Tel Aviv - Preserving the Modern
Master's Degree in Architectural Design and History - Politecnico di Milano - 2020
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The course "Preservation Design of Historical Buildings", led by Prof. Renata Mazzantini, deals with the conservation of the urban landscape of Tel Aviv through individual interventions.
The approach to conservation presented in the course intertwines two of the most interesting aspects of conservation: the conservation of Modern architecture and urban landscapes. Through the course, we studied the innovative solutions for the conservation and management of the exceptional urban landscape of the White City of Tel Aviv, the world's largest and most cohesive urban example of Modern architecture. At the same time, we explored the pragmatic issues of conservation of Modern architecture, such as concrete degradation and environmental performance. Our preservation design proposal focuses on the restoration of 42-44 Hovevei Tsiyon St, a 1930s listed building which had been subject to an extensive renovation during the 1950s. Our goal was guided by a landscape approach with an emphasis on homogeneity and recognisability, which saw the removal of the 1950s ornamental elements which were damaging its integration within the wider Modernist context and affecting its state of conservation due to their improper construction. At the same time, we propose a rooftop extension as per Tel Aviv's management plan, whose sale would allow the financing of the renovation and maintenance of the lower levels. |