Preserving 20th Century Heritage PDF

PRESERVING 20 T H CENTURY HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE IN DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES The bombings of World War II caused widespread destruction, leaving some buildings entirely ruined and others significantly damaged. By the 1950s, recognition of the cultural value of these structures led to...

PRESERVING 20 T H CENTURY HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE IN DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES The bombings of World War II caused widespread destruction, leaving some buildings entirely ruined and others significantly damaged. By the 1950s, recognition of the cultural value of these structures led to the application of protective restrictions, even to buildings that were only 30 years old. This marked the first instance of juridical protection for such young architectural heritage. WEISSENHOFSIEDLUNG, STUTTGART, GERMANY (1927) The Weissenhofsiedlung was created as part of a 1927 exhibition in Stuttgart, showcasing avant-garde residential prototypes designed by architects like Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Initially open to the public for a few months, the buildings were later used as housing until 1938. These experimental designs represented innovative solutions for modern living. In 1981, conservation efforts began, not to preserve the existing state but to restore the original architectural forms. The flat roofs, altered over time, were restored to their initial design, and later-added plaster layers were carefully removed to reveal the original. Sampling techniques were used to match the original plaster's color, though its appearance had changed over time. Disputes arose regarding the exterior color, as traces of a controversial blue paint were linked to the interior facades of the main doors. Despite minimal maintenance issues, this intervention marked one of the earliest restorations of modern architecture, focusing on recreating the original image rather than conserving aged materials. TUGENDHAT HOUSE, BRNO, CZECHIA (1929 –1930) The Tugendhat House, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was completed in 1930. Its original owners were forced to leave in 1938 due to the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. Over the decades, the house underwent expansions and began to show signs of deterioration by the 1980s. An initial intervention in the 1980s, led by the State Institute for Reconstruction of Historical Towns and Buildings, addressed structural degradation caused by water ingress and restored the house’s geometry to match the original design. Further restoration began in 2010 following the house's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. This intervention prioritized the preservation of the building’s iconic geometry and materials. Layers of plaster were carefully removed to protect the original, while the kitchen surfaces were recreated using a mix of original and replicated tiles. Structural issues in the masonry walls were resolved using detachment techniques, ensuring authenticity. Flooring, stone materials, and metal supports were restored to reflect the original design, balancing modern conservation techniques with historical fidelity. BAUHAUS, DESSAU, GERMANY (1925 –1926) The Bauhaus in Dessau, designed by Walter Gropius, was an iconic art school that integrated art, craft, and technology. After its closure in 1932, the building experienced varied uses and suffered damage during World War II. In the 1970s, an intervention prioritized recreating the building's original state, paying little attention to its layered history. A more comprehensive restoration took place between 1996 and 2006, following the building's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. This project focused on recovering original features such as windows, doors, and plaster, while incorporating modern upgrades like photovoltaic panels and energy-efficient windows. Detailed analysis of the building's flooring revealed significant changes in materials and colors, guiding its restoration to align with the original design. The intervention balanced preserving historical elements with optimizing energy efficiency, reflecting evolving conservation priorities. ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY, ALESSANDRIA, ITALY (1937 –1938) Ignazio Gardella designed the Anti-Tuberculosis Dispensary, but its layout was altered before its inauguration to comply with Fascist policies that required strict gender segregation. This led to the relocation of the staircase to create separate waiting areas for men and women. Between 1993 and 1996, Gardella himself led a restoration project to return the building to its original design. The staircase was relocated to its intended axis-based position, and material degradation was addressed. While the plaster required replacement, the brick elements remained in excellent condition, reflecting the building's structural integrity and Gardella's original vision. POST OFFICE ON VIA MARMORATA, ROME, ITALY (1933 –1935) Designed by Adalberto Libera and Mario De Renzi, the Post Office on Via Marmorata featured alternating stone cladding and travertine porosity. Over time, the building underwent two major interventions. The first intervention, conducted between 1966 and 1971, replaced the original stone coating of the portico with new travertine slabs. Later, a second intervention (1998–2001) aimed to restore historical elements. This involved reintroducing porphyry and adopting modern installation techniques to enhance structural integrity. Stainless steel components were added to support the structure, preserving its historical image while accommodating modern needs. OLIVETTI SHOWROOM, VENICE, ITALY (1957 –1958) Carlo Scarpa's Olivetti Showroom was a masterpiece of material craftsmanship, featuring Venetian stucco, Aurisina stone, and Belgian black marble. However, in 1984, it was converted into a souvenir shop, obscuring its original features with new plaster and finishes. In 2011, a detailed restoration removed these later layers to reveal Scarpa’s original design. Venetian stucco and other materials were carefully exposed and cleaned using specialized techniques. Metal elements, such as the oxidized front door, were treated conservatively to ensure both functionality and preservation. The restoration balanced historical authenticity with contemporary conservation needs, safeguarding the unique character of Scarpa's design. WAR MEMORIAL, MONUMENTAL CEMETERY, MILAN, ITALY (POST -WAR) The War Memorial in Milan evolved through three distinct versions. The first, completed in 1945–1946, featured a brick base with Carrara marble panels and painted iron rods. The second version (1947–1950) replaced the iron rods with bronze and introduced Candoglia marble slabs. By 1955, the final version used Sweden black granite and engraved slabs, commemorating victims of Nazi concentration camps. Unlike other projects that emphasized layering historical elements, this memorial followed a subtractive approach, with each version replacing the previous one. This methodology reflected ongoing debates about authenticity in modern conservation practices, focusing on creating a definitive commemorative structure rather than preserving traces of earlier iterations. Each of these case studies exemplifies the complexities and challenges of preserving 20th- century heritage. They highlight a spectrum of approaches, from meticulous restoration to adaptive reuse, balancing the demands of historical authenticity, material conservation, and contemporary functionality.