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Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 61386

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paula Lopez-Arce

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Guest Editor

1. The Property Care Association (PCA), Huntingdon PE29 6FY, UK
2. Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE), University College London (UCL), London WC1H 0NN, UK
Interests: conservation of historic buildings; construction and building materials; characterisation; causes of decay; physico-chemical analysis; non-destructive techniques; IAQ of residential buildings; ventilation; diagnostics technology; environmental monitoring; damp, atmospheric moisture, condensation and mould growth assessment; salt crystallisation; nanoparticles; conservation-restoration treatments’ evaluation

Dr. Ainara Zornoza-Indart

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Department of Painting - Restoration section, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Leioa, Spain
Interests: Conservation of historic buildings; materials characterisation; construction and building materials; decay; salt crystallisation; diagnosis; nondestructive techniques; conservation-restoration treatments, nanoparticles, treatment evaluation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Protecting historic buildings from damage and loss due to natural and anthropogenic factors is a constant challenge. Gradual erosion occurs through the effects of weather, whereas extreme events such as earthquakes, fires or storms can lead to even greater, more rapid destruction. Architectural heritage can also be affected by intentional demolition and destructive actions or by poor design, inadequate interventions or the use of incompatible materials and products. All of these may result in accelerated decay, possibly ruinous, if no appropriate caring protective actions are taken.

The measures and methods we apply to protect our built heritage have been updated over time in response to the climatic, economic, architectural and social changes of the moment. Learning from past interventions should help us to find better solutions to achieve improved resilience and durability.

In this Special Issue, we invite original contributions describing new research, case studies, projects, reviews and state-of-the-art discussions related to the protection of buildings of historic, architectural or cultural importance. Submissions may concern theoretical or applied research in areas such as building physics, material science, engineering, archaeology, architecture or other fields applied to the preservation, conservation, restoration, reuse or reconstruction of these emblematic buildings.

We welcome papers on the following and related topics, including but not limited to:

Diagnosis and characterisation of damage of building materials and structures; in situ field test methods, nondestructive techniques, laboratory tests and analysis;
Testing and/or development of treatments, products or solutions; assessment of short and/or long-term effects; preventive conservation;
Environmental monitoring, moisture, condensation, mould growth and salt crystallisation;
Simulation and modelling: hygrothermal and thermodynamic predictive models;
Impact of climate change and environmental conditions; consequences from refurbishments and retrofitting measures: energy efficiency, ventilation, airtightness and moisture in buildings;
Digitalisation and documentation, data bases, past interventions, adaptation to new legislation;
New methodologies, digital and innovative technologies, building information modelling (BIM).

Dr. Paula Lopez-Arce
Dr. Ainara Zornoza-Indart
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Historic buildings
Conservation and restoration
Case studies and projects
Climate change, decay, resialiance, durability
Characterisation and testing of building materials
Portable and nondestructive techniques
Diagnosis and remediation treatments
Environmental monitoring
Simulation and modelling
New methodologies and technologies

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 107486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Genius loci Issue in the Revalorization of Post-Military Complexes: Selected Case Studies in Legnica (Poland)

by Marta Rudnicka-Bogusz

Buildings 2022, 12(2), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020232 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3703

Abstract

Barracks built at the turn of the 20th century and in the 1930s in garrison towns in the Western Borderlands of Poland serve as the focal point of their cultural landscape. Traditions, which grew around these structures during three independent periods (pre-war German times, the totalitarian post-war period and the contemporary free-market economy), form a continuous narrative of how the military contributed to development and helped shape the sense of local identity. Simultaneously, historic barracks complexes are a dissonant heritage due to the complicated history of these lands, known as the Recovered Territories, which includes a change in nationality, exchange of population and the Iron Curtain. After the army was restructured, many of these barracks were decommissioned and repurposed. Some of the adaptations obscured the barracks’ typological differentiators, which diminished their value as archives of cultural and social history. The study described in this paper conducted by the author helped to identify the features that differentiate military installations from other historic architecture and diagnose which of these features must be preserved in order to maintain the genius loci of the barracks complexes, i.e., their scholastic potential and sentimental value. Based on the acquired knowledge, this paper analyzed two adaptations of barracks in Legnica, one from each period of intensified militarism. This analysis resulted in the formulation of recommendations for future restorations of other barracks that still remain in their original form. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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17 pages, 6428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis for the Heritage Consideration of Historic Spanish Railway Stations (1848–1929)

by Aurora Martínez-Corral, Javier Cárcel-Carrasco, María Carmen Carnero and Carolina Aparicio-Fernández

