Quality of restoration of monuments: The role of Monumentenwacht

A program on Professionalism has been started in the Netherlands aiming at enhancing the quality of interventions in monumental buildings, (listed monuments and historic buildings). Branches involved, like contractors and architects, create their own guidelines under the guidance of the Dutch foundation for a recognized restoration standard in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and sites. Guidelines for the condition assessment of monuments are partly based on those originally developed by Monumentenwacht. This organisation fulfils the task of advising both owners and provincial government. The inspectors also evaluate the work done by contractors, signalling poor executions. This paper analyses the contribution of Monumentenwacht to enhance the quality of the interventions. Case studies are used for discussing potentials and limits of their practice. The project ‘Monumentenwacht moves’, in co-operation with Delft University of Technology, aims at creating a uniformity in reporting and monitoring. This co-operation lies within the framework of synergistic activities in the field of monument conservation carried out by of various institutions.