prof.ir. R.P.J. van Hees

Architecture (A) | Modification, Intervention & Transformation
Chair of Conservation Techniques

Rob van Hees (born in 1952) has been a full professor of Conservation Techniques at the faculty since 2004. He concentrates on the technical aspects of interventions in existing buildings – restoration that is sustainable and compatible. All too often, restoration work is carried out without any investigation into why the original material had degraded and as a result of which another programme of restoration is required shortly afterwards. That is why Van Hees researches first the mechanism that causes the degradation and comes up with measures to tackle it. He also introduces this method of working to his students. In addition, he studies how restorations were carried out in the last century, and indeed earlier. What materials were used, how were choices made, what were the effects, etc. The Chair also takes part in research at the Delft Centre for Materials into self-restoring materials. The educational aspect is aimed primarily at matters like the ethics and philosophy of restoration, making diagnoses, identification of classic building materials, and conservation techniques. In other words, Van Hees gives practical lessons where students have to get the measure of an existing building themselves.

As well as being a professor, he is the monuments and preservation senior scientist in the Building Materials department at TNO, where he coordinates international research projects among other things, and provides advice on restoration and renovation. He also acts as an advisor on and evaluator of research proposals at the Research Directorate-General of the European Commission, he is editor of the Praktijkboek Instandhouding Monumenten (practical guide to the preservation of monuments), a member of the board of the WTA and member of the building restoration committee of the Pieterskerk (church) in Leiden.

Secondary employment:
Senior scientific employee at TNO Construction