Buildings 2022, 12(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020206 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2734

Abstract

This article presents the study carried out on the main Spanish historic railway stations to obtain a joint and comparative view of the current state of its heritage conservation. The temporal scope is limited to the construction period of the Spanish historic stations. A motivated selection of a series of extrinsic and intrinsic variables is proposed, checking heritage variables to evaluate the degree of adequate heritage protection. The conclusions of the study show the antithesis between what is to be protected (the railway station) and what is really saved (the passenger building), making it necessary to change the legal protection status from monuments to landscapes. Thus, various interventions can be observed on the disaffected land with no heritage connection. The material and technological valorisation of unique components such as the large platform and track roofs is ignored. It is also observed that the maintenance of railway use is essential and that global interventions lead to a more significant loss of significance than those carried out for maintenance purposes. This leads to the conclusion that preventive conservation is more effective in protecting this heritage than global interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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24 pages, 6630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disappearance and Sustainability of Historical Industrial Areas in Osijek (Croatia): Three Case Studies

by Lucija Kraus, Bojana Bojanić Obad Šćitaroci, Zlatko Karač and Ivan Kraus

Buildings 2022, 12(2), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020196 - 8 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3895

Abstract

Historical industrial areas are considered as areas of particular importance in terms of their heritage value and cultural significance. They are usually located in city centers and have great potential for economic, cultural and urban development. At the beginning of the 20th century, Osijek was well known as an industrial city, but the globalization had a ripple effect on the industry, leaving industrial sites of Osijek in ruins. Although comprehensive studies have not yet been made, field research into historical industrial areas of Osijek showed that they are mostly abandoned. A literature review showed that there is not even one document that contains locations and basic information on the historical industrial areas that existed in Osijek from 1824–1945. The aim of this paper is to define exact locations of historical industrial areas that existed in Osijek from 1824–1945 and to analyze their current state, their architectural, urban and identity features. The research resulted in a database containing basic information about 59 historical industrial areas in Osijek. An analysis and comparison of the current state of 13 remaining existing historical industrial areas in Osijek is given. The three case studies present detailed analysis, comparison and evaluation of observed historical industrial areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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27 pages, 16177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three Strategies in One Project—Revitalization of the International Export Company (Kiangsu)

by Linhua Hu, Meng Li and Qi Zhou

Buildings 2022, 12(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020133 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3246

Abstract

The International Export Company (Kiangsu) (IEC (Kiangsu)) was the earliest reinforced concrete industrial building group in China. Among similar buildings preserved to date, its huge scale and early construction period are very rare. In recent years, after the enterprise moved away, the IEC (Kiangsu) was transformed into a landmark complex integrating commerce, culture, and tourism according to the requirements of regional development. For early modern reinforced concrete buildings, in order to preserve their value as heritage sites and confirm their contemporary value as a space resource that meets political and economic requirements, it is necessary to conduct detailed historical research and value evaluation on them. The orientation of value evaluation must consider both heritage values and contemporary values. The choice of different technical means is adapted to the dynamics of value evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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23 pages, 67366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Architectural Significance of the Seokguram Buddhist Grotto in Gyeongju (Korea)

by Francisco Salguero-Andújar, Fulgencio Prat-Hurtado, Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill and Joseph Cabeza-Lainez

Buildings 2022, 12(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12010003 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4593

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to disclose the hidden architectural proportions and true nature of the Korean national treasure in Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju. The authors compare its features with those of other ancient hypogeal or ashlar constructions with the intention of rediscovering its relevant configuration and latent structural properties in order to demonstrate its uniqueness. The methods employed in the research belong initially to architectural design and composition to advance in the later stages to the nuances of stone masonry, lighting effects and especially cohesive construction. In this discussion and thorough analysis diverse philosophical and scientific subtleties are brought to the surface. The results demonstrate significant potential thanks to recent architectural developments, such as Tadao Ando’s Buddha Hill in Hokkaido (2017) and the authors’ own proposal for a Buddhist monument. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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23 pages, 16382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seismic Resistance of Timber Frames with Mud and Stone Infill Walls in a Chinese Traditional Village Dwelling

by Yinlan Shen, Xingchen Yan, Piyong Yu, Hui Liu, Guofang Wu and Wei He

Buildings 2021, 11(12), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120580 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3919

