Re-architecture : lifespan rehabilitation of built heritage

Pereira Roders, A. R. (2007)

Review by: Roos Bolleboom, Vinny van Buren, Shanshan Xie

THEORY, STARTING POINTS, CONCEPTS

Like every human being, buildings have always had a lifespan. They age, get damaged,
become abandoned and decompose. As these lifespans increased due to better
construction materials and techniques, so did the need to take care of them by means of
interventions.

This research categorizes these interventions in different scales, as the terms used for these
categories have often been used interchangeably, or misused, throughout history. In doing
so, it aims to create a more clear overview of the different types of interventions that are
possible. It does so through an analysis of forty different international documents, in which
these interventions are identified and quantified. It also looks at past definitions of the
different categories, and makes its own general definition for each intervention, based on the
amount of times they were used in the texts.

Though there are many variations and synonyms for the different definitions, the research
ultimately defines seven categories. These are, in order of increasing level of intervention:
deprivation, preservation, conservation (by far the most cited term), restoration,
rehabilitation, reconstruction and demolition.

Figure 1: Definition summary (Roders et al., 2007)

Since these definitions vary from one another, there was a need to further subdivide each
category. This sub-categorization is again based on past research documents, and sets out
its own method of defining the interventions. Each intervention category is split into two, one
being a passive approach to the intervention, and one active approach. It also defines the
intervention’s target, use, aim and impact. These factors, however, more often than not
correspond between the passive and active approaches, and mostly differ between
intervention categories.
Figure 2: Intervention subdivision into factors (Roders et al., 2007)

When all these matrices are placed below each other, as done in appendix 4 of the
research, it shows the overlapping factors between the different categories and approaches.
These overlaps serve as an explanation as to why these terms have often been
misunderstood and misused throughout history.

Figure 3: Mind map of the reading

1 DEPRIVATION

The first category of intervention mentioned in the text is called deprivation. It could be
argued that this should not be defined as an intervention, as it is described as a slow
process of lessening the value of a building. This can happen through either the passive
approach, abandon, or the active approach, vandalism.

Abandonment, or non-intervention, is the act of unintentionally letting a building fall into

decay, without any concern. The text states that this act of abandonment, per definition,
lessens the significance of a building. It could be argued that that should not have to be the
case. For example: many religious heritage sites in the United Kingdom have been
abandoned, like Incholm abbey in Edinburgh. But a case could be made that their value as
architectural heritage is still present, or that its abandonment has created a new significance.

Figure 4: Inchcolm abbey, Edinburgh

Vandalism, on the other hand, is more straightforward. It is defined as contributing to the

obsolescence or damaging of a building’s significance, through neglect or destructive intent.
Examples for this can vary, from the physical destruction of Rotterdam in WW2, to electricity
pylons in historic urban centers.

Figure 5: Rotterdam after the 1940 bombing (Rijnmond, 2021)

2 PRESERVATION
The second category of intervention is preservation. This intervention is mostly defined as a
method of keeping a cultural property in its existing state, and to prevent it from current and
future damage and decay. The passive approach for preservation is called inventory, and
the active approach is prevention. It could be said that prevention comes one step before
conservation, another intervention that is often used interchangeably with prevention.

Inventory is the collection of as much information as possible for a building, be it documents,

oral or physical. This information can then be used to further develop other intervention
categories. An example is the studies of antiquity during the Renaissance, which in time
contributed to the protection of ancient European architecture.

Figure 6: Renaissance study of antique columns (MeisterDrucke, n.d.)

Prevention, as its name suggests, has the aim to directly prevent buildings from falling into
further decay. This is mostly achieved through protective institutions, like the UNESCO
protected historic center of Rome. It is also defined as controlling the environment around
the heritage, to make sure damage does not occur in the future.

Figure 7: UNESCO protected area of Rome (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, n.d.)

Both inventory and prevention are not so much interventions into specific buildings, but
interventions in legislation and information, with the aim to make sure that architecture of
significance can survive.

3 CONSERVATION
The third category is conservation, the most commonly used term for interventions in the
research. Conservation is mostly concerned with small- and medium-sized repairs of
damage and decay to a monument, with the intent to retain its cultural significance and to
extend its lifespan. The passive approach for this is maintenance, the active approach is
safeguard.

