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“It is very important to have a clear position of the state that in certain territories, certain objects, due to certain stylistic and social aspects, we protect and that is a value,” says the architect. Vaidas Petrulis, associate professor at KTU, evaluating the widely heard story of a house demolition in Žaliakalnis, Perkūno Alley.
– Still worried about the passion for the demolished house on Perkūnas avenue, how do you assess this situation?
– Passions are likely to worry for a long time, because the situation is ambiguous and, at the same time, there are many layers behind. The main problem, in my opinion, is how we as a state perceive the values of cultural heritage and how we can preserve them later. In this case, there are problems in both places. If we talk about the usual monuments, the Pažaislis monastery, the cathedral, perhaps no one thinks, everything is clear, it must be preserved.
The Žaliakalnis area is fantastic, as we say: it is an example of an urban garden, a concept of the 20th century.
Meanwhile, about residential architecture, which is not yet 100 years old, the truth, perhaps soon, apparently the building was built in 1928, is the saying that the first 100 years of the building’s life are the most dangerous. Most likely it can be demolished, rebuilt, or remodeled. Residential buildings are still sometimes questioned in society, whether they are heritage or not. It is very important to have a clear position of the state that in certain territories, certain objects, due to certain stylistic and social aspects – we protect and that is a value. In this case, those doubts are something. This case is a bit shocking because, despite being protected as part of the state as an urban area, one can suddenly try to sweep it off the face of the earth with an easy hand and hope nothing happens. In this case, the question arises: how do we protect if such precedents can occur?
– The case is highly controversial. With many sides, perhaps?
– Yes, because that doubt of value, as a specialist and I think that for the majority of educated society, it does not arise at all. Now a UNESCO nomination file is being prepared in Kaunas that Kaunas may be among UNESCO World Heritage sites. And of course, Kaunas is not the place that has an impressive monument, like the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. Our strength is diversity, the welcoming scale, modernism has a human dimension, a human face. Modernism generally occurs when huge complexes are built on an empty surface of the earth. And here it is not. It’s welcoming, humane, there’s diversity here. And the objects that have survived, like the Žaliakalnis area, are fantastic, as we often say; this is an example of a city garden, a 20th century concept. The authentic surviving buildings in this area are certainly not overcrowded. This is one of those that has retained its authenticity. Yes, in the eyes of a professional, there is no question, here is the value.
If we clean the floor with a light hand, Žaliakalnis will become an ordinary district.
The 1975 European Charter for Architectural Heritage establishes very clearly that values can and should be recognized not only by objects of exceptional aesthetic value, but also by those that give character to the environment. In itself, an object can be cozy and fun, but at first glance it won’t be obvious that it is a value, but it is an integral part of the character. Drop by drop and form a whole. Why do people want to live in Žaliakalnis? Because there is that peculiar character.
– But, you know, there are people who think that I want to live in Žaliakalnis, among the Medinukai, but I also want to live in a modern house.
– I would say that this is the main task of the State and the protection of heritage. If we look at modern heritage theory, there is a lot of talk about not having to prohibit development that is possible in an urban area. But this development should not end with the owner taking advantage, that is, the environment gives it aesthetic value, perhaps even moral, because it lives in a prestigious area. And it does not enhance this value in itself.
Photo by Vilmantas Raupelis
Not only aesthetic but also social issues are important in this place. Quality assurance social problem, continuity. If this type of district, not necessarily Žaliakalnis, becomes a quarter of new and luxurious villas, then we are not talking about a protected area. So, we are talking about a luxury neighborhood, but does it really need to exist in that same place?
– What would remain of Žaliakalnis if modern glass villas appeared here?
– Exactly. The most interesting thing is that it has retained an aura, but there are no longer many specific authentic items. Yes, there are, even some wooden buildings are very well cared for. Sure, there are positive examples, but it is necessary to preserve them more and show positive examples as good practice. If we clean the floor with a light hand, Žaliakalnis will become an ordinary district.
Some new buildings may be recognized as a legacy by future generations, but what we have from the interwar period we have both and nothing else. There will never be more, there can only be less.
– As for the house in Perkūno Alley, where, as you say, there is no doubt that it is a heritage site, I have read a series of comments on Facebook in which people said: there was already a poor neighborhood that was collapsing built of tables , your old asbestos slate burned, orally – a small leak that will bring it down.
