The Ecological Cult of Heritage (original) (raw)

Since society's origin, it has been shelters for mankind to live and work. There, men were protected from their environment, but those shelters would inevitably decay, since all materials have their own lifespan. Old shelters would either be maintained and the degradations repaired, demolished and their old quality materials reused in the new shelter, or simply abandoned when not burned down. In time, shelters became buildings constructed with stronger materials, increased in lifespan and environmental resistance; nevertheless the same approaches regarding building's decay subsisted and still does nowadays. However, the environment changed, and now we face a demographic explosion combined with an endless use and contamination of natural resources. Ancient buildings became following generations objects of cult, re-titled as antiquities, historic monuments, monuments, historic city, urban heritage, cultural heritage, etc. Yet within the heritage globalization, interventions are often stimulated by other aims, rather economical and exploitive. Lifespan rehabilitation of built heritage born conceptually in 2002 and is now under development in a PhD research, during 2004-2007. We intend to develop conscious guidelines-theoretical and technological-for built heritage interventions, with its building process entirely lifespan planned: from pre-design till demolition, preconsidering the reuse or recycle of all included components and materials. All existing buildings, more than one generation old, can be considered as built heritage, as long as distinguished by inherent cultural values. These buildings represent the environment of their inhabitants and their daily actions, reflecting the traditions of architectural design and technological craftsmanship. But built heritage will only achieve future generations and contribute for their development, if modern interventions are conscious, adaptable for spatial conversions, expansions and deconstructions, facilitating management and maintenance of all their components and infrastructures. Only then, the 21 st century needs can be easily and wilfully integrated without damaging the existent building character.