Buildings metabolism: From pre- existence to urban regeneration

A process of metabolism (from the Greek: metavol¿ to “change”) in buildings is necessary to meet the needs and demands of successive generations that inhabit the city. In this sense, the intention is to explore the potential of the pre-existence in the regeneration process of Portuguese cities in th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Beltran Borràs, Júlia|||0000-0001-8965-0795
Tipo de recurso: capítulo de libro
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/423141
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/423141
https://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003495338-15
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Historic buildings -- Conservation and restauration -- Portugal
Historic buildings -- Remodeling for other use -- Portugal
Urban renewal -- Portugal
Adaptive reus
Heritage
Building transformation
Edificis històrics -- Conservació i restauració -- Portugal
Edificis històrics -- Reconversió -- Portugal
Rehabilitació urbana -- Portugal
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Arquitectura::Restauració arquitectònica
Descripción
Sumario:A process of metabolism (from the Greek: metavol¿ to “change”) in buildings is necessary to meet the needs and demands of successive generations that inhabit the city. In this sense, the intention is to explore the potential of the pre-existence in the regeneration process of Portuguese cities in the XXI century. Six buildings from different cities included in “Building typology” research project database were selected. Methodologically, in order to explore the type and form of the architecture, the buildings and public spaces were analysed through drawings to represent what has been preserved from the past and what has been added in the last twenty years. In addition, the voice of the architects was used to understand the design strategies of mutation of form and materiality, fusion or opposition between different periods. The result is a critical series of urban fragments of Portuguese cities, in which the reused building becomes the main character. The dialogue with the pre-existence could be interpreted as a limitation to the freedom of design and innovation, but for some Portuguese architects it has become a design tool that has allowed them to encounter the balance between permanence and change when modifying a site and offering users a new place where memories and hopes could converge.