Revitalizing the Sacral Complex of the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gdynia: A Comprehensive Restoration Project in Alignment with Monument Conservator's Guidelines and Technical Prerequisites

Abstract

Religious complexes, due to their monumental character, belong to the group of facilities in which carrying out renovation works is difficult. Very often, construction works carried out as part of planned renovation work include not only modernization but also repair works, including those related to the reinforcement of structural elements. Renovation work in sacral buildings is particularly difficult when they are located in the area covered by conservation. The paper is a case study of the existing religious complex of the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located in Gdynia, consisting of a church building and a bell tower. The church building realized in the 1960s and the belfry located in its immediate vicinity built in the 1980s after many years of use showed not only signs of operational decapitalization which lowered their aesthetic value as a monument containing elements of modernist architecture, but also all were characterized by damage to construction and finishing elements, which posed a threat to the safety of the structure and use.