The main goal of maintenance is to completely preserve the significance of a monument,

through small scale routine repairs and administrative action. This has to prevent any further
interventions in higher scales, so that the authenticity and meaning of the building stay
intact. The constant repainting of the Eiffel tower is an example of maintenance work to
combat rust forming on the structure.

Figure 8: Eiffel tower, Paris

Safeguarding is the active approach, and it is similar to maintenance. It has the same aim as
maintenance, being the preservation of a monument’s cultural significance. Safeguarding is
concerned with larger repairs than maintenance, as well as any conservation efforts that are
not planned or routine-work. Other than that, safeguarding has the same purpose, target and
impact as maintenance. As an example, you can think of any monument temporarily
surrounded by scaffolding, which most of the time is being maintained, cleaned and
repaired.

Figure 9: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Tallinn

4. Restoration

The term "restoration" implies the recovering of an idealistic situation. By removing

unnecessary forms and adding missing parts within the careful analysis, the conceptual
images of the heritage can be shown to the present. It means actions should reflect the
original architectural goals and concepts while maintaining harmony with the existing
elements.This ideal status makes this intervention controversial, as it results from
investigation and research over the generations other than its realitc appearance. Its divided
into restitution as the passive way and the reconstitution as the active one.

- Restitution

Restitution encourages respect for the components throughout the historical eras: relocation of
conservation of the removed parts; the distinguishable difference between the original parts.Like some
gothic cathedrals, the restoration is mainly focusing on the skeleton and abandons the recovery of the
statuary and decor. One example is Cathedral in Deventer. New bricks fill the missing part of the
column, but the decoration keeps the orginial situation. （Figure10）.

Figure 10. Lebuinus church in Deventer, Netherlands. From”Flickr”,by F.Tiberio,

2014(https://www.flickr.com/photos/tango-/49853787903)

- Reconstitution

Reconstitution rebuilds medium-scale damages and keeps all parts(remaining and

additions)harmonious with the original components. Stylistic restoration is the major basis of
the action.The pantheon could explain the reconstitution methods. Hadrian rebuilt this
heritage in 126 after two disasters around 80 CE and 110 CE. It means the pantheon is not
the reality as it is in history but the spatial conclusion deprived of series studies and
analysis(Figure 11). Besides, it removed a pair of bell towers added above the entrance in
the 17th century by Pope Urban VIII(Figure 12). These illustrate the efforts to restore the
building to its romantic status.
Figure11..Interior of the Pantheon, Rome. From “National Gallery of Art”, by G.Paolo Panini,
1734 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giovanni_Paolo_Panini_-
_Interior_of_the_Pantheon,_Rome_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)

Figure 12. The ass’s ears of Pantheon. From “Royal Collection Trust”，by
Canaletto,1734(https://www.rct.uk/collection/400524/the-pantheon)

5. Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is the fifth intervention.It brings the heritage back to life.The function can be
reused or used for a new purpose to improve the heritage's significance and situation.
Reuse and conversion are two subdivision of the rehabilitation.

- Reuse

Reuse is the action to keep the original use of the building.

One example of reuse is the city hall of Utrecht. It demolishes the brick building at the rear
and introduces a new entrance with the square(Figure 13). The materials removed from the
other parts, like the brick and stone frames, are recycled for the new construction. The oldest
wall is kept in the interior and exhibition on the ground floor, while the second floor will be
dedicated entirely to political representation(Figure 14).

Figure 13. Plan analysis. From Architecture and Culture(10.1-12), 2021)

Figure 14. Interior, From ”archello”, by David, 2000(https://archello.com/project/utrecht-town-
hall-rehabilitation)

- conversion

"Conversion", the active subdivision of rehabilitation, changes the heritage function.

St.Maria do Bouro is a good conversion from a monastery to a hotel. The use of the original
stones integrates ruins and the new addition. The main new elements are a small oval-
shaped pool(Figure 15) to the south and a layer of water in the kitchen's front courtyard.
Moreover, the distinction between the old and new are exposed clearly to illustrate the
conversion(Figure 16).

