PER IL RIUSO DELL’ARCHITETTURA DEL XX SECOLO

With the introduction of industrial processes, the potential of historical architecture to undertake various functions and to re-use its original materials is no longer possible: ever more functionally specialized buildings have proved refractory to transformations, and even the seemingly most recently created materials and technologies nare rapidly becoming obsolete. This is particularly important in the case of buildings constructed between the 1950s and the year 2000, since problems arising from disposal of toxic materials, updating of plant, and dismantling of construction elements make both the reuse and the destruction of such buildings economically unfeasible. In-depth knowledge of materials and construction-related practices of industrial architecture can provide better approaches to these problems. Apart from preserving, restoring or demolishing such buildings, other ways of retrieving them do exist, and can make the regeneration of contemporary city-scapes economically viable.