Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment

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Design Control and Regulation
The plan outlines the assessment process to understand character and context.
The process includes desk and site surveys and an analysis of the survey work
that classifies the character of the place. The outcomes of this work include an
understanding of a place’s sensitivity to change and a constraints and opportunities
analysis for future development and regeneration. The assessment considers
the historic charter of a place in addition to sustainability, quality of design,
population density, safety, and visual and physical connections to other places.
The document includes several examples of constraints and opportunities analyses
of existing or proposed developments in London. (L.M.)
Lira, Flaviana Barreto, and Virgínia Pontual. 2006. Is conciliation of the old and
the new possible? Urbanistic instruments applied to the historical area of the
downtown district of Bairro do Recife – Pernambuco. City & Time 2 (1):
27–46. http://www.ceci-br.org/novo/revista/docs2005/CT-2005-43.pdf
This article analyzes how planning policies can help influence harmonious solutions
for new buildings in historic neighborhoods. The article was based on
research conducted in Recife, Brazil, but the authors argue that the planning
policies analyzed were similar to others found elsewhere in the world. Therefore,
the conclusions might be helpful to professionals from other localities. The
authors begin by describing the urban morphology, its formation, and the typical
building typologies from Bairro do Recife, a historic district in Recife. In
order to evaluate the efficacy of current planning policies in the protection of
this neighborhood’s character, the authors simulated various solutions to new
constructions that might be permitted. The morphology study constituted the
foundation for determining whether the possible solutions to infill construction
were appropriate or not. Research concluded that current policies allowed new
buildings that could undermine the historical character of the place. However, it
also showed that it was possible to increase the built area and introduce new
buildings without threatening the local character by using the morphology study
as guidance. (A.P.A.G.)
Also relevant for Chapter 4: Case Studies.
Loew, Sebastian. 1998. Modern Architecture in Historic Cities: Policy, Planning,
and Building in Contemporary France. London: Routledge.
In this book, Loew analyzes the factors influencing the integration of contemporary
architecture in historic cities in France. The author justifies choosing
France as a case study based on the frequency with which contemporary architecture
buildings are inserted in historic environments and are accepted by the
local people without reverting to the use of past styles or facadism. Chapter 3
describes the different control mechanisms applicable to new constructions in
France. Chapter 4 analyzes case studies in five French cities where the design
approval process was composed of negotiations between the parties involved in
order to reach a satisfactory solution. Chapters 5 and 6 identify the parties
involved in this negotiation process and analyze their contributions. (A.P.A.G.)
Also relevant for Chapter 4: Case Studies.
Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment: An Annotated Bibliography - Getty Conservation Institute - 2015