A critical encyclopedia of re-use of twentieth century architecture
© 2013 EPFL
Twentieth century architecture abounds. Built en masse and often on a tight budget, today many of these buildings are in need of restoration.
Professor Franz Graf is co-directing the compilation of a critical encyclopedia of restoration and re-use of twentieth-century architecture, which is becoming a reference work within the international scientific and academic communities, as well as for architects confronted with the task of bringing these buildings up to today’s standards while preserving the cultural heritage they represent. The Critical Encyclopedia further seeks to present contemporary architecture from an unconventional perspective: that of its material history. The work, which once completed will be available in four languages, is divided into three key areas: (i) industrially prefabricated construction materials, (ii) building-façade materials, and (iii) comfort, each time focusing on challenges and opportunities related to the restoration, preservation, and transformation of buildings. The first volume, focusing on industrially prefabricated construction materials, was published in 2012.