Conservation of Modern Architecture and the Adaptation of New Requirements

In accordance with European levels, Italian Legislative Decree n.102/2014 requires the government to bring public buildings up to energy-efficiency standards, through a policy of energy audit, cost control management and implementation of measures to improve fuel saving. A significant number of public buildings were designed by famous architects of the Modern Movement and erected before, or after, World War II. Architects often experimented with materials - constructive techniques including architectural and functional principles considered innovative in contrast with tradition - even if the end products were more fragile. Such fragility refers to duration in time and thermal behaviour, often impeded because of large metal window frames, single glazing and thin facades. Alongside the historical heritage, public buildings erected as recently as seventy years ago are now listed (municipal offices, museums, schools, public buildings etc.) and, as such, they too qualify based on similar criteria, protection and compatible enhancement. This is perhaps even when building adaptation is not specifically linked to a new use but simply to an enhancement of its original intended use. It is, therefore, necessary to set up interdisciplinary research and working groups to develop and promote sensitive balanced decision-making processes designed to take into account constraints, conflicts and different objectives which arise when adaptively re-employing the heritage of the twentieth century. The process of conservation, maintenance, repair, adaptation and enhancement for energy efficiency present challenges – and sometimes even contradictions – which may arise regarding the notions of "origin" and "originality", "authentic" and "authorial", "modern" and "contemporary", all underlying reflection upon restoration (in the sense that Italian culture gives to the intervention on monumental historic heritage), especially when referring to Modern Architecture.