Stone is a beautiful natural resource which is used in many different ways, however, it is a finite resource and therefore overuse and improper use of this material can lead to a shortage and also the destruction of the natural environment.
By understanding the importance of stone conservation we can be better prepared to tackle the issues that come alongside the use and utilisation of natural materials and have the skills necessary to protect and preserve them.
Something important to consider is that much of the stone that needs to be conserved is already in use, it exists in builds and structures all around us. While protecting natural resources is important, protecting that which has already been created is just as important.
Many buildings built from stone have been around for a very long time and to allow them to fall into disrepair would be a monumental loss of history and culture, only for them to be replaced with new buildings which require new materials, therefore depleting natural supplies.
Conservation is vital in not only protecting the buildings which have stood beautiful for longer than we have but in preventing the mass production of new buildings which are poorly built and are seen as a waste of natural resources.
Preservation
This is one of the most crucial reasons for stone conservation. The preservation of structures and buildings which have stood for many years is essential in maintaining history, culture and identity.
Many places have buildings which are built from local resources and have shaped the environment and landscape. For example, Yorkshire is full of beautiful stone buildings which have existed there for many, many years.
Preserving these is essential in maintaining a connection to the history of a location and in ensuring it is not erased or replaced. However, this is delicate work and must be done with care and consideration.
These historic buildings need a gentle touch and incredible attention to detail in order to prevent any additional damage to the stonework and to keep as much of the original structure intact as possible.
Repairs should be seamless and unnoticeable and preservation techniques should not change the overall look of the building.
A lot of buildings requiring repair work and preservation work are historically significant, often places which have been used or loved by communities for hundreds of years.
They also exist as a testimony to the changing attitudes towards buildings. Many are built with incredible artwork and details which are simply not found in modern buildings, and therefore protecting this beauty is vital to ensuring the history of a location is maintained.
Economic Factors
Many locations with historical buildings are also of interest and importance to the outside world, those outside of the locals that live there. This generates income for the place and to lose this may be detrimental.
By maintaining these stone buildings to the best of our ability, we can ensure that they remain important and relevant, bringing in visitors and helping to boost local businesses.
If these buildings were to be taken down or to fall into disrepair, there would no longer be any reason for visitors to come to a location. Businesses would fail, people would likely move away and the area would become something no longer historically relevant.
This would be a huge shame. With cities and towns now built-up with skyscrapers adorning the skyline, protecting what existed before and will hopefully exist long after we have is essential in maintaining identity and keeping a place special.
Heritage is a huge factor in tourism and the more historic places there are to visit, the more interest means more visitors. Tourism is essential to the economy and without the generated income from visitors, many places would simply become abandoned or derelict.
This is also important in educating people on the history of a specific location. Being able to see and touch structures which have lived through iconic and memorable periods of history gives people a chance to really immerse themselves in the subject.
Removing these buildings would leave only pictures and photographs, people would be less willing to learn about that which they cannot visit for themselves and so the significance of these areas and their conservation is vital.
Sustainability
Another key reason why conservation is so important is sustainability. We have access to a finite amount of resources on earth and therefore being more conscious of how they are used is essential if we wish to protect our planet.
The fact that many of these buildings have stood for hundreds of years is a testament to their durability and longevity. There is no reason for these structures to be replaced, for new materials to be used and for the old ones to be discarded.
Proper conservation can help to maintain these structures, keeping them standing strong for many more years to come and proving that we do not need to have new and modern buildings.
Sustainability is essential and protecting that which we have is a key part of this. There is also a lot to be learnt from these historical buildings and structures.
Often we see newer buildings falling into disrepair, being torn down and replaced frequently, however many buildings of historical significance have stood for hundreds of years.
By paying close attention to the design choices and the way these buildings have been constructed, we can adopt these practices and continue to build long-lasting structures which stand the test of time,
further improving sustainability and protecting our planet’s resources.
Visual Reasons
Perhaps the least important but still essential reason for conservation is purely aesthetic. Many old historical buildings have been crafted with incredible skill and craftsmanship and are absolutely beautiful to look at and to witness.
For many, preserving this beauty is important as the decorative adornments and carefully carved and crafted archways and corners are a form of artwork which should be enjoyed and celebrated by everyone for many years to come.
