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                    Restoration and reconstruction

                    Illustration of a heritage house with restored windows, door and chimney
                    Understand heritage policy as it relates to restoration and reconstruction.

                    It is policy to:

                    • Encourage the restoration and/or reconstruction of heritage places.
                    • E​nsure where there is to be reconstruction or restoration to any part of a significant building, or any visible part of a contributory building, that it be an authentic restoration or reconstruction process, or should not preclude such a process at a future date.
                    • Ensure where there is to be restoration or reconstruction of a building, it is based on evidence of what a building originally looked like by reference to elements of nearby identical buildings, other parts of the building or early photographs and plans. ​
                    Restoration
                    Restoration means returning a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or later additions, or by reassembling existing elements. It is distinguished from reconstruction through not introducing new material.
                    Reconstruction
                    Reconstruction means returning a place to a known earlier state, and is distinguished from restoration by the introduction of new material.

                    ​Figure 20: Restoration and reconstruction

                    Diagram showing an example of authentic reconstruction of a heritage building's parapet and front fence, adjacent to a similar building but with inappropriate reconstructed fence and parapet


                    Front and diagonal views of a reconstructed three-storey building shopfront.
                    An authentic shopfront reconstruction
                    141-145 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
                    Design team: Trethowan
                    Photo credit: Chris Sanders Photography


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