Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment

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Case Studies
Kucharek, Jan-Carlos. 2010. Sense and sensibility. RIBA Journal 44 (May): 44–48.
In this article, the author analyzes the design of the new Southgate Shopping
Centre, in Bath, England. This commercial development replaced an unsuccessful
Brutalist version that previously occupied the site, located at Bath’s historic
center. Kucharek discusses the architect’s difficulty in integrating modern construction
details in a traditionally designed facade. He argues that the classical
style was better employed at the urban design scale. (A.P.A.G.)
Moneo, José Rafael. 2010. Rafael Moneo: Remarks on 21 Works. Edited by Laura
Martínez de Guereñu. London: Thames & Hudson.
This monograph by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo (b. 1937) documents 21 of
his projects. Photographs and drawings of each of the projects are accompanied
by essays written by Moneo that “attempt to explain the guiding principles that
have inspired [his] work, that clarify [his] approach to architecture” (p. 9). As
many of the projects are located in historic settings, such as the Museum of
Roman Art, in Mérida (1980–86) and the Prado Museum extension in Madrid
(1998–2007), the essays provide insight into Moneo’s consideration of context
and his design approach when intervening in historic areas, as well as the theories
and works of past architects that have influenced his own principles. For
example, in his essay on the Previsión Española Insurance Company in Seville
(1982–87), Moneo addresses the question of how to build in historic cities. He
begins by revisiting earlier debates on the subject, particularly those in Italy in
the mid-20th century, before describing his analysis of Seville’s plan and interpretation
of its character. Moneo then discusses his design, describing how it
consolidates the city’s overall structure, marks the earlier city walls on the site,
and responds to the nearby Torre del Oro. Moneo concludes, “If the historic cities
that make up our heritage deserve to be preserved, it is difficult for the architect
to disregard an overall vision of the city” (p. 149). In his essay on the city
hall extension in Murcia (1991–98), Moneo discusses his approach to filling a
void at one side of the city’s main plaza and how his building coexists with the
others “without making stylistic references or concessions to the surroundings”
(p. 447). (S.L.)
Moore, Arthur Cotton. 1998. The Powers of Preservation: New Life for Urban
Historic Places. New York: McGraw-Hill.
This book is based on the author’s professional experience working with rehabilitation
projects in Washington, DC. He focuses on the political, social, and
economic contexts of interventions in historic urban environments. The author
presents his ideas through both successful and unsuccessful examples. Chapters
1, 2, 4, and 5 are structured around the presentation of these examples, grouped
by type of intervention: adaptation, restoration, downtowns, and cities. The
closing section of each chapter summarizes the lessons learned through the
examples presented. In chapter 3, Moore presents his opinions on design methodology,
which he organized along three different themes: incompatible additions
to historic buildings; differences between making a fake and properly
using a past style; and recommendations for a design process. Chapter 6 presents
the author’s conclusions. (A.P.A.G.)
Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment: An Annotated Bibliography - Getty Conservation Institute - 2015