Restoration

Restoration is the action of returning something to a former, nicer, or undamaged condition or state. It can refer to repairing, renovating, or renewing physical objects, structures, landscapes, or even processes and systems. The aim is to recover function, appearance, or meaning while preserving or revealing historical evidence.

In cultural heritage, restoration involves conserving or repairing artworks, monuments, and artifacts. Techniques include stabilization, cleaning, consolidation, and, when appropriate, reversible inpainting. Ethical practice emphasizes authenticity, minimal intervention, and documentation of changes. International guidelines distinguish restoration from conservation and reconstruction, and stress that later additions should be distinguishable from original fabric.

In architecture and urban heritage, restoration seeks to preserve historic fabric and appearance, sometimes combining with reconstruction. The field relies on charters such as the Venice Charter and the Burra Charter to balance preservation with new use and safety. Decisions often involve stakeholders, including communities and authorities, and face debates over what constitutes authentic restoration.

Ecological restoration aims to recover ecosystems to a reference condition or function, using measures such as native species reintroduction, invasive species control, and habitat rehabilitation. It relies on assessment, planning, active management, and monitoring, with success judged by biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services.

Other forms include digital restoration, which repairs damaged media while preserving its historical integrity; and medical/biomedical restoration, where tissues or organs may be repaired or regenerated. Across fields, restoration balances technical intervention with ethics, history, and sustainability.