'facadism' in Hamburg
‘Facadism’ is a growing practice of developers and architects to retain only the existing facade of historic buildings. The structure is demolished but the face of a building stays intact. The original architecture is reduced to its most superficial elements - the facade. In the most radical form of ‘Facadism’ only the front elevation is maintained. Usually a radical change in the building’s architectural program and/or economic interests justify the method. ‘Facadism’ is a controversial balancing act between the demand for city renovation and people’s desire for preservation.
The ICOMOS Charters of Venice (International Council on Monuments and Sites) points out that “A monument is inseparable from the history to which it bears witness and from the setting in which it occurs. The moving of all or part of a monument cannot be allowed except where the safeguarding of that monument demands it or where it is justified by national or international interest of paramount importance.”
facadism = decorated shed? (from Venturi/Scott Brown - Learning from Las Vegas)
‘Facadism’ seems to be a too simple way of dealing preservation issues in architecture. It should be declined when only commercial interests lead to the destruction of quality interior spaces.
['Facadism' in German means 'Entkernung'. See the Novotel Hotel designed by A. Krischanitz (built by Atelier Hayde) as example of 'facadism' in Vienna, Austria.]
Novotel, by A. Krischanitz, image by Novotel, apparently the building was not published on Krischanitz's website
This prooves modernist architecture is incapable of doing anything better for the public at large. You can call it what ever you want, but it's an indigtment of modernism.
ReplyDeletein Barcelona this is also a very common practice. Developers sell the new condos as "refurbished classical property".
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, that in many situations, the ROI of an investment depends on doing something like this. Keeping the facade of a building let's say 10 storey high on an area that new planning has stablished only buildings up to 8 storeys may be built will allow the developer to still keep the 10 storeys because the work is not consider New, but restoration.