11 November. ICCROM is saddened to share the news of the recent death of Franciza Lima Toledo from Brazil. Franciza Toledo was an architect specializing in conservation of movable heritage, with a PhD in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums from University College London. She worked on a variety of museum and built heritage projects as a private consultant, and was also a lecturer in her native Brazil.

Her PhD research work on the passive design of museums for the conservation of collections was a significant contribution to the conservation field.  It proposed preventive conservation solutions for museums and collections care that take into account energy efficiency and environmental concerns. It also did much to bridge the gap between professionals of immovable and movable heritage conservation.

Architectural solutions to provide passive climate control for the preventive conservation of museum, library, and archive collections were a special area of interest for Franciza. In 2006, she spent three months at ICCROM as a fellow, focusing on preventive conservation of collections in the context of historic buildings. In particular, she examined the extensive documentation from ICCROM’s PREMA project in sub-Saharan Africa to demonstrate how buildings can store collections while maintaining their heritage values. Her fellowship report on the role of architecture in preventive conservation is downloadable from the ICCROM website.

Franciza had a lot to offer, and she offered it generously. Her knowledge and experience in a wide variety of heritage provided fertile material for innovative thinking, always aimed at practical and uncomplicated solutions. Her last formal collaboration with ICCROM was within the CollAsia 2010 programme. During a three-week course in Jakarta in 2008, she explored issues related to 'Buildings: Environments for Collections' with the CollAsia team and participants. She was an inspiring teacher, a committed colleague, and a delightful friend.

Franciza’s passion and interest for heritage from all over the world did not dilute her Brazilian identity. She was always a splendid ambassador for the professional community in her native country. Her published work, as well as the numerous and memorable talks with colleagues from all corners of the world, will help us continue to explore the ideas and questions that Franciza’s untimely death has kept her from pursuing further. The ideas will carry on, but you are sorely missed, Franciza.

The international conservation community wishes to extend our condolences to Franciza’s family and colleagues in Brazil.

Katriina Similä
Project Manager
Collections Unit

updated on: 11 November, 2010