PROJECTING THE ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CONCEPT OF RESTORATION

Abstract

We analyze the evolution of the concept of rehabilitiation in architecture. We will part from the ideas of Ruskin and Viollet-Le-Duc, past the break catalyzed by the emergence of the Modern Movement, which introduces various organic interpretations in the second half of the twentieth century until, finally, a contemporary appreciation of the role of context in architecture takes place. We methodolologically exemplify this with particular EMBT (Miralles-Tagliabue) studio projects to establish that the architect, in this new approach, takes not only into account the building preexistences, but considers the ever transforming evolution of the global context (cultural, historical, physical, social,...) as the project’s true aim.