Phase II
The Field Work

In this phase the architectural features are described in two different ways: 1) Developed structures and 2) The individual buildings. For each there is a form with blanks to be filled out.

1. Developed structures are coherent entities (townscapes) and are evaluated as such. They can comprise anything from a few buildings to entire streets, squares, districts and even whole towns. The basic considerations are architectural, historical and topographical criteria.

The developed structure: An example of selected urban elements showing the visual correlations between the architectural elements of the Faaborg town square. From the Faaborg atlas.

The developed structure: Another example of selected urban elements showing the visual correlations between the buildings and the main street where it ends right in front of trh Faaborg Art Museum. From the Faaborg altas.

Developed structures are divided into 3 categories: 1) Dominant architectural features, 2) Building patterns and 3) Selected urban elements.

Dominant architectural features are more comprehensive spatial relations with structural implications for the town and its surroundings, e.g. town profiles, town fronts, major streets, dominant buildings, monuments, squares and parks.

Building patterns may be characteristic quarters, grid-nets, areas characterized by their cadastral system, building regulations, e.g. the pattern of streets, squares, blocks, buildings and gardens.

Selected urban elements are urban architectural details of special interest, such as street spaces, squares, parks, avenues, special types of buildings and facades.

Example of a completed form for a developed structure.

2. Individual buildings are identified by existing national identification systems. Basic information such as age, materials, number of storeys and square meters as well as a more detailed description is given in a number of blanks with room for a code indication.

The most important part of the description form is the evaluation, which is composed of 5 different assessments:

architectural value (proportions, harmony of the composition, outstanding work of a certain architect)

cultural-historical value (evidence of social functions, evidence of evolution in craftsmanship or technology)

environmental value (degree of harmony with the environment)

originality (degree of original exterior preserved, possibility of rehabilitation)

technical state (whether in good or bad repair).

For the evaluations is used a 9-step scale (1 is the highest step).

For properties with a number of buildings a general lay-out of their position is drawn. Lastly one or two photographs are taken. The whole procedure can normally be carried out in 10 minutes.

Example of a completed building registration form.

The evaluation of the preservation value of an individual building is difficult, since most people have their personal opinion about architecture. So a common standard is needed. That is why the registrars should be given a short training (1 week) in how to evaluate buildings. Registrars should be professionals, architects, art historians or people with some experience in building registration, preferably familiar with the regional or local building tradition.

General explanation of signs to be used in the preservational atlas.

It would be useful, if a selection of different types of local architecture together with a short commentary is procured.

The results of the field work are directly applicable in the local administration, planning and allocation of building permissions. Also it provides a platform for preventive maintenance.

Flexibility in the application of the InterSAVE-system

Above is illustrated how various procedures can be applied as a consequence of different local conditions. The actual procedures in a given case may differ from the mentioned models depending on the local preconditions. The following conditions must be considered:

• Which technological level (computing hardware and software, photo)?
• What is known about the buildings prior to the registration and how is this knowledge available?
• How are buildings identified in local/regional routines?
• Which maps are available and used for existing planning purposes?
• Who conducts the project - international organisations, the central authority, the technical staff in the municipality or private consultants?
• What is the purpose of the registration? (National and local criteria. Preconditions for integrating preservation causes).