Every historic building is worth millions but is overlooked quite often. As much as it holds the essence of our culture and heritage, it has a uniqueness in itself which calls for action. Even though the restoration of historic buildings is a hectic and tedious process, many spatial designers and architects love to work on such projects. If you have a thing for the restoration of old buildings, this article gives you a brief about what the process looks like. Keep reading to know what you’re signing up for!

What is building restoration?

The basic purpose of the restoration of old buildings is to bring a constructed area back to its original or improvised form. While it is common for historical buildings, many old houses and government buildings are being restored as well.

It is essential to remember that restoration vs renovation are two different procedures. Restoration solely stands for damaged or abandoned buildings that receive a second chance at being lively. In addition, the restoration of old buildings also preserves the cultural heritage of the building. On the other hand, renovation is all about changing, replacing, or improving the existing look of a building which is not damaged.

When you opt for a degree in spatial design through the JD Institute of Fashion Technology, you might learn these concepts thoroughly. But for now, read on to learn the benefits of restoring old buildings.

Benefits of restoring old buildings

Since the ageing of buildings is inevitable, most people are unable to wrap their heads around the idea of restoration. Isn’t building an entirely new property a better idea?

Given below are some benefits of restoring old buildings that will help you understand the reason behind the process:

• Originality and design: Many buildings are uniquely designed, and they are worth preserving. Even though these buildings may not have commercial significance, some architectural pieces speak of our culture and precision in art.
• Cost-effective: As much as it is harder to construct a new building from scratch, the restoration process is cost-effective. Additionally, it saves time and expenditure on labour.
• Sustainable choice: In an era when environmental friendliness is a priority, constructing a new building goes against the principles. Hence, it is a sustainable choice in terms of achieving a premium architectural finish cost-effectively.
• Lower improvement cost: Even if you decide to upgrade the facilities in the restored building, it will cost much less than upgrading a new building.

Now that you are aware of the benefits of the restoration of old buildings, it is important to understand the entire process. The following section highlights the stages of the restoration process.

The Stages of Restoration

It is clear that ‘restoration’ is just another term for recycling, but with buildings and monuments. However, all the buildings are not suitable for complete restoration. Hence, the process takes place in different forms and stages.

The stages of building restoration include:

• Preservation: This is the process that involves minimum intervention and changes in the building. The core idea of this stage is to not add anything extra to the building.
• Rehabilitation: It is the stage at which the aim is to restore the historic or architectural character of the building. Additionally, architects and spatial designers focus on preventing further damage to the building.
• Reconstruction: With every restoration project comes a little bit of construction. This is also the advanced stage of restoration which aims at recreating certain damaged parts of the building to make it functional.

As a consumer, it would be easy and raw to grasp the concept of the restoration of old houses. However, if you aspire to be an architect or spatial designer, you must know the in and out. The JD Institute has a comprehensive syllabus in their PG Diploma in Interior and Spatial Design course to make you learn building restoration techniques.

Some basic old house restoration ideas include:

• Replacing the floor or giving it a different finish
• Adding a new carpet
• Installing new locks, door handles and hinges and repairing the damaged parts of doors and windows
• Attaching doors and windows with modern or better designs
• Repairing the damaged electrical and plumbing facility
• Filling the holes or damages on the walls alongside waterproofing

In addition, if the building has a solid foundation or a strong base, it is easier to restore the original look by making small updates and repairs. Are you still curious to know certain things about the restoration of old buildings? Head on to the following FAQs section!

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Are there any disadvantages of restoration of old buildings?

While there is no specific disadvantage, making a detailed plan without assessing the extent of damage and strength of the foundation could be a hindrance.

2.How much does it cost to restore a historic home?

The budget for restoration may vary from one individual to another. However, the average cost is INR 6,00,000/- per 1000 sq. ft. in India.

3.Why should we restore old buildings?

Understandably, historical monuments are being restored to preserve heritage and culture. Since the architectural designs vary from one city to another, it is important to preserve the essence for students and youngsters.

Wrapping Up

After considering all the facts about the restoration of old buildings, it is quite obvious that we should promote the idea. The restoration projects will more likely receive a grant from the government and have commercial significance in the future.

Thus, if this is something that interests you, it is high time you focus on getting a degree in spatial or interior design. It is these basic concepts that will allow you to decide on your big projects.

Fortunately, innovative courses like a PG diploma in interior and spatial design are available at JD Institute of Fashion Technology. Courses like these will give you a competitive edge in the industry and push you closer towards success. So, take the leap and restore history!