Banal versus Monumental

18/05/2021, h. 14:15 – 16:15
Piattaforma Zoom

On the specifics of preserving Architecture from the recent past

Lecture by prof. Franz Graf (EPFL) organized within the framework of the Research Thematic Seminar “Endangered Modern: from Transformation to Ruins”, prof. Maruša Zorec and prof. Andrea Canziani.
The RTS is dedicated to the 20th century architectural heritage. 20th century has, compared with the past, offered us the widest range of completely new – modern architecture. It opened new horizons in the field of function, construction and beauty and presented principles that weren’t imagined before. It influenced the ways we are seeing and conceiving architecture today.
Today, almost a century after the rise of the Modern Movement, we are facing the problematic of its abandonment, neglection and misunderstanding.
Many valuable modern functional buildings are endangered, because they were not listed: they have been badly renovated or even demolished. They are facing a lot of transformations and threats. Sometimes this is related to material decay, but most of the time is due to new rules and new needs: accessibility, safety, services, comfort, energy requirements…
Except for few iconic buildings, the transformations are not usually considering the historical value or the architectural value, erasing very often significant spatial solutions.
The work carried out by the students on the selected case studies is composed by research of history, evaluation of qualities, problematic and potentials. The final outcome of the course will be a project for the conservation or renovation of the selected buildings.

Relatore: Franz Graf (EPFL)

Responsabile: Maruša Zorec