Abstract
Integration into architectural or urban context as an evaluation criterion is claimed to be subjective and hardly substantiated. In spite of its ambiguity, it is generally accepted as one of the basic demands in architectural design. So what the context is in architectural design? The article explores specific understandings of architectural-urban context from characteristic perspectives in urban heritage protection and management. From perspective of architectural heritage protection, context is physical architectural objects nearby, perceived visually in a static mode, and respected in interventions by achieving harmonious relationship with it. From the point of view of cultural landscape, context is an interacting natural and man-made environment, constantly changing according to place-specific natural and cultural processes; its processual character and the accumulated meanings that rise from imbedded experiences ought to be continued in following architectural transformations. Historic urban landscape approach assumes that context is constantly developing through urbanization, cultural, social and economic processes, which cultural uniqueness and identity is saturated by place-based meanings, experiences and emotional relationships attributed by local community, ought to be contributed in present-day architectural transformations. From the point of view of sustainable development, context is an inherited cultural, social, material, economic resource and a source of traditional knowledge, performance and behaviours to be adapted and carried on towards a greater sensitivity to the environment, culture, climate, and place, and for the wellbeing of local community.
Highlights
Integration into context as a criterion of architectural quality was excluded from Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Construction as a subjective and hardly substantiated one that tends for diverse interpretations (Dūdėnas, 2015, pp. 49–50; Lietuvos laisvosios rinkos institutas, 2015)
Creativity Studies, 2020, 13(2): 406–418 main evaluation criteria in architecture competitions, ratings and assessments of architectural objects. The application of this criterion raises discussions among the peers what context is, what content does it comprise in architectural design? The conceptual disputes between researchers and architects in practice, among the representatives of the fields of architectural design, urban design and heritage protection, and even among the professionals of different generations point to the need of establishing the common ground in defining what context is as a shared conception and applicable tool in creative design and evaluation of architecture
Based on particular understandings of context in categories analysed, the article aims to investigate the relativity of context perception, to discuss the differences, and to synthesize definitions – each specified and the integral one – of architectural-urban context to be shared by architects, urban designers, and heritage protection professionals, and ready to be applied in design, critique and research
Summary
Integration into context as a criterion of architectural quality was excluded from Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Construction as a subjective and hardly substantiated one that tends for diverse interpretations (Dūdėnas, 2015, pp. 49–50; Lietuvos laisvosios rinkos institutas, 2015). Based on particular understandings of context in categories analysed, the article aims to investigate the relativity of context perception, to discuss the differences, and to synthesize definitions – each specified and the integral one – of architectural-urban context to be shared by architects, urban designers, and heritage protection professionals, and ready to be applied in design, critique and research. Extended to larger historic urban areas, international doctrine still focuses on architectural objects and excludes urban elements like spatial relationships, urban pattern, existing functions, natural elements and landscape It is confusing, that even the international document for the protection of the natural landscape, “Recommendation Concerning the Safeguarding of Beauty and Character of Landscapes and Sites” (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, 1963), declares protection of landscape aimed to safeguarding its original condition, identifying it with a beautiful scenery, a “picture”, and treated as static object The fragmented and “monochromatic” view of what constitutes architectural character of the surrounding context results in superficial contextual approach in architectural design, and architectural interventions that feature clumsy relationship to their surroundings
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