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The knowledge and expertise developed by conservation professionals
is not limited to the treatment of works of art and historic objects;
it also extends to the built environment. In May 1997, the Heritage
Conservation Program of Public Works and Government Services Canada
(PWGSC) asked the experts at CCI for help in the preparation of
one component of a multi-year refurbishment and restoration program
for Parliament Hill.
CCI's role was to assist in the development of conservation design
guidelines for the interior of the Centre Block. A core team of
four conservators and conservation scientists, assisted by recent
Sir Sandford Fleming College graduate Bill O'Neill and Queen's University
intern Molly McNamara, undertook a room-by-room assessment of 70
historic rooms and all of the public spaces in the building. Materials,
construction, and finishes were visually identified, environmental
conditions were assessed, and conservation issues relating to the
planned renovation and long-term conservation of the heritage fabric,
features, and finishes were considered and documented; the team
relied upon the resources of the Institute for specialized analysis,
environmental assessments, and support.
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The investigations were very detailed; the team crawled through
small access spaces to document ceiling finishes, moved built-in
cabinetry to recover fragments of original wall coverings, and in
one instance found an unsafe electrical installation that if undetected
could have put the entire building at risk; this was pointed out
and has since been rectified. An interesting pattern of maintenance
emerged: the work done from the years shortly after construction
until the early 1960s was of consistently high quality, but during
the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s the quality of work declined drastically,
as did the quality of the materials and the level of documentation.
A comprehensive record of interventions is present from the era
of manual record-keeping, but the record trail from the information
age is fragmented and incomprehensible.
CCI's condition report and advice were transmitted electronically
to the Heritage Conservation Program of PWGSC, for incorporation
in their report. These newly created conservation guidelines will
serve as a common point of reference for the heritage character
values and significance of the Centre Block's heritage interiors,
fittings, fixtures, and finishes. They include clear recommendations
for conservation, and will be used by all parties involved in the
management, design, and execution of the refurbishment and restoration
program.
CCI's involvement has already had a positive effect on building
preservation initiatives on Parliament Hill. In a number of areas
where maintenance workers or construction crews have traditionally
been brought in to make changes, those responsible for the building
are contracting conservators to attend to building maintenance and
upgrading. The conservation community is becoming a valuable and
trusted resource that offers cost-effective alternatives to the
removal and replacement of building elements.
CCI intends to maintain a strong presence in projects such as these.
It will influence other government levels and the custodians of
heritage buildings to include conservation professionals in the
planning, development, and maintenance of the properties in their
trust. By increasing the awareness of the benefits of investing
in conservation activities, CCI will be playing an important advocacy
role that should benefit the conservation community and our heritage
resources.
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