The department of Conservation of Wall Paintings and Architectural Polychromy offers education, research and consultation in conservation practice for many years. The field of interest of the department is the conservation of architectural surfaces, the conservation of plaster and its different surfaces like wall painting or stuccowork. The department is recognized on European level for its competence in the field. Advanced methods and techniques of documentation of architectural surfaces as part of the cultural heritage were addressed all over these activities.

Besides the three departments for conservation education at the University of Fine Arts the Scientific Laboratory is dedicated to the investigation of works of art and conservation science since 1979. The main fields of research and education are material analysis, research in conservation methods and materials as well as the assessment of environmental parameters.

For material analysis the laboratory disposes of several microscopic techniques, GC-MS, micro-FT-IR, SEM-EDX and XRD. For the analysis and assessment of building materials and salts the common range of chemical and physical methods are applied. An all-purpose materials testing machine is used for the evaluation of conservation methods. Main field of interest is the characterization of all kinds of materials used for historic objects and their interaction. Continuous cooperation is maintained with the local public Institute for Diagnosis and Conservation of Monuments (IDK). International cooperation took place with partners in Great Britain and Vietnam.