posted on 2005-04-15, 00:00authored byRaluca Maria Manoliu
Since ancient times, the creation of new cities or their regeneration went hand in hand with the evolution of architecture. Both by pleasure, as well as by necessity, society leaves behind built marks which are trying to represent it the best way possible. The aim of my thesis is to find a correct approach to the issue of urban revitalization through architectural means, in the context of a specific urban frame, of a particular history, culture and way of life. The thesis is divided in two. The first part is concerned with the issues raised by the building of a new structure in the urban texture of an old, medieval city, namely a faculty of architecture that the town needs and requests. The second part works with the concepts and controversies between conservation/ reconstruction/ renovation/ rehabilitation/ reconversion, about what each of them can offer, and what is the right answer for a particular problem, if there is such a thing as a uniquely right answer. What unites the two parts is their role in revitalizing the life of the city, rebuilding a broken bridge between the community and a part of the city which, although central and of high importance by its role of linking the Upper Town with the Lower Town, has fallen in disgrace and oblivion. Architecturally, the focus falls on the new proposed building. The aim is to reach harmony with the built context. Not to intrude manifesting an unnecessary originality, but also not to vanish into the fabric of the city, by imitating the old. The solutions is to come from a sound understanding of the city, of its rhythms, of its proportions, of its musical successions of historical periods and different architectural styles, of its topography, with the ascending and descending paths, all of which make the beauty and give the unique character of the town. The new building will have to be integrated in the site by means of volume, profile or silhouette in the urban landscape; by the coherence with the environment; by the presence of History – allusive or direct signs of the past in the materials used, in textures or compositions; and by the dialogue between History and contemporary needs in terms of new needs, of the composition of spaces and new technologies. The rehabilitation of the Asylum cloister intents to conclude the effort of reinventing life in an abandoned space in a successful way. The project of installing an innedit Museum of the City and an exhibition place for medieval objects of cult rescued from ruined churches and fortresses throughout Transylvania into the old, reinforced structure of the Asylum Church, and the creation of new studio spaces for the local artists combines the old with the new, history with contemporary art and architecture, presenting history through contemporary mediums, immerging the visitor in the past while keeping him in the present, through the means of technology.