Restauro e progetto

Over recent decades, the practice of replacing buildings across Europe has been greatly limited to include only a few metropolitan areas. This is a somewhat contained development with respect to the United States, where a progressive decrease in demolition and reconstruction can be seen; in comparison with large cities in China, where the phenomenon is growing; or in contrast with Japan, which is famous for its innovative and traditional methods of renovation. The European trend of employing totally or partially conservative practices has numerous positive consequences, such as the safeguarding of stratified and heavily built-upon landscapes, the containment of gentrification phenomena, and the permanence of sites and of the specific identities.This scenario has had a notable impact on the theory, consolidated over time, according to which “design” was centered around creating something new, restoring functionality, restyling recent buildings, and, at most, reconfiguring the internal area of minor buildings. “Restoration”, on the other hand, focused on monumental buildings and prestigious architecture, and also on ancient city centers and large-scale ancient architecture.