Abstract

Traditional Chinese wood residences consist of timber frames with masonry infill walls or other types of infill, representing valuable heritage. A field investigation of traditional village dwellings in northern China consisting of timber frames with mud and stone infill walls was conducted. Their construction characteristics are reported, and static cyclic tests were performed on two full-size wood-stone hybrid walls with different configurations (exterior transverse wall and internal transverse wall) and no openings (doors or windows). Their failure mechanics and seismic capacity, i.e., the strength, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation, were investigated. The results are compared with a previous experimental study of two full-size timber frames with the same traditional structure but no infill to determine the effect of the mud and stone infill on the lateral resistance. The experimental results indicate that the stone infill has a critical influence on the lateral performance of traditional village buildings, resulting in a high lateral stiffness, high strength (>20 kN), and a high ductility ratio (>10). An increase in the vertical load leads to an increase in the lateral resistance of the timber frame with infill walls, larger for the internal transverse wall than the external gable wall. The incompatibility of the deformation between the timber frame and stone infill is the main failure reason, resulting in falling stones and collapse with undamaged timber frames. Suggestions are provided for the protection and repair of traditional wood residences in northern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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20 pages, 6063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Visitor Walking on Airflow and the Bioaerosol Particles in Typical Open Tomb Chambers: An Experimental and Case Study

by Zhijian Liu, Minnan Wu, Hongwei Cao, Yongxin Wang, Rui Rong and Hangyao Zhu

Buildings 2021, 11(11), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11110538 - 14 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2131

Abstract

Effective maintenance of ancient buildings is paid more and more attention worldwide. Many ancient buildings with high inheritance value were gradually destroyed, especially for murals in the open tombs. The bioaerosol particles (BPs) are the major source of contamination in murals and visitor walking could increase this hazard. In order to study the impact of visitors walking on the air flow and the distribution of BPs in the typical tomb chambers, the k-ε and Lagrangian discrete phase model were adopted. The walking visitor was described by the dynamic mesh, and the concentration of BPs in the simulation was verified by experimental sampling. The distribution and migration mechanism of contamination in the chamber were dynamically analyzed. The results indicate that the denser vortex generated when a visitor was walking, and the concentration of BPs changed obviously. Therefore, the number of BPs deposited on some precious murals increased and the contamination location shifted in the direction of visitor walking. In addition, the deposition time of BPs was lagging which would cause potential risk. This research can provide scientific basis for reducing murals contamination during visitor visiting and a reference for the maintenance of ancient buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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21 pages, 14217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combining Multiband Imaging, Photogrammetric Techniques, and FOSS GIS for Affordable Degradation Mapping of Stone Monuments

by Efstathios Adamopoulos and Fulvio Rinaudo

Buildings 2021, 11(7), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11070304 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4025

Abstract

The detailed documentation of degradation constitutes a fundamental step for weathering diagnosis and, consequently, for successful planning and implementation of conservation measures for stone heritage. Mapping the surface patterns of stone is a non-destructive procedure critical for the qualitative and quantitative rating of the preservation state. Furthermore, mapping is employed for the annotation of weathering categories and the calculation of damage indexes. However, it is often a time-consuming task, which is conducted manually. Thus, practical methods need to be developed to automatize degradation mapping without significantly increasing the diagnostic process’s cost for conservation specialists. This work aims to develop and evaluate a methodology based on affordable close-range sensing techniques, image processing, and free and open source software for the spatial description, annotation, qualitative analysis, and rating of stone weathering-induced damage. Low-cost cameras were used to record images in the visible, near-infrared, and thermal-infrared spectra. The application of photogrammetric techniques allowed for the generation of the necessary background, that was elaborated to extract thematic information. Digital image processing of the spatially and radiometrically corrected images and image mosaics enabled the straightforward transition to a spatial information environment simplifying the development of degradation maps. The digital thematic maps facilitated the rating of stone damage and the extraction of useful statistical data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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28 pages, 21371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Memetic Evolution of Latin American Architectural Design Culture

by İlknur Akıner, İbrahim Yitmen, Muhammed Ernur Akıner and Nurdan Akıner

Buildings 2021, 11(7), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11070288 - 3 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4297

