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Buildings and Towers Renovations

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macedonia View Drop Down
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  Quote macedonia Quote  Post ReplyReply #1 Topic: Buildings and Towers Renovations
    Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 04:46
Hello everyone, can I say a few words relating to Skopje's architecture from 1960s and 1970s? I just wanted to say that the buildings from this period, such as the student dormitories, the post office, and the several apartment buildings - many are saying that these buildings are problematic and are ugly and that's why we need baroque and neoclassical buildings. Changing the facades from modern to classical is not the solution. In my honest opinion, the problem with Skopje's buildings from the 1960s and 1970s is this: They are not maintained!!! What I mean is these buildings have been neglected!!! The facades are broken and dirty, and their current condition do no reflect their true nature from when they were built. This is the problem! For example, many think that the Skopje post office is an ugly building, right? But when I look at it, it is not the architecture that is ugly. It is the current condition that is ugly: dirty facade, out dated windows, trees-shrubs-weeds and bushes growing everywhere around the structure, broken sidewalks, no landscaping, broken lamps, etc. Now let's imagine if the facade was repaired and painted a fresh color, all of the bushes removed with new landscaping, new sidewalks, modern efficient windows installed, new lighting, etc. This will make a major difference and a huge improvement. In other words, taking a socialist building and adding a classical facade will not solve the problem, because guess what, in 20 years the facade will be broken again like it is now. The solution is to renovate Skopje's buildings and make them energy efficient, but also to maintain them and their surroundings regularly. Energy costs are rising which is why renovating and going energy efficient is an important investment. A good example would be the buildings along the city-wall. I have noticed that many countries in Eastern Europe are renovating their commie-blocks.

Even in Canada, the city of Toronto has created what I think is a world leading example of should be done. The created a program called "Tower Renewal" which combines renovating apartment complexes with other things such as raising environmental standards, revitalizing communities, and creating economic activity.

I URGE EVERYONE HERE TO READ IT:

http://www.toronto.ca/tower_renewal/about.htm
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OCB View Drop Down
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  Quote OCB Quote  Post ReplyReply #2 Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 06:23


Amen to that. Although it has a potential of becoming a true trademark of Skopje, brutalist architecture is frustratingly neglected and left to decay. Some people consider the buildings gruesome and there are others who link them to communism. I do understand and respect the feelings of the first group. Brutalism is an extreme style and you either love it or hate it. Regarding the second group; I think we should neither demolish nor modify a building only because it was built in a certain period of our history as a nation.

The structures have become a part of everyday life for many people and they don't really pay attention to them. Honestly, I was one of these people but after living and traveling through a number of European countries the way I look at the buildings has changed. You don't really get to see similar buildings around Europe. Together with the oriental Old Bazar and the Kale Fortress, brutalist structures are probably the most important landmarks of the city.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and please note that I will soon post a new topic about brutalist architecture in Skopje.
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  Quote mladen_s Quote  Post ReplyReply #3 Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 11:08
On a more global level, the architecture from the modern period is endangered as well. However, some well organised initiatives do exist, such as DOCOMOMO. Visit their website for some fine examples of preservation initiatives:

http://www.docomomo.com

Among the local chapters I did notice Slovenia and Serbia. Yet, it is the architects (especially ones specializing in preservation) and art historians from Macedonia who should join in order to gain a wider support for their cause.



Edited by Cloverstack - 23-Jan-2012 at 11:37
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macedonia View Drop Down
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  Quote macedonia Quote  Post ReplyReply #4 Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 18:26
I think Skopje has the potential to become a Modernist Heritage Hub of the world, but it has to start renovating and revitalizing its structures. Otherwise they will continue to decay and damage Skopje's image, and will one day fall victim to either demolition or a "classical makeover".
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  Quote zabegan Quote  Post ReplyReply #5 Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 22:36
it would be easy if that's the case only with the 60's and 70's architecture
there isn't even one building in Skopje that is properly and regularly maintained, even buildings with significant cultural values and historical and cultural heritage is just left there to rot, even cleaning is not proper
it's just miserable, the way we treat our architecture and urban spaces in general, and the attitude of the people towards the buildings in Skopje is just scary, it varies from politically inspired opinions, to hatred inspired by personal taste and ignorance of facts, spiced up by lack of "education" about them...

personally, I disagree with changing the looks of a building no matter in what style and time it was originally built, and if change is a must, it should be minimal like changing some materials, repainting, putting new windows etc.

the sad thing is, that most of the people who have opinions on architecture in Skopje, are not inspired by cultural value and contribution to culture and development, but from other thing, that are rarely connected to architecture and urbanism
Architects create dreams...politicians create nightmares
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  Quote zabegan Quote  Post ReplyReply #6 Posted: 23-Jan-2012 at 22:39
Originally posted by macedonia

I think Skopje has the potential to become a Modernist Heritage Hub of the world, but it has to start renovating and revitalizing its structures. Otherwise they will continue to decay and damage Skopje's image, and will one day fall victim to either demolition or a "classical makeover".
it doesn't have to become a modernist cub, although a big part of Skopje's development, modernist architecture is just a fraction of the culture and history Skopje has
all we need to do is respect the modernist architecture, as we respect older history of the city, like any normal people in the world
Architects create dreams...politicians create nightmares
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  Quote french36 Quote  Post ReplyReply #7 Posted: 23-Jul-2015 at 10:45
These building (students dormitories in Skopje) are really interesting, i m surprised when i read that they are ugly.

Facades aren't so bad and think they aren't serious pathologies in and outside (haven't been inside so can't be sure). With a facade treatment (primer and coating)could be interesting if you want to respect style, but if you want to go further an External Thermic Insulation would be perfect (insulation and keeping building style).
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