HERITAGE RESEARCH

DOCUMENTATION
AR. RAMIL B. TIBAYAN, M.A. C.H.S.
AR. EUNICE VALERIE O. LIM, MSc. ADCoBH
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS – COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
• Why do we need to do documentation?
• How are they done?
• What are the conditions before embarking on digital
documentation and why do we check these?
• Problems/risk encountered with using digital technology on
documentation
Heritage Documentation
Recording of monuments, group of buildings and sites. It
is the primary activity in heritage asset management and
all who work in the cultural heritage sector are
responsible for it (ICOMOS Sofia Principles).
A multi-disciplinary activity and requires the application
of technical, scientific and analytical skills.

Article 6, Venice Charter of 1964

“ In all works of preservation, restoration and excavation,
there should be always a precise documentation… Every
stage of the work of clearing, consolidating,
rearrangement and integration should be included”
Heritage Documentation
It is the action that expresses the desire to share knowledge, conserve
condition and the precursor to managing and monitoring the inevitable
change brought by our reaction to it
The three task of measurement, selection and communication common
to documentation activities requires appropriate understanding,
specification and application to be effective.

Documentation must be prepared by qualified specialists, such as

preservation architects, architectural conservators, materials specialists,
etc.., together with the Management. The key to good documentation is
to correctly prescribed an effective and appropriate solution.
Cerone, M.; Croci, G; Viskovic, A. (2001) Structural behaviour of Colosseum Over the Centuries
Understanding the Historic Place
The first step in the conservation decision-making process is to understand the
historic place. This includes—through research and investigation—identifying and
describing character-defining elements that contribute to the overall heritage value
of the place.
Understanding the Historic Place
Record photography is generally used to capture and graphically convey a sense of
the site or space and its character-defining elements and heritage values. Such
images help to itemize, explain, and communicate the important elements in
heritage values assessment reports and conservation guidelines. The resulting
photographs are normally contextual in nature, assisting in the understanding of a
site and in planning for future documentation work.
A complete posterity of record is also typically produced during the first phase of a
project to ensure that information is available to future generations in the event of
catastrophic loss, demolition, or substantial alteration.
Data Gathering
Evidences:
1. Physical Evidences – actual buildings, ruins, objects
2. Oral Evidences – unwritten statements, interviews
3. Documentary Evidences – archival data, plans ….
Archival Research
A full understanding of the structural and material characteristics is required in
conservation practice. Information is essential on the structure in its original and earlier
states, on the techniques that were used in the construction, on the alterations and their
effects, on the phenomena that have occurred, and finally, on the present state. Research
may include:
- Archival research of each building history including past alterations, problems and
repairs
- Location of original plans and specifications
- Archaeological research
- Chronological development of each building
(taken from experts conference on the restoration of selected heritage structures in Cebu
and Bohol)
Archival Research
- Research historical records of damage (repair and maintenance data)
- Timeline of architectural developments
- History of earthquakes in the area and reconstruction/restoration in the
aftermath of the natural disaster
(taken from experts conference on the restoration of selected heritage structures
in Cebu and Bohol)
Physical Assessment and Documentation
- Verification of archival information with physical evidence. This will require a
comprehensive visual inspection of the structure
- Inspect all aspect of each structures from roofing, roof framing, walls and
foundations. Ceilings and wall finishes should also be included. This
assessment may include inspection openings, test pits, and the installation of
monitoring devices
(taken from experts conference on the restoration of selected heritage structures
in Cebu and Bohol)
Reporting
- Registration of each property should follow the standards defined by the
competent authorities (RA10066 – PRECUP)
- The report will be the summary of all data from archival research and physical
survey
- Report will also describe the alterations, previous repairs and present defects,
etc.
- Documentation of construction systems and technique
- Documentation of artistic motifs, designs, color, carving technique
(taken from experts conference on the restoration of selected heritage structures
in Cebu and Bohol)
Reporting
- survey and investigation of existing conditions, mapping of distress through
annotated drawings, photographs and narrative texts, conduct non destructive
testing to determine concealed conditions
- Identification of character defining elements (in case of artistic significance)
- Prepare accurate drawings (plans, elevations, sections) of present
configuration of structure.
(taken from experts conference on the restoration of selected heritage structures
in Cebu and Bohol)
Heritage Documentation – Examples for
Tangible Heritage
-Measured Drawings and Site Surveys (mostly
for built heritage)
-Three Dimensional Laser Scan
-Photography / Videography
-Imaging
-Condition Reports
-Catalogue Cards (mostly for cultural objects)
-Heritage Mapping
MEASURED DRAWINGS AND SITE SURVEYS
MEASURED DRAWINGS AND SITE SURVEYS
DIGITAL LASER
SCANNING
 DIGITAL LASER
SCANNING
Terrestrial and Mobile Laser Scan
DIGITAL LASER
SCANNING
Terrestrial and Mobile Laser Scan
Point Clouds to As Built Drawings. Image: Digiscript Philippines
Generated As Built Drawings from point-cloud images. Image: Digiscript Philippines
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry can be used to
produce orthographic scaled images,
from which accurate measurements can
be obtained, and it can provide the
basis for producing scaled architectural
drawings, such as elevations and
sections. The resulting images can be
used for on-site inspections or condition
assessments. A popular and effective
use of photogrammetry is to
periodically capture a building or site to
monitor for movement and to
determine whether conservation
interventions are required.
PHOTOGRAMMETRY
– BUILT HERITAGE
3D Mesh – Aerial
Photogrammetry
PHOTOGRAMMETRY –
CULTURAL OBJECT
The importance of digital
documentation for cultural objects is
that it offers the ability to view and
examine remote and fragile objects
without touching the actual object of
study, thus minimizing the risk of
damage and extending the objects’
lifespan

