Conservation and Restoration of Clear Coatings on Furniture and ...

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4.0 Recommendations
Presently my findings are inconclusive, though I am confident solutions will be found that are conservation minded
<strong>and</strong> economically viable. Until these can be implemented, the best approach we can take is to learn from the
mistakes <strong>and</strong> misfortunes <strong>of</strong> others. It is highly important to communicate to <strong>and</strong> to educate people <strong>of</strong> relevance so
they better underst<strong>and</strong> issues surrounding the use <strong>of</strong> clear coatings for furniture <strong>and</strong> interior timbers in places <strong>of</strong>
cultural significance.
4.1 Government –Federal, state <strong>and</strong> local government
Governments, whether federal or local invest heavily in local building infrastructure. The Federal Government
particularly have been responsible for constructing Australia’s most iconic structures. These buildings represent the
Australian people on both a national <strong>and</strong> international level. Design <strong>and</strong> function <strong>of</strong> these ‘show’ buildings are highly
considered <strong>and</strong> budgets for such structures reflect their national importance. These structures <strong>and</strong> interiors have
been designed <strong>and</strong> constructed to become Australia’s lasting iconic buildings. Federal Parliament House was built
around a brief to last 200 years.
When governments decide to build such structures they need to look further ahead for longevity, cultural investment
<strong>and</strong> economic management. Parliament House may last 200 years as a concrete shell, however the materials
employed in the construction <strong>and</strong> manufacturing <strong>of</strong> the interior are in serious trouble less than 20 years after
completion. The economic cost on maintaining <strong>and</strong> conserving materials doomed to fail from the outset is a huge
financial burden. And for the objects which were destined to become iconic art works <strong>of</strong> national significance, these
may in fact not survive long enough to become significant at all. The budgets that are cut <strong>and</strong> money saved now
<strong>of</strong>ten indicate that money will need to be spent later, <strong>of</strong>ten at a greater cost <strong>and</strong> in some instances at the loss <strong>of</strong> what
may have been a lasting memorial to our young nation.
The economics <strong>of</strong> treating objects that will eventually fail is one that requires consideration, <strong>and</strong> is an easy point to
demonstrate. Choosing the correct materials at the design stage is fundamental to the longevity <strong>of</strong> the object or
building. Governments, architects, artists <strong>and</strong> manufacturers should be conscious <strong>of</strong> the potential long term issues
when choosing materials. Examples <strong>of</strong> material failure are commonly accessible, <strong>and</strong> are a powerful demonstration
tool. If objects are designed with correct material choices, then these problems will be minimised.
Governments must be presented with the economic argument for good conservation policy. By choosing the correct
materials in the design <strong>and</strong> building processes, (which may well be more expensive initially), maintenance <strong>and</strong> on
going conservation costs will be minimised. A good example <strong>of</strong> this was the decision not to use Ultra-Violet (UV)
filters in the glass at New Parliament House. For an added 10% to the glass budget, inbuilt UV filters may have
prevented UV damage to thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> square meters <strong>of</strong> timber floors, to furniture, to carpets <strong>and</strong> textiles. Without
figures on h<strong>and</strong>, I am sure the repair <strong>and</strong> replacement <strong>of</strong> these materials has exceeded the additional 10% many
times over. And this is only in the first 20 years <strong>of</strong> the buildings life. At a large expense, UV films have now started
to be installed throughout Parliament House.