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Renovation,

Restoration,

Preservation,

Conservation

By Bart Bjorneberg, Bernacki & Associates, Inc.

hat do these words Conservation determine its own category and not allow a
mean and what In conservation, the absolute client/designer to overrule that choice. A
Wconditions and respon- maximum amount of the professional conservator is able to intervene,
sibilities do they engender when original material, in as unaltered for example, when the undereducated
used in connection to furnish- condition as possible, is consumer wants to gut the client’s eighteenth-
ings, art objects, environments, preserved. Any repairs or addi- century American highboy, with original
and architecture. tions must not remove, alter or fittings and finish, to house the client’s new
permanently bond/cross-link to entertainment center.
Renovation any original material. All In recent years, only one of all the disciplines
Renovation simply means to repairs or additions must be mentioned above has gained wide recognition.
make an object look like new. reversible and removable with- Ironically, it is “conservation” which has
The object to be renovated is just a base or out affecting the condition of the original become the key word amidst such a large
starting point for the client/designer’s imagi- material now, and in the vocabulary of disciplines that are all equally
nation. The object, materials and method of future. important to the well
construction, historical importance, or place Conserving an object being of our precious
in time are not critical. The object itself does means the object possessions, whether
not place restrictions on the work to be done. dictates all choices on personal or historical
how it is treated. in value.
Restoration Conservation does not

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary involve artistic choices or Drum Table with
(1975) defines restoration as, “a bringing back material experimentation Leather Top
to a former position or condition.” In on the object. The table (shown)
restoring an art object, piece of furnishing, or It is important for resented a number of
architecture, the most important requirement both collectors and reno- challenges. Its extreme
is the final appearance. The client and restorer vators/restorers/preserva- degradation was foremost on the list,
determine the most tionists/conservators to encompassing the frame and signature leather
desirable period of an have a basic understand- top. The circular table top was completely
object’s life; and the ing of these categories. It split, veneer lifted or missing, and the piece’s
restorer does whatever is is also important to worn-down finish had lost areas and severe
necessary to return the understand that the lines staining, blanching, and discoloration.
object’s appearance to between these categories Deterioration of the leather top proved even
that period. change with the type more complex. Sections that hadn’t gone
of object/situation missing were worn, cracked and flaking …
Preservation involved. including the piece’s original leather tooling.
Preservation involves For example, a proj- The project goal wasn’t to restore the table for
keeping an object from ect we had previously display … it was returned to a state fit for
destruction and seeing to it that the object worked on involved almost all categories men- everyday enjoyment.
is not irredeemably altered or changed. The tioned. It involved the creation of a historical Bernacki & Associates Inc. is one of Chicago’s
word preservation is most commonly used in museum from a house which once belonged most respected conservation and restoration firms
relation to architecture and built to a couple who were legendary in their field specializing in period and contemporary fine
environments. of discipline. As the goal of the project was to furniture, objects, historic millwork, and architec-
Preserving an object places additional layers restore the house environment to its prime tural elements. Established 30 years ago, Bernacki
of requirements on the decisions regarding historical period, it was necessary to restore & Associates has become renowned as a conserva-
materials and methodology. In preservation, some pieces, preserve some pieces, and tion and restoration resource. Bernacki &
the final appearance is no longer the prime conserve others. Associates, Inc. is a founding mem-
factor, but rather, retaining the maximum ber of Conservation & Design
amount of building fabric. The Collector’s Role Inter-national and active part of
Preservation dictates that in order to retain The collector’s responsibility DPR Art Rescue a 24-hour nation-
the maximum amount of building fabric, is to choose professionals who wide emergency service. All work
repairs must be done with minimal or no can determine the category completed by Bernacki &
changes to the original building fabric and in of a piece and prescribe a Associates, Inc. is strictly docu-
like materials, and if possible using the same work methodology that will mented and performed in accor-
methods as first created. The Office of the maintain that categorization. dance to the standards of the AIC
Secretary of the Interior has devised strict The professional’s responsi- code of ethics. For more informa-
requirements governing this type of work. bility is to allow the piece to tion visit bernakiconservation.com

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