Arhivski vjesnik, Vol. 68 , 2025.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.36506/av.68.7
From Construction to Renovation: History and Key Elements for the Reconstruction of the State Archives Building in Karlovac
Hrvojka Božić
; State Archive in Karlovac
Abstract
This paper presents the historical significance and contemporary restoration of the State Archives building in Karlovac, the first purpose-built archival facility in Croatia. For many years, the building served as a model within national archival practice. However, due to inadequate maintenance and the emergence of new standards in both archival profession and construction, the building now requires a comprehensive restoration. The aim of the paper is to analyse this process from an interdisciplinary perspective, highlighting the interconnected roles of archival, architectural, and construction professions in defining both requirementsand solutions. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the archival profession in articulating priorities: from establishing optimal conditions for the preservationand protection of archival records, through improving working conditions for staff, to creating spaces that meet the institution’s future needs. The paper compares existing conditions and standards with those intended to be achieved after the restoration, offering a detailed description of the methods and criteria applied in the development of project solutions. In doing so, it demonstrates that restoration cannot be regarded merely as a construction intervention, but rather as a complex process encompassing organisational, functional, and societal dimensions. Furthermore, the paper considers the broader role of archives. Beyond the professional and technical aspects of the restoration, it emphasises the importance of opening the archives to the public, which means facilitating access to records, encouraging their use for scientific, educational, andcultural purposes, and enabling the institution to showcase its activities. In this way, the archive building is transformed from a mere storage facility into a dynamic space that supports growth, development, and adaptation to changes in society, technology and academic standards. In conclusion, the paper argues that the restoration of the State Archives in Karlovac serves as an example of how an interdisciplinary approach can successfully align technical efficiency with the demands of contemporary archival practice, while also ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability and relevance.
Keywords
State Archives in Karlovac; building restoration documentation; comprehensive renovation; energy efficiency; records protection; microclimatic standards; safety standards
Hrčak ID:
341827
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2025.
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