Front Back
Digital 3D image Actual image
Thermography
Thermography is another imaging tool available
to investigate the performance and condition of
historic places. This technique can help to
determine the wall composition or assembly of a
building or to detect performance issues or
deficiencies, such as air leakage or water damage.
These images are usually presented in different
colors, representing variances of temperature. For
this use of thermography to be effective, there
must be sufficient temperature difference
between the interior and exterior of the building
(winter months usually are best). This technique
is normally limited to the building exterior, since
temperature differentials are less pronounced for
interior floor and wall partitions.
An elevation of the West Memorial Building in Ottawa captured with approximately
thirty individual thermography images that were rectified and mosaicked into a single
overall image using existing building elevations. Image: HCS, Technical Services, Public
Services and Procurement Canada.
CONDITION SURVEYS
CONDITION
SURVEYS
Image Source:
Escuela Taller de
Filipinas
Foundation, Inc.
Image Source:
Escuela Taller de
Filipinas
Foundation, Inc.
Two-dimensional condition maps of the interior decorative surfaces at
Kasbah Taourirt, Ouarzazate, Morocco (left) converted into three-
dimensional models to correlate interior conditions with structural
problems (right). Images: Lori Wong and Samuel Whittaker, GCI.
OBJECT CATALOGUE CARD
CONDITION REPORT
FORM
Documentation Registry – a list of
landmarks that are protected by
national or local legislation composed of
buildings, group of buildings, sites,
cultural landscapes of significance in
national, regional or local levels.
Heritage Mapping – is the process of
identifying natural and cultural heritage
resources of a specific locality for the
purpose of conservation and
development
 SAMPLE AREA
SCAN FORM
From the Architectural Heritage of Manila
Project of Ateneo de Manila - Institute of
Philippine Culture

Form used to build an inventory of built

heritage on a certain area. Once done,
scanned built structures are plotted on a
map.
SAMPLE SURVEY MAPPING
FORM
From the Architectural Heritage of Manila
Project of Ateneo de Manila - Institute of
Philippine Culture

This form is used to get a detailed

information on each structures included in
the inventory. Interviews are conducted to
either the property owner, caretaker or
tenant. Observations are conducted to
answer each entry on the form.
QUESTIONS?
 HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
AR. RAMIL B. TIBAYAN, M.A. C.H.S.
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS – COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
Management – a management structure through which the conservation
policy is capable of being implemented; identifying those responsible for
subsequent conservation management decisions and the day to day
management of the place. It is the mechanism by which these decisions
are to be made and recorded; and the means of providing security and
regular maintenance for the place.
Conservation Management Plan (CMP) – it is a
document that helps develop the management strategy
for historic assets, sites and places. It explains the
significance of the asset and examines how any future
use, management, alteration or repair will be carried out
in order to retain its significance. It informs the way an
asset is conserved and managed, by establishing why the
asset matters and what matters about it.
A CMP identifies:
-The heritage values or significance of a place
-The conservation policies to be applied to protect that
significance in the face of change
-A strategy by which the policies will be put into action
The CMP is an essential pre-requisite to decision making
for conservation
Assess Significance
- Determine level of significance of individual elements
and components
- Use this understanding to develop policies that protect
significance
 A CMP must be “ in line with the needs and interests of the
stakeholders” and “must have a cautious consent” (Burra Charter)

SIGNIFICANCE
THREATS CHANGES

CONSERVATION
MANAGEMENT PLAN
HERITAGE MANAGEMENT - BURRA CHARTER
 THE BURRA CHARTER
PROCESS

Prepare
Identify the
Understand Assess the Develop Conservation Implement the Monitor and
Factors and
the Place Significance Policy Management Plan Evaluate
Issues
Plan
CMP– PLANNING PROCESS METHODOLOGY
Statement of Significance
-Summary of the values of a place based on evidences, written clearly and
logically for the understanding of the general public.
-It is arranged from the most to the least significant
-Evidences:
1. Physical – actual buildings, ruins, objects
2. Oral – unwritten statements, interviews
3. Documentary – archives, plans
Examples of Significance – Historical, architectural/aesthetics, symbolic, social,
scientific/technological
Significance – the value of heritage to past, present and future generations
(example: historical, social, aesthetic, scientific, symbolic)
Statement of Significance – Significance Grading Categories
QUESTIONS?