rule, specialization appears. It is difficult to equally successfully restore the palace of the 18th century, furniture from the time of Nicholas II and the construction of the Stalin era. Each specialist has to decide on the narrow direction that will become his specialization.

The main function of the restoration architect is the restoration of architectural monuments. The specialist painstakingly studies archival materials, develops and conducts projects that will recreate the general appearance of the building. The architect participates in the actual restoration work. His participation is also expected in deciding how the restored building will be operated. It should be noted that modern restoration is based on a strictly scientific approach. The task of specialists working in this industry is to understand the idea of ​​the one who built this or that building, to correlate this plan with the technical capabilities and building materials of that era.

The demand for restoration is growing today, but the region where the specialist will work is very important. Until now, architects-restorers are akin to piece goods. Nevertheless, an architectural and historical object, part of the cultural heritage, falls into their hands. The job description of the architect-restorer describes the list of tasks to which the employer can attract him.

Work on the restoration involves a number of stages:

• long, detailed research work in library collections and archives;
• study of the building, the implementation of careful measurements, analysis of the construction of walls, roofs, foundations, etc .;
• designing a project;
• organization of restoration work with the implementation of the functions of a manager.

For career dynamics in this profession requires practical experience. As a rule, several specialists work at large facilities. And if a person becomes the leader of this group, it really can be perceived as a great career achievement. Many architects and restorers have academic ranks, degrees, and they often combine their practical activities with teaching.

The average entrant has a choice of where to go. For those who want to play it safe and understand whether his choice is really correct, first it makes sense to graduate from college. Studying at the art and graphic departments, practice makes it possible to understand whether the student chose the direction. And with such a base it is easier to enter a university.

What kind of university can it be?

• Kazan Federal University.
• Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture I. Glazunov.
• MGHPA them. S. Stroganova and others.

If someone romantically calls the work of the restoration architect “magic”, he will be, in a sense, right.