Juxtaposing inside and outside: façadism as a strategy for building adaptation

Abstract

Façadism is usually described as the practice of preserving historical façades and the construction of new buildings behind them. While it became a frequently used strategy for urban conservation in the 1960s, it was strongly criticised as an architecture of poor quality that also led to a loss of authenticity in building. This article questions this predominantly negative perception of the practice of façadism to demonstrate its potential for contemporary architectural practice, especially in the field of adaptive reuse. As such, it does not strive to justify all forms of façadism, nor does it evaluate its compatibility with local legal frameworks regarding conservation and planning. The article rather seeks to launch a more nuanced discussion of various forms of façadism, based on a conceptual analysis of the subject to elaborate on its potential beyond its merely economic or pragmatic aspects. The article starts with a literature review to offer an overview of the definitions and interpretations of façadism. It then illustrates how four different forms of façadism (façade retention; refronting existing buildings; functional upgrading through façade intervention; and the creation of a coherent streetscape) are implemented in contemporary architectural practice. The ensuing conclusion is that façadism has the potential to become a valuable design strategy.