Course Information:

The RAIC, in partnership with Parks Canada Agency, is offering a new online course on Heritage Conservation in Canada. The course offers exclusive lessons on the principles of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada by using built heritage sites managed by Parks Canada as learning tools.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize heritage values and the character- defining elements of historic places
• Explain the Conservation Decision Making Process
• Locate relevant resources for information on heritage value and designations.
• Distinguish between the conservation treatments of preservation, restoration, rehabilitation
• Interpret which Standards and Guidelines apply to a given conservation project

Course Outline:

Part 1: Understanding Heritage Value, Character-Defining Elements and Statements of Significance

Part 1 focuses on the heritage values and character-defining elements of an historic place. These are captured in a value statement called the Statement of Significance.

At the completion of this learning module the participant will be able to:

• recognize the heritage value of an historic place
• identify character-defining elements of an historic place
• analyze a Statement of Significance to extract the most project-relevant information for a proposed intervention

Lesson One: Heritage Value

Lesson Two: Character-Defining Elements Lesson Three: Statement of Significance

Part 2: How to use the Standards and Guidelines

Part 2 focuses on the second edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, 2010 (Standards and Guidelines or S&Gs). This edition clarifies and updates the information contained in the 2003 edition.

At the completion of this learning module the participant will be able to:

• apply the decision-making process outlined in the Standards and Guidelines;
  • identify the Primary Treatments (Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration) of a proposed intervention and the applicable Standards and Guidelines.

Lesson One: The Conservation Decision-Making Process

Lesson Two: The Conservation Treatments

Lesson Three: The Standards Lesson Four: The Guidelines

Part 3: Using the Standards and Guidelines to plan or assess an intervention to an historic place

Part 3 focuses on the application of key concepts in conservation decision-making process as described in the Standards and Guidelines. Through four case studies in Canada, each emphasizes one of the primary treatments for achieving different objectives.

At the completion of this learning module the participant will be able to:

• evaluate a proposed intervention for compliance with the Standards and Guidelines;
• identify the appropriate intervention to an historic place to protect its heritage value;
• determine options that best conserve the character-defining elements of an historic place.

Case Study 1: Preservation of the Old Wash-House at Grosse-Ile, Québec

Case Study 2: Rehabilitation of the Former Galt Post Office in Cambridge, Ontario

Case Study 3: Restoration of Chinatown in Vancouver, British Columbia

Case Study 4: Sustainable Upgrades of the McLennan Building at Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia

Project Description

This contribution supports the development and implementation of an online course regarding the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada intended as an informational training tool for use by Royal Architectural Institute of Canada members, as well as other interested parties from across the public and private sectors, in Canada's heritage community and the design and construction industry.

Background

In 2003, Parks Canada led the development of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative intended to create what was supposed to be the nation's first-ever pan-Canadian reference document on best practices in heritage conservation.

After its original issue, the Standards and Guidelines were adopted by many federal, provincial, territorial and municipal jurisdictions, as 'best in class' guidance for management of Canadian conservation projects and sites. Since then, there has been a sustained and increasing interest in the document.

In 2010, Parks Canada led a federal-provincial-territorial collaboration to update the Standards and Guidelines, resulting in Edition 2.

In 2017, the RAIC surveyed its membership, seeking to understand the areas of professional architectural practice for which members wanted more educational tools and training opportunities. Further training opportunities in the field of heritage conservation and adaptive reuse were amongst the most requested topics.

At that point, the RAIC contacted Parks Canada, and discussions started with regards to a collaboration to expand awareness, understanding, and use of the Standards and Guidelines.

About Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada's mandate is to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage- and to foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.