Description:
In 1993 the consortium of Santiago promoted the creation of a technical office to take charge of drawing up, managing and developing restoration programs for the historical town. The restoration office worked through direct cooperation with the inhabitants and citizens' associations of the historical town. Its aim is to harmonise the restoration work which is needed to improve living standards of inhabitants of "ancient buildings" with respect and conservation of the defining elements of the historical architecture of their homes. The office carries out all projects and valuation reports, which include a sheet of technical conditions, a report on estimates and measurements, and necessary plans. Attention was paid to the maintenance of residential uses and the improvement of living standards for the inhabitants. The appropriate measures to be taken in each case were designed under a criterion of constructive logic and economy of works. It was considered essential to pay attention to the tastes of the citizens as regards the choice of interior finishing, for the aim of these measures is to improve acceptance of the dwelling by its user. With regard to future restoration trainings for the participating architects and companies were organized: Every two months, two architects joined the office staff for a period of six months, during which they assist in the supervision of repairs. Education courses on the use of materials and restoration techniques were regularly organized for construction companies, on a theory and practice basis.