Conservation of Heritage Buildings and the Role of Architect

Cultural heritage is a rich and diverse mosaic of tangible and intangible assets, inherited from past generations. As part of the tangible heritage, historic buildings are standing witnesses of the time, culture, and people who created them, and as such, are perhaps the most remarkable and deserve special devotion and treatment. The meaning and the treatment of cultural heritage through history have been constantly exposed to changes, but in the last century, it finally took its rightful place. Protection of cultural heritage is a multidisciplinary task that combines traditions with modern techniques and involves professionals from different fields. The aim of safeguarding heritage is to maintain its authenticity and preserve its material and semantic values. Therefore, any process conservation should be based on a clear concept that requires minimum intervention. This paper aims to present the key steps in every conservation process, primarily through the coordinating role of the architect. It highlights not only that the architects need to develop a wide array of skills and knowledge to carry out any work on historical buildings and sites but also that an architect has an essential role in identifying the potential challenges and opportunities of historic buildings, extending its lifetime and enhancing the values.