Abstract

Architecture is an evolutionary field. Through time, it changes and adapts itself according to two things: the environment and the user, which are the touchstones of the concept of culture. Culture changes in long time intervals because of its cumulative structure, so its effects can be observed on a large scale. A nation displays itself with its culture and uses architecture as a tool to convey its cultural identity. This dual relationship between architecture and culture can be observed at various times and in various lands, most notably in Latin American designers. The geographical positions of Latin American nations and their political situations in the twentieth century leads to the occurrence of a recognizable cultural identity, and it influenced the architectural design language of that region. The nonlinear forms in architecture were once experienced commonly around Latin America, and this design expression shows itself in the designers’ other works through time and around the world. The cultural background of Latin American architecture investigated within this study, in terms of their design approach based upon the form and effect of Latin American culture on this architectural design language, is examined with the explanation of the concept of culture by two leading scholars: Geert Hofstede and Richard Dawkins. This paper nevertheless puts together architecture and semiology by considering key twentieth century philosophers and cultural theorist methodologies. Cultural theorist and analyst Roland Barthes was the first person to ask architects to examine the possibility of bringing semiology and architectural theory together. Following an overview of existing semiological conditions, this paper analyzed Roland Barthes and Umberto Eco’s hypothesis of the semiological language of architectural designs of Latin American designers by examining their cultural origin. The work’s findings express the historical conditions that enabled the contemporary architecture and culture study of Latin America between 1945 and 1975 to address the “Latin American model” of architectural modernism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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21 pages, 9421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revitalization of Residential Buildings Dating Back to the Late 19th and Early 20th Century on the Example of “Willa Halina” in Sopot (Poland)

by Antoni Taraszkiewicz

Buildings 2021, 11(7), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11070279 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3699

Abstract

Residential buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century constitute an important element of the urban composition of many European cities, often determining their overall spatial expression. These buildings often require revitalization and sometimes also reconstruction or extension. Such activities make it possible to restore historical buildings to their former glory, but also to create new architecture, inscribed in the context of the place, yet bearing witness to modern times. Revitalization of historically and architecturally valuable but technically degraded residential buildings is one of the important elements of maintaining and sometimes rebuilding the image of modern cities and their sustainable development. However, revitalization activities require solving many problems of conservational nature, especially issues related to preserving the authenticity of the existing tissue, ways of reconstructing lost elements, and connecting historical architecture with contemporary architecture. Historic residential buildings of Sopot, a city located in Poland on the shores of the Baltic Sea, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, provide excellent research material for such considerations. In the article, the historical center of Sopot was examined, with particular emphasis on the historic Willa Halina from 1896 located there, which was revitalized (according to the design of the author of the article). Using such research methods as analysis of historical source material (iconography), observation (operationalization of preserved historical objects), comparative analysis of contemporary investments, and analysis of the revitalization design of “Willa Halina”, an attempt was made to present spatial and technical solutions leading to the desired effects in the revitalization process. This work aims to show (on the example of Willa Halina in Sopot) the author’s method of revitalizing valuable, historical residential buildings, complying with international conservation standards, including the Venice Charter, adopted in 1964 by the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historical Monuments. The paper also aims to present spatial and technical solutions leading to desired effects in the revitalization process, consistent with the idea of sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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24 pages, 18864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Historical Study and Conservation Strategies of “Tianzihao” Colony (Nanjing, China)—Architectural Heritage of the French Catholic Missions in the Late 19th Century

by Yinghan Li, Xuanfan Li, Qiaochu Jiang and Qi Zhou

Buildings 2021, 11(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11040176 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4590

Abstract

The “Tianzihao” colony was built by the French Jesuits in the 1890s. As one of the earliest examples of the French Catholic Church’s mission in China, as well as the only case in Nanjing, it shows the historical scenes of Western missionaries in Nanjing 120 years ago. It is a demonstration of cultural exchanges between China and the West after China opened to the Western world in the late 19th century. In architectural style, the “Tianzihao” colony is Western-style townhouses, but a large number of traditional Chinese architectural technologies were used for it, and therefore it is characterized by Western space and Chinese technology. The “Tianzihao” colony was badly damaged during these decades, with a lot of decayed building materials and structures on the verge of collapse. Based on the historical research and technical analysis of the “Tianzihao” colony, this article explores the conservation strategies and methods of reusing the architectural heritage. In addition, this article is to study the characteristics of the times before introduction of Western architectural technology in Nanjing based on an analysis on the building technology used for the “Tianzihao” colony. The authors participated in the conservation and restoration project of the “Tianzihao” colony, and the objective of this study was achieved through some qualitative methods, including collection and analysis of archival data, analysis of old maps and photos, architectural mapping and a large amount of historical information found in the conservation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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15 pages, 13204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Lime Binders for Restoration Work

by Valentina Loganina, Kristina Sergeeva, Roman Fediuk, Sergey Klyuev, Nikolai Vatin and Yuriy Vasilev

