Department:

Technical Sciences

Course Leader:

asist.dr.arh. Raluca-Maria Trifa

Teaching language:

Romanian

Learning outcomes:

• To acquire knowledge of contemporary theories of rehabilitation in relation to the principles of sustainable development, and to develop the ability to approach existing buildings as reusable resources.
• To understand the Romanian built heritage and its current challenges, while also assimilating international experience in the field of rehabilitation.
• To develop the ability to evaluate both the use potential and the cultural significance of buildings, including minor historic architecture and recent heritage.
• To gain knowledge of the technological characteristics of pre-modern architecture and their implications in rehabilitation processes.
• To acquire the competence to design rehabilitation interventions that address contemporary functional requirements without altering the intrinsic quality and authenticity of historic buildings.
• To develop the capacity to identify compatible functions for existing buildings.
• To assess reuse potential and formulate functional conversion strategies for buildings with redundant functions.
• To become familiar with the range of possible interventions, including transformations at the level of volume, envelope, and interior layout, as well as specific approaches to ruins.
• To build skills in comparative analysis through case studies of diverse typologies (urban and rural housing, industrial and utility buildings, religious and military structures, recent heritage, and historic ensembles).
• To understand legal and normative frameworks governing the reuse of the built stock and to integrate them into the design process.
• To foster critical thinking on the phenomenon of adaptive reuse and cultural regeneration, with references to current examples of best practice at both national and international levels.

Content:

Rehabilitation of the Built Heritage and Sustainable Development. Specific requirements for the rehabilitation and reuse of the built stock. Applicable norms and legislation. Specific aspects of architectural heritage.
Treatments applied to the built heritage: terminology. Theory of rehabilitation: specific issues and general principles.
Cultural value vs. use value in the context of rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation of buildings with redundant functions through adaptive reuse – principles and case studies.
Assessing the reuse potential. Analysis and evaluation of the context and of the object of intervention. Determining compatible functions.
Strategies and types of intervention.Transformations at the level of volume, envelope, and interior layout. Specific aspects of the ruin.
Building typologies and case studies: Residential buildings in urban and rural contexts; community buildings; industrial, utility and infrastructure buildings; cultural, religious, and military buildings; recent heritage; urban ensembles and historic neighborhoods.
The design process of the rehabilitation intervention - stages. The role of the multidisciplinary team.

Teaching Method:

Lectures with digital image support. Analyses and discussions on case studies.

Assessment:

Assessment is carried out through a written exam or multiple-choice test at the end of the semester (70%) and through the submission and presentation of a coursework assignment during the semester (30%), consisting of a critical analysis of a topic selected from a list provided by the tutor; this component is optional and requires prior registration.

Bibliography:

