An Intergenerational Shift in Mindset

Abstract

The conservation, maintenance, and repair of the built environment have moved to the center of architectural discourse, driven by the urgent need for sustainable practices accompanied by a growing awareness of the finite nature of resources and the urgent need to build within the limits of planetary boundaries. Despite the need for a paradigm shift from demolition and replacement to keeping the built intact, a corresponding and meaningful change in the construction industry remains to be seen. Concepts and methods of monument preservation, which inherently focus on repair and maintenance, can in this context be applied to the broader built environment, including the younger building stock. An overview on teaching and research promoting repair at institutions such as the University of Applied Sciences in Munich and ETH Zurich highlights the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative building technologies in maintaining and improving existing structures, including high-tech and digitally fabricated buildings.