Buildings 2021, 11(3), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030098 - 5 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2130

Abstract

Lime mixes are the primary material for restoration work in historic buildings. The research object of this study is modifying lime binders with specially synthesized calcium silicate hydrates (CSHs). This study aimed to improve lime render mixes’ weather resistance. The following factors were considered: the density of the liquid glass, the amount of the precipitating additive, the rate of introduction of the precipitating additive, the drying mode of the precipitate, and the storage time of the precipitate. The research methods were X-ray diffraction analysis, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and optical and electron microscopy. It was revealed that lime compositions with CSH have a higher strength gain rate than the control compositions. A mathematical model of the kinetics of hardening a lime composite based on a binder filled with CSH was obtained. The regularities of the change in the lime composite’s strength depending on the filler grinding’s fineness, its content, and the amount of mixing water have been established. It was revealed that the introduction of CSH into the lime composition increases the weather resistance of facade lime mixtures by reducing the porosity and increasing the volume of closed pores of the composite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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22 pages, 2782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Public Role for the Effectiveness of the Territorial Enhancement Initiatives: A Case Study on the Redevelopment of a Building in Disuse in an Italian Small Town

by Pierluigi Morano, Francesco Tajani, Felicia Di Liddo and Paola Amoruso

Buildings 2021, 11(3), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030087 - 27 Feb 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3098

Abstract

The present research is focalized on public-private partnership (PPP) procedures as a driving force of urban sustainable development. The paper intends to point out the relevant role played by the public administrations in the implementation of these mechanisms aimed at degraded urban area renovation, public property assets enhancement, or ex novo realization. In this sense, in the existing reference literature, the private investor tasks and risks have been often explored, neglecting the significant public entities position. The efficiency in the use of the PPP is verified through the discounted cash-flow analysis (DCFA) implementation: the assessment of the costs and the revenues derived from the project allows the private investor to verify the financial feasibility of the initiative. In the context outlined, the public administration could contribute to the success of the intervention through a periodic fee paid to the private investor in order to ensure the financial convenience of the project. In the present research, a functional reconversion operation related to a building located in the small town of Cesano Romano (Italy) and carried out through the PPP operational tool, has been illustrated. In the analysis, a public monetary amount has been considered and determined, able (i) to guarantee the financial sustainability for the private investor and (ii) to comply with the regulatory constraints in the Italian context. Finally, a scenario analysis has been developed to identify the situation/s in which public participation is necessary for the convenience of the initiative and to quantify this monetary amount. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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21 pages, 7700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Domesticity ‘Behind Bars’: Project by Rem Koolhaas/OMA for the Renovation of a Panopticon Prison in Arnhem

by Elena Martinez-Millana and Andrés Cánovas Alcaraz

Buildings 2020, 10(7), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10070117 - 30 Jun 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 10656

Abstract

This article focuses on the project for the renovation of a Panopticon prison in Arnhem, the Netherlands (1979–1980), designed by Rem Koolhaas/OMA. The analysis of its reception shows that, despite being well known, it has been little studied and discussed, and although it was not built, it had an impact on prison architecture. It seems appropriate to tackle it now because the Koepelgevangenis (dome prison) of Arnhem has gained current relevance due to plans for it to be turned into a hotel. The renovation project for the Koepelgevangenis explicitly shows the presence of Foucault’s ideas on power and how these ideas exerted significant influence on the works carried out by Koolhaas. For Foucault, the Panopticon prison, such as the Koepelgevangenis, was the paradigmatic example of what he called the “disciplinary society”. Domesticity “behind bars” suggests that prisons can also be understood as domestic spaces. Moreover, it could be said that for Koolhaas, this Panopticon prison was a social condenser or a hotel for voluntary or involuntary prisoners. As a prison or as a hotel, it can also be interpreted as Foucault’s heterotopia, the intervention thus acquiring a new meaning which anticipated the future of this unique building. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural Value)

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