Introduction

Controversial Heritage

Word Count - 3274

How do we conserve controversial architecture to surpass historical stigma and highlight the architectural value?

Abstract

Conservation of Controversial monuments and heritage has once again become relevant after BLM protests in the UK have questioned the place of Colston’s statue in the city. This argument is brought to the culturally vibrant country of Italy, where the large amount of Fascist architecture still standing today is used to analyse the theory of conservation in regards to the initial Venice Charter written in 1964 and more recent studies into the practise of conservation. Ultimately, conservation can be manifested through both the tangible and intangible elements of a heritage, and the most successful practises analyse the monuments on a case by case basis to establish the most important values of a monument that should be conserved, and at what cost. The case studies of the Casa del Fascio in Como and Il Palazzo della Civiltà’ Italiana in Rome show how the theory comes into practise with a strong focus on removing a heritage controversial stigma through the re-purposing of the structure and careful consideration of how to put the architectural elements in the forefront.