Figure 15. Pools in the hotel, From “ArquitecturaViva”, by Luise,

unknown(https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/parador-de-santa-maria-de-bouro-2)

Figure 16. New metallic slab in hotel. From “ArquitecturaViva”, by Luise,

unknown(https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/parador-de-santa-maria-de-bouro-2)
6 Reconstruction

Reconstructive is the sixth term. The term is used when a building or its surroundings are
improved or replaced but with some connection with the previous building. Reconstruction
can be divided into two forms, the active form called new building and the passive form
called rebuilding.

The passive form means that the previous building is copied/rebuilt with the same design.
However, the function may be different. An example of a passive reconstruction is Notre
Dame in Paris. This cathedral was partly destroyed by a fire in 2019. After the fire, various
designs were created that contrast with the original design and influence the function of the
building. Ultimately, it was decided to return the cathedral to its pre-fire state because of the
high monumental value of the original building. So the catherdal is being reconstructed due
to the fact that redesigning won’t add value to the cathedral itself or its surrounding, which
justifies the decision for passive reconstruction.
Figure 17. Notre Dame (Admin, 2019)

Figure 18. Option new design Notre Dame (Admin, 2019)

the active form means that a new building is erected that may have a different appearance
or function, but connects to the existing urban fabrics, infrastructures, services of the
previous building, etc. An example of active reconstruction is De Beurs in Almere. Towers
will replace this outdated office building with new offices and residences. The plans are still
going ahead despite the resistance from various parties. THis because the context with
multiple facilities and central location fits in too well with the needs of the new residential
function(OmroepFlevoland, 2021).

Figure 19. De Beurs Almere (OmroepFlevoland, 2021

Figure 20. New Desisgn De Beurs (OmroepFlevoland, 2021)

7 Demolition

Demolition is the 7th term. The term is used when a building is demolished without leaving
traces of the building. There are two methods to demolish the building, the active form called
waste and the passive form called reduce.

The passive form of demolition means demount with relocating, reprocessing, recycling of
forms /components/materials, etc. It is a more sustainable method of demolition. An example
of a building that has been passively demolished is the Amsterdam Satelliet Building. The
panels and the construction are disassembled so that the building materials can be reused
for a new building at a different location (Re-Born, 2022).
Figure 21. Satelliet Amsterdam deconstruction (Re-Born, 2022)

The active form of demolition is when the materials of the demolished building are not
relocated, reprocessed, recycled of forms/components / materials, etc. It could be said that it
is an unsustainable method of demolition. An example of this active demolition method is the
Mina Plaza building in Abu Dhabi. This building was no longer usable due to a sagging
foundation. The building was therefore blown up, turning it into dust and rubble within 10
seconds. No attempt was made to reuse materials before the explosion and after the
explosion, the materials were destroyed and couldn’t be reused(Facilitator, 2020).
Figure 22. Mine Plaza Abu Dhabi explosion (Facilitator, 2020)
8. Conclusion

As the article mentioned in the last part, rehabilitation intervention focuses on heritage improvement.
It could give the building a second life and bring it back to the present life. However, the advantages
could result in destructive damages for pursuing higher economic benefits. For instance, Plenty of
traditional residences in Guangzhou, China, were rehabilitated for commercial function without
careful archaeology analysis. The original facades were destroyed and replaced by new
infrastructures（Figure 22）. Even though the government punished the estate activity, the heritage
could not revert to what it used to be.

The article provides an interesting diagram(Figure 23) of the relationship between action and
heritage. A manufactured object is first located in a particular site and valued through its
significance. Specific actions or interventions are included to prevent its decay. The design
process integrates several actors, various aims, specific period of times, and avaible tools to
achieve the goals.

So It is essential to take the rehabilitation intervention with the lifespan things. Lifespan
thinking refers to three topics during the design process: the past, the present, and the
future. It needs to respect the past rather than abandon it. Like, place back all subtractions
into the buildings for exhibition. Then, think of the present with the original and coming
situation. For example, A delicate analysis and assessment of the current energy system
rather than replacing it directly. Finally, providing more flexibility for future design. By putting
reversible components, the connections between the remaining and additions could be
substituted if necessary or for future interventions.

Figure 23.The former residence of the artist has been privately converted by the
developer(New Express,2021)
Figure 24. The fundamental factors
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