Journal Article

On the Sustainability of Modern Architectural Heritage and Preservation

Evangelidou, Stella

2025

Overview

In recent decades, growing environmental concerns in architecture have coincided with the increasing focus on the preservation of architectural heritage, particularly, that of the Modern Movement. Sustainability in architecture is viewed as a certain attitude and approach to design, construction and building operation, assessed by rating systems that apply the same criteria to both new and existing structures. For this reason, the discussion on the sustainability of the Modern architectural heritage is still considered by many to form an ambition and a paradox. This paper explores contemporary discourse on the sustainability and preservation of modern architectural heritage. It first examines architectural preservation through the key components of reuse, renovation, and restoration. The strategic design decisions toward such a task require a deep understanding of the Modern Movement’s ideology, extending beyond stylistic concerns to material choices, social and aesthetic values, and the movement’s innovative and technological agenda. Additionally, this study contextualizes sustainability within modernist-era perspectives on climate and economy. A particular focus is given to the modern architecture of the Mediterranean, analyzing how design elements such as brise-soleils, long cantilevers, materials, cross-ventilation, orientation, and landscaping contribute to sustainable principles. This analysis highlights the intersection between sustainability and cultural preservation, emphasizing the need to expand sustainability concepts when assessing modernist buildings. Finally, the paper presents contemporary case studies from various countries, showcasing projects that have successfully adapted modernist buildings through reuse, renovation, and restoration. These examples illustrate structural, energy, and regulatory challenges encountered in such interventions, offering insights into best practices for balancing sustainability with heritage conservation. By reframing sustainability in modernist preservation, this study argues for a broader, more nuanced approach that integrates new assessment methods and design strategies to ensure the longevity of modern architectural heritage.

• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Subject: Architecture / Best practice / Buildings / Design / Design analysis / Modernism / Modernization / Preservation / Restoration / Sustainability