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Abstract
This article examines conflict associated with efforts to conserve modern architecture. The tension between preservation and functional concerns and the cleavage between form and function are brought to the fore by looking at a prominent case study of the concert hall of Tel Aviv, Israel. Between 2005 and 2013, the historic concert hall was the subject of a substantial renovation plan, which became contentious owing to its impact on the interior and exterior features of the building. With the help of interviews, content analysis of proceedings, planning decisions and court rulings, the paper examines the obstacles for attaining a balance between form and function, and particularly: (1) the role of cultural elites in shaping historic places and in determining the ‘functional threshold’ of modern buildings; (2) how emotional attachments to cultural properties impact the course of built heritage conflicts; and (3) the failure of public participation. Overall, the analysis suggests that participatory avenues can be pursued in order to bridge the gap between opponents and proponents of structural modifications. When collaboration fails, however, the opinion of the professionals using the modern building should be given greater consideration, and legal redress should be a last resort.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. UNESCO’s experts carefully assessed the historical and cultural importance of Tel Aviv’s built environment, as a unique place where an ensemble of Modern buildings were built in the twentieth century (Figure ). See, UNESCO (Citation2007) ‘White City of Tel Aviv’.
2. The conservation area which is part of the ‘White City of Tel Aviv’ includes hundreds of buildings. See, UNESCO (Citation2007), ‘White City of Tel Aviv’.
3. See, Section No. 5 of the UNESCO Citation1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Paris.
4. See, Plan 2650b: Preservation Plan for Tel Aviv. The Plan took several years to enact following a complex process of public inquiry.
5. Alterations were made to the RFH and the SOH, while renovations of the Avery Fisher Hall got stalled because of financial difficulties. See: Prudon, The Preservation of Modern Architecture.
6. The RFH is deemed ‘undeniably one of the most successful buildings’ in post-war architecture (Forty Citation1995, 29). Like the RFH, SOH and Avery Fisher Hall are considered as important heritage sites.
7. Interview No. 3, 2013. The former City Planner of Tel Aviv noted that a ‘shoebox’ shaped concert hall, like the one in Vienna (The Wiener Musikverein) features an elevated ceiling and can therefore improve the reverberation time of sound travelling inside the building.
8. This issue was stressed by the former Secretary General of UNESCO-Israel (Interview No. 7). The attempt to reach a broad agreement is also evident by looking at the discussions that preceded the final court order on the matter: see, Transcript No. 2, ‘Meeting of the Israeli Committee for the preservation of world heritage’.
9. Appeals tribunal, ‘Appeal Decision No. 5361/09’.
10. Interview No. 9, ‘Interview with the General Manager of the IPO’.
11. Interview No. 1 and Interview No. 2.
12. The architect who was commissioned by the IPO to prepare the renovation plans for the Auditorium mentioned the functional importance of the venue, as opposed to a purely architectural approach which highlights the design and history, rather than the pragmatic needs of everyday life (Interview No. 5).
13. A local conservation architect who specialises in the preservation of Modern architecture notes that the Friends had to cover the fees and costs of the court submissions (Interview No. 13).
14. This argument was made by a former member of the Appeals Tribunal (Interview No. 4).
15. Interview No. 13.
16. A local conservation architect who was involved in the objections to the preservation plans argued that the Friends were partially successful because they were not able to sensitise sufficient public support for their cause (Interview No. 13).
17. The architect who compiled the renovation plans on behalf of the IPO mentioned how his reputation was tarnished by several architects who worked with the Friends (Interview No. 5).
18. This argument was made by a prominent local conservation architect and a member of the Friends (Interview No. 13).
19. Paimio Sanatorium, designed by Alvar Alto and built in the 1930s, is considered a Modern architecture marvel. Its windows allow patients a wide-angle view of the outside, and its rooftop terrace encouraged patients to stay outdoors and enjoy fresh air; see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2917967/. When the historic building was earmarked for preservation, and later when it underwent renovations, expert architects conducted a lengthy process of discussions with the owner of the building, national as well as local stakeholders, all of whom contributed towards the retention of the Hospital’s patient friendly features (Citation2005, 60–64).
20. Hajer describes how referenda are used to determine the fate of historic sites around the globe, as in the case of Tempelhof airport in Berlin. However, he also notes the risks of such a process in terms of its potential to provide sustainable solutions.
21. This point was raised in the Transcripts of the Meeting of the Planning Appeals Tribunal, December 14, 2009 (Transcript No. 8).