The Challenges of Defining the Borders of the Areas of Architectural Identity

Abstract

Determining precise boundaries between different territorial units is challenging due to various factors. Slovenia serves as example of country where defining boundaries of spatial units is full of challenges due to country’s diversity in various aspects. In architectural profession, it is possible to determine boundaries of architectural landscapes based on differences in placement of objects and their design. The work requires significant amount of data on buildings, which need to be processed and sensibly organized. In 1990s, Fister and colleagues delineated architectural landscapes and regions of Slovenia. However, even then, authors warned about the problem of changing building characteristics that define specific architectural landscapes or regions, and instability or possible alteration of boundaries between them. Some other disciplines also deal with similar problems where boundary-defining characteristics change. Several decades have passed since Slovenia’s first consideration of its architectural regions and landscapes, marked by devaluation of architectural identity and emergence of new building forms and purposes. As part of Targeted research project Architectural typologies and architectural landscapes and regions of Slovenia, we aimed to assess current situation in this field using various tools and the Method for Determining Architecturally Conditioned Spatial Identity (MAPPI). The detailed analysis of settlement of Prebold revealed significant impact of construction of new buildings in recent decades and the devaluation of architectural identity. This case has raised new questions, such as regulation of architectural appearance in characteristic areas, while also demonstrating the practical value of the MAPPI method for determining boundaries between architectural regions and landscapes.