– We are talking about monuments that were created to be monuments – let’s say, the Central Post Office is a building constituted on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of Vytautas, because in addition to its practical function, it was conceived from the beginning as a kind of monument . In this case, education and listening to professional opinions is very important. There is a wide range of experiences from different countries, professionals share good practices and understand how heritage protection is changing.
Architecture is not just a physical form, it is also a meaning, a subjective cultural layer. It’s not just about physics, chemistry, and math. Therefore, we treat architecture not only as construction, but also as a kind of art. Sometimes it is said that heritage is like a natural resource, we have something and we can no longer renew it. Some new buildings may be recognized as a legacy by future generations, but what we have from the interwar period we have both and nothing else. There will never be more, there can only be less. The more we reduce the volume, the poorer the city will get.
Dr. Vaidas Petrulis. Photo by Vilmantas Raupelis
– Some say that a person wants to live comfortably. But if you buy a house in Žaliakalnis, then you know what you are buying. And you, be cute, take care of it. It was not out of ignorance. Saulius Rimas, the head of the department of cultural heritage of the Kaunas city municipality, visited our studio, who said that the owner of the house had visited him five years ago and was clearly told that he could not demolish and build another house in site.
– This is a classic example of wanting to take what the environment gives: character, the status of a prestigious place, which, incidentally, is created by such buildings, and at the same time obtain the comfort that you could create by living in a newly developed suburb and of course there may be other solutions. We talk a lot about Žaliakalnis being an exceptional territory, which is important at the national level. The world is varied, other things are relevant to someone; please, there are other spaces where there is a beautiful nature, a good neighborhood. There are many options. And the resources we have will not be returned.
That case is painful because there is an obvious loss of authenticity. On the other hand, it shows that it is not only about private initiatives – it is good that the Žaliakalnis community has been so active in defending it – but also about a strategic state task thinking that if there was one precedent, there could be another. Those objects that preserve the character of the city should be unequivocally registered as protected and that man should not have any illusions to change this situation.
– In this case, the owner should not have had such illusions, but that limitless arrogance, when destroyed once, stop, destroy a second time. Finally, start demolishing for the weekend, hoping it won’t stop. Fortunately, said S. Rimas and employees of other institutions already go to the demolished house outside of working hours. Was there ever a precedent like a man demolishing a house when he was not allowed to?
– As far as I know, there was a similar case in Klaipeda. There brick houses collapsed, berods of the 18th century. That was also quite an arrogant case.
Photo by Justina Lasauskaitė
– Could the authorities have prevented it in some way? Of course, it is cheap to say: where were the police, where were the guards when they were needed? But physically, didn’t people have to be there in tents?
If it is possible to destroy and not have consequences, then we are in a strange situation and that justice is optional: one is possible, the other is not. It should not be like that.
– This question should probably be directed to the responsible authorities, I cannot comment much. But after the first stop, the losses were still not very terrible, because the demolition had naturally started from the roof, it probably needed to be rebuilt. Just because the building is being renovated does not mean that the entire building can be demolished.
– But can we now wait for the building to be rebuilt? After all, the court can order.
– I really hope so. If we look at heritage theory, a very important aspect is authenticity. If we are protecting from the past, we must preserve authenticity. However, in exceptional cases, Kaunas would not be the first; the practice of reconstruction is in exceptional cases. In this case, I think so, because it is a precedent for social justice. If it is possible to destroy and not have consequences, then we are in a strange situation and that justice is optional: one can, another cannot. It should not be like that.
– How do you foresee the future development of Žaliakalnis? I don’t know how long those medins will hold.
– There are good examples of building arrangement. There are also well-kept brick buildings. I am sure that those objects that have preserved their authenticity will be found in the register of cultural heritage as separate objects.
– Kaunas is unique in its wooden architecture. Across europe. Only Scandinavians with wooden houses can also boast. If I’m not mistaken, Žaliakalnis is exceptional, why did he build rooms?
– It is interesting that there is diversity in Žaliakalnis. Next to it there is a medinukas and a masonry, that variety gives it character. It is important that there are more people who find it interesting, attractive and who want to nurture it. There is a part of society that has that disposition. It is important that these objects fall into the hands of those for whom it is relevant and interesting. The state cannot put everything in order on its own.
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