Assessment of the use of architectural records and archives by Wellington conservation architects, and the implications for appraisal criteria : a case study

Abstract

This research project assesses the use, value and accessibility of architectural records and archives by one particular user group - conservation architects. In carrying out preservation work, a conservation architect gathers information from a wide range of architectural records and archives — from design, construction through to renovation. A case study of preservation projects in Wellington examined the architectural records archives used; compared what information conservation architects wanted to find with the information that they did find; determined what was the most useful; surveyed how important architectural records were to the work of conservation architects; and considered how useful and accessible different architectural collections were. From this it was possible to assess how successful the appraisal and disposition process has been in the past for this particular user group, and discuss the implications for future appraisal criteria.