For buildings that were built during historically significant times or that employ a unique architectural design, having them restored when they sustain damage or deteriorate over time can present some unique challenges.

To maintain a distinctive look during repairs, restoration or extensions, a process known as architectural conservation is used. This is of particular importance if a building is heritage listed, where its original look needs to be maintained as closely as possible.

Places of worship

In Australia, many churches/places of worship either have a long history or are built with a very distinct look that can reflect a range of historical styles. One such example is gothic revival, as what the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane's CBD is designed in the style of. The cathedral was originally built throughout the years of 1864 to 1922.

By the 1980s, the cathedral fell into a state of disrepair and required extensive restoration. This restoration involved preserving the fabric of the building while replacing furnishings and internal fittings.

Some other places of worship within the Brisbane area that are Heritage listed under the state include:

• Albert Street Uniting Church
• Mowbraytown Presbyterian Church Group
• St Andrews Anglican Church
• St Mary's Catholic Church
• The Brisbane Synagogue

Conservation, repairs or replacement?

While architectural conservation may be an ideal (and, in some cases, required) measure for some places of worship, for others the cost of maintaining a very specific look can be both costly and not as beneficial as a more extensive restoration, repairs or replacement - the latter of which predominantly relates to the roof.

One of the noted pitfalls of focusing on the conservation of a look is that the materials that were once used, say, in the late 1800s or early 1900s are now comparatively inferior to what's available in this day and age. While a conservative approach to maintaing a building's classic look certainly makes sense, sometimes adhering to it to a degree where the older materials are merely restored will not give that building the extended life it deserves.

As mentioned, sometimes this type of maintenance is necessary, but these days a look near-identical to the original can still be achieved while utilising modern-day building materials. If not near-identical, it can still often adhere to a level of aesthetic consistency. So if you do have a place of worship that's in need of repairs, don't immediately jump to saying that all original materials must be used. Spend some time researching and see what other options are out there that could result in more effective repairs while keeping a look close to the original.

If the roof of your premises has sustained damage that may require repairs or a replacement, consider what material your roof is made from. Many modern-day tiles and metal roofing options come in a wide range of styles and colours, which means they can often match up with the rest of your building. Of course, if you have a more contemporary place of worship, chances are you may already have a metal or tiled roof installed. So if it's suffered any significant damage, a roof replacement is a good option that will help bring new life, vibrancy and, importantly, durability to your place of worship.
"Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane 06.2013 038" by Kgbo - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.