Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment

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Design Approaches and Philosophies
in the book include the search for meaning and historicity in current (i.e., 1980)
architectural forms and a reassessment of the virtues of traditional architectural
forms that had been rejected by the Modern Movement. (L.M.)
Ray, Keith, ed. 1980. Contextual Architecture: Responding to Existing Style. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
In this book, the author uses examples to demonstrate different ways in which
design can create a relationship between a new building and the extant built fabric
surrounding it. The author divides the examples among four chapters according
to the scale of the intervention. Each chapter shows a range of design
solutions, from reproduction to sympathetic contrast. Chapter 4, “Infill,”
describes five approaches to designing new constructions in existing urban
contexts:
• “Reproduction” (preferably in a style not of an existing building) can be
appropriate if the context is homogeneous in terms of architectural
style.
• “Abstraction” is defined as a contemporary interpretation of the most
characteristic local features.
• “Buildings based on urban design” follow the characteristics of the
urban setting instead of building features.
• “Background buildings” are new constructions where the design tries to
minimize adverse impact on the local context by partially concealing
the new building or by blending with the context.
• “Sympathetic contrast” is a contrasting design that adds quality to the
urban context by unifying it or by creating a focal point where there
was previously none. (A.P.A.G.)
Also relevant for Chapter 4: Case Studies.
Richards, Kristen. 2003. History as prelude: Modern interventions in historic
context. Oculus 65 (1): 24–27.
This article is an account of an event organized by the American Institute of
Architects (AIA), New York Chapter, the Center for Architecture, and the James
Marston Fitch Colloquium to discuss the appropriateness of modern additions
to historic landmarks and neighborhoods. Examples from New York were presented
by their designers to illustrate how contemporary architecture can coexist
with historic buildings without compromising their integrity. In these
examples, the design solution resulted from a willingness to create a relationship
with the historic building. (A.P.A.G.)
Also relevant for Chapter 4: Case Studies.
Rogers, Richard. 1988. Belief in the future is rooted in the memory of the past.
RSA Journal 136 (5388 Nov.): 873–84.
This is a transcript of a talk delivered by British architect Richard Rogers at the
Royal Society of Arts on April 18, 1988. Among many subjects, Rogers advocates
for the advancement of modern architecture through further development
Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment: An Annotated Bibliography - Getty Conservation Institute - 2015