Recent pasts
Date
2008
Authors
Cys, J.
Lawrence, J.
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Conference paper
Citation
Responsibilities and opportunities in architectural conservation : theory, education and practice, 2008, pp.3-16
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5th Center for the Study of Architecture in the Arab Region International Conference (3 Nov 2008 : Amman, Jordan)
Abstract
Not yet 200 years old, the capital city of South Australia, Adelaide has a strong architectural preservation legacy which is increasingly in conflict with its desire to become a modern competitive 21st century city. This legacy also conflicts with what is a growing aspiration for Australia to develop its own regional design identity. The relative infancy of this built environment further accentuates Adelaide‟s places of Aboriginal heritage, which in their nomadic existence did not leave a built inheritance. While Adelaide has retained its colonial buildings not just for their historical significance but also because of a conservative rationale to maintain historical streets cape character and modest urban density which all contribute to the conservative character of the city. By comparison,her larger and wealthier eastern sister cities of Sydney and Melbourne appear to be more architecturally progressive. This has been manifest through a resolute program of demolition and redevelopment.So what becomes of Adelaide‟s imported built heritage? While still sitting proudly on some of the most prominent city sites, these buildings had outlived their commercial purpose. At best they became dysfunctional containers for transient commercial tenants and at worst left derelict, contributing little more than a quaint unresponsive streetscape presence. Recently, the creation of some successful contemporary interior propositions within these historic envelopes has emerged. Primarily, these redevelopments have been in response to the imperatives facing cities as they move further into the 21st century rather than in response to traditional preservation and conservation objectives. Through analysis of four case studies in Adelaide, the paper will discuss the valuable contribution adaptive reuse of the interiors of heritage buildings can make to the public experience and appreciation of heritage architecture as well as to the cultural and creative life and economy of a young, aspiring city.
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Copyright 2008 CSAAR