The future of teaching architectural restoration: an overview of emerging approaches in the European area

This article examines the contemporary transformation of architectural restoration teaching in Europe, highlighting the decisive influence of Professor Javier Rivera in the critical transmission of Italian and Spanish restoration theories . It analyzes how recent European regulatory frameworks, particularly the Faro Convention, and theoretical contributions such as those of Muñoz Viñas have expanded the concept of heritage toward more relational, sustainable, and community-oriented perspectives. While these approaches broaden the disciplinary scope, the article argues that they also risk diluting the foundational principles of architectural restoration, including material authenticity, historical continuity, and scientific rigor. In the context of the growing prominence of adaptive reuse and socio-economic agendas, the text advocates for a balanced educational model capable of integrating contemporary demands without compromising the theoretical and methodological specificity of the discipline. It concludes by emphasizing the need to preserve the academic and professional identity of architectural restoration, clearly distinguishing it from related fields such as rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.