Español

Studies & Degrees in Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation

Choose where you would like to study Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation:

IndiaItalyKenyaSpainThe United States

The field of Architectural restoration and rehabilitation has been responsible for the continued existence of famous historical monuments seen still standing today. The Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Egypt, the Parthenon of Greece, the Coliseum of Rome as well as the Pantheon, St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, St. Sophia in Istanbul, the Alhambra in Granada and even the Great Wall of China, all have underwent restoration and rehabilitation. Restoring and rehabilitating structures, especially those of great historical value, like the ancient wonders mentioned are such monumental tasks to undertake.

These are types of projects that will take years; mostly decades due to so much attention to details needed. A wrong restoration methodology could spell disaster. Not only does restoration of historical edifices take enormous amount of time but also millions of money.

Like in the case of the Great Sphinx, which had slowly succumbed to chipping and erosion as a result of years of subjection to the harsh weather elements of Egypt; restoration just became an imperative call. Historical landmarks like the Sphinx is too precious to watch get merged with the Egyptian desert. Further degradation of the Sphinx would not only say goodbye to a grandeur that reminds Egypt that it once held the world in its palms but also to the contribution of that single edifice to the coffers of the country as a tourist destination.

The restoration and rehabilitation of the Great Sphinx actually began allegedly from 1400 BC under Thutmosis IV. Under Roman rule, the Sphinx also got rehabilitated as they were used as backdrop for Roman plays. In 1955, the Government started a campaign for restoration and rehabilitation and again in 1989. It was only in 1989 that the architects got their restoration methodology right. The office of Egyptian Antiquities Office shelved out £60 million in a total span of ten years to finally rehabilitate the Great Sphinx.

These types of endeavors takes into account into everything from location, historical records, function, architectural elements like columns, doors, windows among others, type of materials, changes and modifications done in the past, and costs, to engineering elements such as air quality, subsurface water, characteristics of soil and rocks, and temperature variations of the environment, level of degradation, and structural stability assessment. When all factors are considered, how these factors interplay with each other, only then can a project starts to go to the drawing board. At the planning stage, the formulations of what specific restoration measures and methodologies to adopt. Once methodology is established, actual work can be executed.

Architectural restoration, of course, does not only apply to historical monuments but to any kind of structure which mainly includes buildings and houses. Restoration of buildings and skyscrapers are also challenging work for architects. Unlike in historical monuments, which are undertaken or commissioned for preservation purposes, high-rise buildings undergo restoration to make sure that the structure is fit for human use. A single skyscraper can house thousands of humans so the integrity of the building has to be doubly sure that it is fit for use.

In the future, the field of Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation will have a great potential as an industry as thousands of buildings will be due for restoration and rehabilitation in the next 10 or 20 years.

Job positions for Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation:

Electrical RCDD Engineer

In the 1980s, 17,000 Electrical Engineers distributed around the world banded together to form a non-profit association to certify experts in the field of designing low-voltage cabling systems. This group of 17,000 Engineers decided to call their certifying body, BICSI. In 1985, the Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) program was instituted and since then has produced only 5,000 RCDDs.

How does one become an RCDD? First, an application to BICSI has to be fully accomplished. BICSI will also require an applicant to submit three letters attesting their previous work experiences. Questions are written and formulated by industry experts. The exam would cover all aspects of the BICSI Telecommunications Distribution Methods. Mostly, subjects covered are designing horizontal cabling systems, equipment rooms, campus backbone systems, private CATV distribution systems, fire stopping, wireless systems, field testing and other related chapters.
Because of the rigidity of passing the RCDD program, Electrical RCDD Engineers are a special breed of engineers. Having an RCDD status would mean an edge in the field of Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications and Architecture.

An RCDD certification in a resume is synonymous to excellence. Usually RCDD Engineers are regarded highly not only among engineers and architects but also by many private and state organizations internationally. Electrical RCDD Engineers are often asked to design and install mission critical technical facilities. Examples of mission critical technical facilities are command or control centers, data centers, and communication centers. RCDD Engineers are also oftentimes approached to design and build telecommunication systems for buildings and school campuses. Electrical RCDD Engineers wouldn’t have a hard time integrating a new design into an existing telecommunication system. Anything to do with voice, data, video, audio and low voltage controls, an RCDD Engineer can design and install them all, be it digital or analog devices in whatever type of cabling used.
Although the C in RCDD means “Communications,” Electrical RCDD Engineers are not limited to designing telecommunications related infrastructures but are also very much capable of designing building power, lighting, fire alarm, transport, internet network and even security systems. Electrical RCDD Engineers are also good in development tasks, calculations, cost estimates and specifications.
Employers will get their money’s worth as they can also assist in improving a company’s quality standards and procedures.

Usually, Electrical RCDD Engineers are telecommunications designers, consultants, project managers and system integrator
Naturally, having to do tasks that only an Electrical RCDD Engineer can do, expect salary and wages to be commensurate. RCDD Engineers are very much in high demand due to the high-level of technical expertise they possess.

Now, in relation to an architectural restoration project, an Electrical RCDD Engineer would be an invaluable member of the team. He can work side by side with an Infrastructure Generalist to come up with a workable system tailored fit for a particular project. He can also work with developmental programs, a command center, cost estimates and specifications.

Moreover, an RCDD Engineer can design whatever the chief architect wants him to design as designing things is the forte of an Electrical RCDD Engineer.