AIC's 45th Annual Meeting

Incorporating Conservation Methodology and Treatment Methods into Masonry Craftworker Training

As specialized repair strategies and treatments are designed for historic masonry structures, there exists an increasing demand for masonry craftworkers skilled in the proper implementation of both traditional and contemporary techniques. Conservation and Craftsmanship have a rich history in successfully executing approaches that address the needs of historic structures. However, skills-based training faces challenges in the 21th century that is unprecedented due to rapid advancements in building technology, proliferation of materials, and economics. This has dramatically affected the ways in which craftworkers are trained (or in many cases not trained), how the work is executed, and the long-term performance of the repairs to buildings of cultural significance. While new conservation approaches are being formulated to meet the parameters of unique situations, very rarely is the rationale behind these repairs explained to the individuals tasked with implementation. In situations where conservation bleeds into the realm of construction on large-scale projects, the need for masonry craftworkers educated in conservation methodologies is imperative.Within the past 2 years, the International Masonry Training and Educational Foundation (IMTEF) has launched a Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate Program which provides advanced education and specialized skills training opportunities to the journeyman level masonry craftworker. The program introduces participants to the concepts and theories behind preservation/ conservation and couples this with hands-on training exercises. This program relies heavily on the participation of practicing conservation, engineering, and architectural professionals as well as master craftworkers. This presentation will provide an overview of the program requirements, curriculum, and partnerships with craft-based, professional, and organizational partnerships.