Interventions in historical structures – A Research in South Tyrol

In recent years, outstanding projects in South Tyrol’s historical atmosphere have been carried out, characterised both by sensitive handling with the existing structure and the quality and integrity of the architectural interference. A dialogue between old and new projects develops, interpreting the existing structure and bringing new meaning to the word “renovation”.

The selection of projects is consciously not limited to architectural monuments. Mere interaction with historical structures, city and village centres is an explosive topic in itself. It is just as interesting to renovate recent buildings, enhancing them through renovation and actually generating an appreciation in value.

In the publication, the fundamental problems of care for monuments are described: changing function and use, aesthetics of change. Renovation is represented along a “historical thread” passing through the Alps from north to south (Drs. Walter Hauser and/or Guglielmo Monti). South Tyrol holds a “intermediary position”, where the guidelines for preservation of monuments is particularly important (Dr. Helmut Stampfer, Martin Laimer).

The projects are divided into four theme groups:

Castles, Residences and Monasteries
– History of fragments and visible repairs, signs of age and aura

Historical Centres
– The Arcade as an Organism of Social Consensus: Backdrop Architecture

Country and Landscape
– Age value, novelty value and the timeliness of architecture

Modern Historical Monuments
– about the emergence of modern monuments and re-appraisal in monument preservation.

The projects are selected by a group of architects (Walter Gadner and Magdalena Schmid/Meran, Kurt Egger/Bruneck, Paulpeter Hofer and Susanne Waiz/Bozen) in the course of a nationwide search.