18.10.2024

Buildings worthy of preservation – Restauro 07/24

Building design

Cover: The artist couple Gilbert & George have created a very special art center in an old brewery in the London district of Spitalfield. With a great deal of effort and attention to detail, they have breathed new life into the building, which is so typical of this part of London.

Everyone is talking about climate protection, but many people are unaware that the preservation of listed buildings can make an important contribution to this. In discussions with people from the heritage conservation sector, architects and restorers, we explore the opportunities and challenges involved. Exciting articles present successful restoration projects on listed buildings. The denkmal and MUTEC trade fairs take place in Leipzig every two years. While denkmal is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and renovation of old buildings, MUTEC presents innovations in the field of museum and exhibition technology. In the next issue of RESTAURO, we will focus on the trade fairs and report on which companies and institutions are represented at the trade fairs. You can also find out more about the exhibitors and their latest products, research and projects. […]

Everyone is talking about climate protection, but many people are unaware that the preservation of listed buildings can make an important contribution to this. In discussions with people from the heritage conservation sector, architects and restorers, we explore the opportunities and challenges involved. Exciting articles present successful restoration projects on listed buildings. The denkmal and MUTEC trade fairs take place in Leipzig every two years. While denkmal is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and renovation of old buildings, MUTEC presents innovations in the field of museum and exhibition technology. In the next issue of RESTAURO, we will focus on the trade fairs and report on which companies and institutions are represented at the trade fairs. You can also find out more about the exhibitors and their latest products, research and projects.

“Monuments need care!” – That’s probably what many of us think when we ask ourselves how to preserve listed buildings. But opinions differ on the best way to do this. While some bring modern materials into play, others swear by traditional craftsmanship.

In this issue of Restauro, we have looked at precisely these questions together with numerous experts. This time, the focus is not on imposing castles or stately palaces, but on seemingly inconspicuous buildings that can nevertheless tell us many stories. In one article, for example, we learn how a palace church is being brought back to life after decades of decay by dedicated restorers and a support association – with all the challenges that can arise in the process, such as concerns about the structural condition of the crypt or the restoration of the historic dome.

The Schnütgen Museum, which is housed in an old Cologne church, is also presented – a prime example of how historical substance can be preserved and a new use found at the same time without losing its sacred character.

Those who like it technical will also get their money’s worth: How do you preserve historic steel structures from decay? Or: Is it possible to reconcile monument protection and climate protection? This balancing act is discussed in an interview with Prof. Mathias Pfeil, who shows us that monument protection and modern requirements can certainly go together – if you do it right. In this issue, we would like to give you an insight into the many facets of preserving listed buildings. You will see: Sometimes the plaster may be crumbling, but the charm – that remains!

Yours sincerely,

Tobias Hager & Team

The magazine is available here in the store.

Our latest issue, 06/24, is all about “Education and studies”. Read more about it here.

20.01.2025

Design

A monument in granite

Building design

An archaic-looking monument stands in the heart of New York. Embedded in a park, granite weighing several tons forms a memorial space in memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his speech on the four freedoms.

Photo/©Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park/Iwan Baan

Almost a year ago, the time had come: the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park was opened to the public. The designs were drawn up in 1973 and 1974, but due to Kahn’s death and numerous other unfavorable circumstances, they have not yet been implemented. Now, forty years later, the stone testimony of granite blocks weighing tons sits enthroned at the tip of Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York. With millimeter precision, huge granite blocks form an atmospheric space, behind whose walls the skyline of the mega-city is relegated to secondary importance. Instead, the view is of the river, the bridge and the sky. In a tapering park, the visitor is led through avenues and withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of the city. Their attention is automatically drawn to the monument to the speech made by President Roosevelt on the eve of America’s entry into the war in 1941, in which he argued about the moral preconditions for military intervention.

Photo/© Rober Schäfer

Thirty blocks of granite, 3.70 meters high and weighing 36 tons each, are positioned on the north, west and east sides of the platform to create a memorial space measuring just 18 square meters and lined with granite slabs. This opens to the south side to unfold the magnificent panorama of the East River in front of the President’s words carved in stone.

Louis Kahn chose the granite for the monument himself. The stone had to be as pure as possible – without inclusions – and have an absolutely homogeneous surface. The architect attached particular importance to the stone surface not being veined in order to achieve the most glistening white-grey surface possible. This is why he ultimately chose the granite from Mount Airy in North Carolina. This quarry is the largest surface quarry in the world. The granite blocks and granite slabs were left as rough as possible in accordance with Louis Kahn’s specifications and were therefore not reworked or only minimally reworked.

Read more about the “Four Freedoms Memorial” in STEIN 5/2014.
You can find out more about Franklin T. Roosevelt, his presidency and his famous speech on the “Four Freedoms” on the “Digital Resource” website of the Four Freedom Park at fdr4freedoms.org.

22.10.2024

#KitchenInspiration

Stone meets kitchen

Building design

The large Dolomia stone block is a real eye-catcher. Who has a sink like this in their kitchen? The kitchen project by CovaCucine and furniture manufacturer Grassi Home features a linear kitchen that stands out from the crowd with the stone sink. The history of kitchen manufacturer CovaCucine began around 200 years ago and is now in its sixth generation. Not only the kitchen manufacturer, but also the GrassiHome furniture factory has been in existence for several generations since 1965.

Take a look at this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cova Cucine (@covacucine)