Emerging Forms of Preservation
The S AM Swiss Architecture Museum and the Oslo Architecture Triennale invite to a round table conversation set around the theme of maintenance and its significance for circular and nature-centered approaches in architecture. The session is organised in collaboration with the Chair of Construction Heritage and Preservation and the Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) at ETH Zurich.
The greenest building is the one that already exists: In the shift towards a more sustainable building practice, the act of preserving and caring for existing buildings in order to extend their lifespan is taking on a new significance. As awareness and commitment to circularity in architecture increases, what new challenges and potentials might this bring about for the theory and practice of maintenance? Whereas maintenance is still often associated with traditional methods and hands-on practice, what role might emerging technologies play in the ongoing upkeeping and repair of buildings?
The session brings together experts on preservation and circular building practices from Switzerland and Norway in order to exchange knowledge and discuss the role of maintenance in sustainable architecture and design, especially as it pertains to questions of value, temporality, and aesthetics.
This round-table conversation is part of the pre-programme of the Oslo Architecture Triennale “What if nature comes first?”: a series of collaborative events across Europe and beyond that aims to challenge established premises in architecture, urban planning, and the building industry, advocating for a shift from a linear anthropocentric position to a circular and nature-centered approach.