• Alavedra, Isabel, and Eva Marín, eds. Converted Churches. Antwerp: Tectum Publishers, 2007.
• Amougou, Emmanuel. Rehabilitation of Architectural Heritage: A Sociological Analysis of the Domination of Notables. Paris: L’Harmattan, 2001.
• Baglioni, Adriana, and Giovanna Guarnerio. Building Renovation: Technologies for the Recovery of Old Constructions. Socio-environmental, Economic, and Legislative Aspects. Milan: Hoepli, 1982.
• Bardelli, Pier Giorgio, and Carlo Caldera, eds. Enhancement and Recovery of the Building Heritage in Italy: Comments and In-depth Analyses. Turin: Celid, 2007.
• Bloszies, Charles F. Old Buildings, New Designs: Architectural Transformations. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2013.
• Bollack, Françoise Astorg. Old Buildings, New Forms: New Directions in Architectural Transformations. New York: Monacelli Press, 2013.
• Bordage, François, and Françoise Faure. The Factories: Conversions for Urban Culture. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2002.
• Brooker, Graeme, and Sally Stone. Re-readings: Interior Architecture and the Design Principles of Remodelling Existing Buildings. London: RIBA Enterprises, 2004.
• Cantacuzino, Sherban. New Uses for Old Buildings. London: Architectural Press, 1975.
• Cantacuzino, Sherban. Re/Architecture: Old Buildings/New Uses. London: Thames and Hudson, 1989.
• Cramer, Johannes, and Stefan Breitling. Architecture in Existing Fabric: Planning, Design, Building. Berlin: Birkhäuser, 2007.
• Crișan, Rodica. Rehabilitation of the Built Heritage: Theory and Technique. Ozalid Publishing, 2023.
• Crișan, Rodica. Rehabilitation of Traditional Urban Housing. Paideia Publishing, 2004.
• Crișan, Rodica,. Integrative Analysis of the Cultural and Use Value of Existing Buildings. “Ion Mincu” University Press, 2004.
• Crișan, Rodica, Macri Zina, and Andra Panait (eds). Visions on Mass-Housing Sustainable Rehabilitation. “Ion Mincu” University Press, 2011.
• Crișan, Rodica, and team. Rehabilitation of Apartment Blocks with Additional Floors Using a Metal Structural System. “Ion Mincu” University Press, 2008.
• Cunnington, Peter. Change of Use: The Conversion of Old Buildings. London: Alpha Books, 1988.
• Douglas, James. Building Adaptation. 2nd ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006.
• Epstein, Renaud. Urban Renewal: Demolition–Reconstruction of the State. Paris: Presses de Sciences Po, 2013.
• European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE). Thematic publications in the series Transactions on Architectural Education, available at https://www.eaae.eu/publications/transactions
• Feilden, Bernard M. Conservation of Historic Buildings. 3rd ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.
• Feilden, Bernard M. and Jukka Jokilehto. Management Guidelines for World Cultural Heritage Sites. Rome: ICCROM, 1998.
• Fisher, Annette. New Architecture Through the Reuse of Old Buildings and Facilities / New Life in Old Buildings. Stuttgart & Zurich: Verlag, 1992.
• Franco, Giovanna, and Anna Magrini. Historical Building Pathology and Rehabilitation. 2024.
• Giebeler, Georg, Rainer Fisch, Hans Krause, Franz Musso, Klaus Petzinka, and Achim Rudolphi. Refurbishment Manual: Maintenance, Conversions, Extensions. Basel, Boston & Berlin: Birkhäuser, 2009.
• Gorse, Christopher, and David Highfield. Refurbishment and Upgrading of Buildings. London & New York: Spon Press, 2009.
• Henehan, Donal, David Woodson, and Steve Culbert. Building Change-of-Use: Renovation, Adapting, and Altering Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Properties. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
• Highfield, David. The Construction of New Buildings Behind Historic Façades. London & New York: Spon Press, 1991.
• Highfield, David. Refurbishment and Upgrading of Existing Buildings. London & New York: Spon Press, 2000.
• Highfield, David. The Rehabilitation and Re-use of Old Buildings. London & New York: Spon Press, 1987.
• IBO (Institute for Building Biology and Ecology). Details for Passive Houses: Renovation. Vienna, 2014.
• Jäger, Frank Peter, ed. Old & New: Design Manual for Revitalizing Existing Buildings. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2010.
• Jokilehto, Jukka. A History of Architectural Conservation. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2017.
• Lanzarone, Fulvio, Tiziana Firrone, and Maria Crocetta Cuffaro. Building Recovery and Energy Requalification of Buildings: Interventions for Maintenance and Sustainability. Palermo: Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2018.
• MacKeith, Michael. The History and Conservation of Shopping Arcades. London and New York: Mansell Publishing, 1986.
• Morisset, Lucie, Luc Noppen, and Thomas Coomans, eds. What Future for Which Churches? Québec: Presses de l’Université du Québec, 2005.
• Musso, Stefano Francesco. Recovery and Restoration of Historic Buildings: A Practical Guide to Surveying and Diagnostics. Rome: EPC Libri, 2016.
• Papanicolaou, Stella, and Michael Louw. Buildings Reimagined: A Dialogue Between Old and New. London: Routledge, 2022.
• Pereira Roders, Ana, and Francesco Bandarin, eds. Reshaping Urban Conservation. 2025.
• Plevoets, Bie, and Koenraad Van Cleempoel. Adaptive Reuse of the Built Heritage: Concepts and Cases of an Emerging Discipline. London: Routledge, 2019.
• Plevoets, Bie, and Koenraad Van Cleempoel. “Theoretical Development on Adaptive Reuse: A Historic Overview.” In process.
• Powell, Kenneth. Architecture Reborn: The Conversion and Reconstruction of Old Buildings. New York: Rizzoli, 1999.
• Rabun, J. Stanley, and Richard Kelso. Building Evaluation for Adaptive Reuse and Preservation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
• Robert, Philippe. Adaptations: New Uses for Old Buildings. Paris: Éditions du Moniteur, 1989.
• Schirano, Cosimo. Building Renovation – Recovery of the Existing Building Heritage: The Problem of Urban Reuse. Practical Cases. Naples: Sistemi Editoriali, 2005.
• Schittich, Christian, ed. Creative Conversions: Building in Existing Fabric – Refurbishment, Extensions, New Design. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2003.
• Scott, Fred. On Altering Architecture. London: Routledge, 2008.
• Stratton, Michael, ed. Industrial Buildings: Conservation and Regeneration. London: Taylor & Francis, 2000.
• Tostões, Ana. Modern Heritage: Reuse, Renovation, Restoration. Lisbon: DOCOMOMO International, 2012.
• Trifa, Raluca. Historic Industrial Architecture: Possibilities for Sustainable Recovery. The Case of Timișoara. ACS Publishing, 2023.
• Van Hooydonck, Eric. “Soft Values of Seaports: A Plea for Soft Values Management by Port Authorities.” Proceedings of the European Sea Ports Organisation Annual Conference, Stockholm, 2006.
• Wall Gago, Catarina. Renovation of a Built Heritage: Between Preservation and Domestic Comfort. Geneva: MetisPresses, 2022.
• Wong, Liliane. Adaptive Reuse: Extending the Lives of Buildings. Basel: Birkhäuser / De Gruyter, 2016.
• Wong, Liliane. Adaptive Reuse in Architecture: A Typological Index. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2023.
• Wong, Liliane, and Markus Berger, eds. Interventions and Adaptive Reuse: A Decade of Responsible Practice. Basel: Birkhäuser / De Gruyter, 2021.

Notes:

The course is complemented by design exercises within the homonymous
elective project (ST-81) in the same semester.