The Building Care Program
(BCP) has been initiated in
Denmark by the Danish Historic Houses Association (BYFO). Later
the Danish Heritage Council, of which BYFO is a member, has taken
it over in order to further develop the Program.
In Denmark, BCP has proven to be a professional
and satisfactory concept for listed houses and historic buildings
worth preservation, as well as for buildings more common in character.
BCP, which is tailor made for owners and curators of historic
houses, is a useful tool when negotiating with the public authorities
about restoration projects or when applying for grants.
The BCP is based on an impartial building
inspection carried out by experienced professionals, like architects
and curators. The building inspection gives a detailed description
of the condition of the monument, technically and economically
as well as aesthetically. Moreover the BCP provides a comprehensive
ten year plan for restoring and maintaining the monument.
The Program consists of four main
modules, each one organised in the same way and with
standard principles in order to ensure a systematic inspection
and repair. The method and the criteria for evaluation are regular,
which means that the BCP provides a solid base of information
for each building connected to the arrangement.
The four modules are:
The advantages of the Building Care
Program are obvious. The BCP gives owners and curators the opportunity
to:
1. plan
continuous and “in time” maintenance to avoid expensive
restoration.
2. minimize
or reduce the size of damage already apparent.
3. plan
and manage their own long-term budgets.
4. minimize
project costs when applying for grants.
5. get
a better basis of negotiation with public authorities.
6. get
a better basis of negotiation with insurance companies.
7. get
a better basis of negotiation when applying for mortgages.
8. show
the surrounding society and the public authorities that the owner
takes full responsibility for the building.
9. provide
a comprehensive document when selling or in time of succession.
10.
Make restoration works sustainable, through the selection/training
of qualified craftsmen and experienced operators.
Under the supervision of the Danish Heritage
Council and BYFO, which are liable for the quality of the manual,
the architects and curators are trained to use and to promote
the BCP practices in Europe. The idea is to create a multiplying
effect from the initial project through a standardised professional
tool adapted to all European countries.
Apart from the
co-organising countries, many other European countries, amongst
which the new member states, are now interested in the project
for further implementation and promotion of the Building Care
Program in close co-operation with the corresponding historic
houses associations. Moreover, other countries outside the European
Union, such as Switzerland and Norway, have also taken much interest
in the Building Care Program.
