Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment

14
Conservation Policy
more directly related to design practice; for example, that the criteria for evaluating
the appropriateness of a proposed design should be founded on a scientific
analysis of the relationship between society and historic fabric. These resolutions
recognize the need for urban centers to change in order to accommodate
modern life, but they advocate that such change should not be allowed to happen
at the expense of local identity. Regarding the subject of new buildings in
historic areas, “modern architecture, making conscious use of present day techniques,
must respect the structural, aesthetic, historical and social qualities of
its old surroundings and be sensitive to the local vernacular.” This document
concludes by reinforcing the need for collaboration between architects, town
planners, and conservation professionals. (A.P.A.G.)
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) National Committees of
the Americas. 1996. The Declaration of San Antonio: Adopted at the
InterAmerican Symposium on Authenticity in the Conservation and
Management of the Cultural Heritage, San Antonio, Texas, March, 1996. http://
www.icomos.org/en/charters-and-texts/179-articles-en-francais/ressources/
charters-and-standards/188-the-declaration-of-san-antonio
This document is the result of a symposium on heritage authenticity organized
and attended by the various ICOMOS national committees of the Americas.
The symposium was a response to other international discussions on the same
subject, such as the professional meetings that had been held in Bergen and
Nara. Each section of the document explores how authenticity relates to different
aspects of conservation in the context of the Americas.
Article 5, “Authenticity in Dynamic and Static Sites,” classifies historic cities
and landscapes as dynamic sites, meaning they were formed by a continuous
and still active process of addition and adaptation. Thus, halting this additive
process would compromise the significance of the place. However, any new elements
in historic cities and landscapes still must be “harmonious with the character
of the whole.” (A.P.A.G.)
Le Corbusier. 1973. The Athens Charter. Translated by Anthony Eardley. New
York: Grossman.
This charter resulted from the 4th International Congress of Modern
Architecture (CIAM) that met in Athens in 1933. CIAM, an international organization
of avant-garde architects, was devoted to the discussion and promotion
of modern architecture. The 4th congress explored the theme of the “functional
city” by critically examining issues of housing, recreation, transportation, work,
and heritage and proposing solutions that stressed the importance of urban
planning.
Of the 95 points in the charter, points 65 through 70 on “Heritage of Historic
Cities” support the preservation of city layouts and building structures that
express earlier cultures while allowing sufficient changes to provide a healthy
environment for their inhabitants. Article 70 abolishes the use of past architecture
styles for new structures in historic areas. (A.P.A.G., S.L.)
Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment: An Annotated Bibliography - Getty Conservation Institute - 2015