Conservation and Restoration

The programme offers three fields of study, which are distinguished by material-specific and technological characteristics: Wood, Stone, Mural Painting. The direct contact with the university's courses in architecture and urban planning, cultural work and civil engineering and the practical connection to the surrounding monuments, museums, buildings and works of art in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Potsdam, the state of Brandenburg and the capital city of Berlin form optimal framework conditions.

Fields of Study

Interdisciplinary Subjects

Start of Studies

Study Organisation

Projects

Teachers & Staff

Cooperation Partners

History

Conservation and Restoration (B. A.)

Conservation and Restoration (M. A.)

25 Years of Conservation and Restoration

Cover der Jubiläumsbroschüre des Studiengangs Konservierung und Restaurierung

In 2020, the Conservation and Restoration degree programme celebrated its 25th anniversary. To mark this occasion, a brochure was produced that tells the story of the degree programme, presents the fields of study in detail and gives you insights into the everyday life of the degree programme and the teaching formats.

Download brochure

Insights into the Fields of Study

Job Profiles

"In the trio of art historians, natural scientists and restorers who today are essentially concerned with conservation and restoration issues, the latter differs decisively from the other two in that he is the only one who lends a hand to the original to a greater extent.

This not only gives him a special responsibility in the technical and manual area, but also in his ideal function as protector and preserver of the works of art entrusted to him. (...) The work of art needs an advocate to protect it from the worst abuse.

Here, the restorer has a special responsibility, as he is the only one who, due to his training, but also due to his interests and his individual knowledge of the object, can weigh and judge to what extent a work of art can withstand the strains placed upon it or will suffer irreparable damage in the process."

Bruno Heimberg, Das Selbstverständnis des Restaurators. Ein Versuch der Standortbestimmung, in: Zeitschrift für Kunsttechnologie und Konservierung Heft 2/1994, Worms 1994, pp. 340-344.

Extensive specialist knowledge and practical experience
pronounced sense of responsibility
critical judgement (prudence)
ability to discourse (communicative competence, mastery of argumentation strategies)
ability to cooperate (willingness to compromise, pragmatism)
Capacity for critical self-reflection as an essential characteristic of academic work.

"As living testimonies of centuries-old traditions of peoples, monuments in the present convey a spiritual message of the past. Humanity, which is becoming more and more aware of the universal validity of human values, sees in monuments a common heritage and feels responsible towards future generations for their preservation. It has an obligation to transmit to them the monuments in all the richness of their authenticity." Venice Charter 1964, Preamble

"The central task of conservators is the preservation and care of artistic and cultural objects. In order to be able to meet the requirements of modern restoration, academic training is necessary. Only a university degree enables the conservator to accompany an object from the preliminary examination, analysis and concept development through the actual conservation or restoration to the necessary documentation and further care. Conservators need comprehensive technical skills and a trained artistic sensitivity when dealing with art objects. They must acquire detailed knowledge of the historical manifestations of their objects and their materials; in addition to an overview of art history, this also includes a sound knowledge of chemistry and physics as well as knowledge of other related sciences. Training is therefore an ongoing process that continues in professional life and necessitates targeted further training." Association of Conservators

"Conservators deal with irreplaceable cultural assets that are carriers of cultural, ideal, ethical, religious, artistic, historical, social, technical, scientific, ecological and economic values." Swiss Association for Conservation and Restoration

News

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CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE Research & Transfer

Event

Press release 18/06/2024

Sustainable Building: New Urbanity and Climate-adapted, Liveable Cities

On the 19th of June 2024, the "Sustainable Building" lecture series organised by the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam will focus on the topics of green surfaces, roofs and façades and will present innovative solutions for cooling urban spaces.

Gefaltetete Papierkrone auf hellblauem Hintergrund

Start-up Service Social and Educational Sciences CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE Civil Engineering Design Information Sciences

Study & Teaching

News 11/06/2024

Certificate Programme for Job Qualification starts – Apply now!

Job qualification next level: The Work@Heart certificate programme increases students' chances of successfully starting a career – flexibly, sustainably and parallel to their studies. Interested parties can ask their questions in an online information session on the 9th of July from 12 to 1 pm.

Programmausschnitt Symposium des Instituts für Bauforschung und Bauerhaltung

IBB CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE Civil Engineering

Event

Press release 29/05/2024

Symposium "Duration and Transience. Reflections on the lifespan of buildings"

From 3 to 5 June 2024, the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences will host the symposium "Duration and Transience. Reflections on the Lifespan of Buildings" will take place. The event, organised by the Institute for Building Research and Conservation (ibb), aims to contribute to placing the…

#Demokratie! vertikal links von einem großen "D" mit kreisförmigem Farbverlauf und zehn Händen darauf.

Social and Educational Sciences CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE Civil Engineering Design Information Sciences

University policy

Press release 15/05/2024

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam organises the Summer Semester 2024 under the Motto #Democracy!

Students and lecturers at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam are organising a free themed semester on democracy and are exploring the future of the free democratic order. Questions of democracy, diversity and openness will be discussed as part of courses, action days and workshops.