Modeling a Maintenance-Focused Conservation System

There are several intervention approaches that can be applied in heritage conservation; from reconstruction, restoration, repairs to a do-nothing approach. This paper examines whether maintenance is more than an option, but rather a necessity. The aim of the study described in the paper is to propose a framework which puts more emphasis on maintenance in conservation. This research was conducted in an Australian context, where many major buildings are categorized as being ‘modern heritage’. However, the main problem with modern heritage is that although it has become more eminent, maintenance is still on the backseat of most facility management operation, its importance has yet to become a potential solution that will tremendously aid in properly preserving a nation’s architectural legacy. Challenges were evaluated and opportunities were identified in order to highlight the necessity of including maintenance approach in preserving historical fabric in heritage conservation. This research examines the key strategies in order to develop a maintenance-focus conservation system.