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Authentic elements
The Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Research Laboratory building on Radvilėnai Street is surrounded by scaffolding. This building is one of the most striking examples of Kaunas interwar modernism, as most of the most authentic elements have survived to this day. However, the work that began caught the attention of the public.
Sigita Bugenienė, an architect working in the field of cultural heritage, said she was surprised to see that real railings had been cut in the spotlights when maintenance work began on the facade. According to the expert, it is the authentic details that make the building unique and exclusive, so we must try to preserve them as much as possible.
“Railings are a valuable feature of a building and they are protected. The building must be understood as a whole. It consists of many authentic elements, each of which is very important. And if we replace them with copies or typical modern details, we lose the value and uniqueness of the building, when they are irreversibly damaged and cannot be saved in any other way, “S. Bugenien dijo told Kauno Diena.
A unique mosaic of modern materials can remain from a unique building. (Readers photo)
According to her, the ongoing maintenance project ordered that the corroded parts be removed, but not all the railings were cut.
“I think in this situation there was a real rush to cut all the railings without delving into the project and familiarizing myself with the valuable elements of the building. Cutting the railings shows that your metal is healthy, so cleaning and repainting the top coat would have been sufficient. “The other part was welded in the Soviet era. It was necessary to leave the authentic elements of the protected period and remove the pieces assembled later, which differed in quality and were more damaged by corrosion,” shared the architect.
The specialist assured that she was also surprised that the building was being managed without informing the team working on the project, although coordination had been agreed. However, the building manager began work without prior notice.
“I know of that management project in the past. It has been around for a long time and there are places to reconsider whether the chosen management method is really in line with the latest heritage concepts. I am very surprised that the work is already underway. There is no discussion on how to do it correctly. “, – S.Bugenienė was surprised.
According to the architects, the railings were not damaged from the inside, so it was not necessary to cut them. (Readers photo)
Qualified in the world
The aforementioned KTU building has gained worldwide recognition. Last year, this jewel of interwar modernism on Radvilėnai Street received international acclaim.
The United States-based Getty Foundation, named after philanthropist John Paul Getty, selected the building as one of the world’s most outstanding architectural objects and provided solid funding to preserve the building. The building of the Faculty of Chemical Technology was named as one of the most interesting and best preserved of the 20th century. architectural masterpieces and lined up near the world’s most famous modernist architectural buildings in Italy, Spain, France, and the United States.
However, seeing such a course of work, architect S.Bugenienė doubts that these actions correspond to the values cherished by the foundation and the desire to help preserve valuable buildings for future generations. A specialist in the field of cultural heritage is convinced that building managers lack a common understanding of how to preserve what is valuable.
“One is to put a badge of recognition, the other is how to continue treating the building. After all, we will have to present this whole process and experience to the international community of experts. We will not be able to share good practices. It is not difficult to remove an authentic element , but keep in mind that it cannot be compensated in any way, so a singular building can be left with a typical mosaic of modern materials. The exterior may look similar, but the value is completely different, “said the architect . helped the Getty Foundation learn about Kaunas’ pearl of modernism.
The cut railings are a valuable feature of the cultural heritage object – the research laboratory.
He noted that with the funds allocated by the fund, discussions are taking place not only on how to preserve Radvilėnų pl. 19 valuable elements of the building, but how it could be even better suited to the professionals who work there, while preserving the original purpose of the laboratory, as international experts were also impressed by the fact that the building has retained its true function.
“There are very few buildings in Lithuania that have preserved so much authentic interior details, equipment and furniture. This building has also retained its function, which is very rare.” Laboratory tests are still being carried out on the KTU building. Our main objective, with the support of the foundation, is to find a way to preserve the authenticity of the building and adapt it to the needs of modern laboratories, “said S. Bugenienė.
Radvilėnų pl. Building 19 aims to further adapt to the needs of society. (Photo by Justina Lasauskaitė)
Record violations
Specialists from the Department of Cultural Heritage (CRD) had already inspected the administered Radvilėnų pl. 19 building and found violations. Heritage guards told the newspaper that the cut railings were really valuable.
Specialists from the Kaunas branch of the CRD explained that they had coordinated the maintenance work project, which envisaged the restoration of the light pits of the Research Laboratory with metal tube railings. The department has also issued a permit for these maintenance jobs. However, the project was to manage them, not cut them.
“The cut railings are a valuable feature of the cultural heritage object – the Armament Board Research Laboratory Laboratory agreed upon in the Kaunas branch of the CRD. According to the contractor, the authentic railings were temporarily cut so that they could be restored in the workshop, ”commented the head of the Kaunas branch of the CRD, specialist Andrius Liakas.
He indicated that the dismantling of the railings is currently suspended. According to the custodian of the estate, the contractor will need to restore and return the cut railings. For this, the maintenance project must be complemented by a method of fixing the cut railings to ensure that damage to this authentic element of the building is kept to a minimum.
“The authentic parts of the railing can only be restored, that is, as much authentic material as possible is preserved and the parts damaged by corrosion are accurately restored. Subsequent additions to the railing (Soviet welded pipes from above) will be the main form of interwar railings “, – how A.Liakas will have to place the railings.
KTU position
Representatives of KTU stated that the management works are intended to protect the good of the cultural heritage and adapt it to the needs of society. Radvilėnų pl. The management works for 19 facilities are carried out with European funds.
“With this project, our aim is to open to the public one of the most outstanding modernist buildings: we plan excursions here, we will endeavor to make the building on Kaunas maps the European Capital of Culture. The renovation and adaptation to the needs public is financed by the EU and the university. Of this, more than 1.18 million euros is financed by the regional development of the EU and the rest by the university. The Getty Foundation is not used in this project “, commented KTU on financing the current building management work. representative of the media Mantas Lapinskas.
A unique mosaic of modern materials can remain from a unique building.
He pointed out that the second phase of the project is currently underway, during which the basement, the building’s façade will be maintained and the roof chimneys will be rehabilitated, but the roof work will not be covered.
“Regarding the handrails, the contractor KTU carried out all the work in accordance with the project approved by the CRD. Here it is clearly stated that handrails affected by corrosion must be disassembled, restored and returned to their previous place. not only to damage corrosion but also to deform it “, explained M. Lapinskas.
Photo by Justina Lasauskaitė
A KTU spokesperson said the contractors and heirs explained that they could not restore the handrails without removing them. CRD representatives also pointed out that to avoid ambiguities in the project, it is necessary to detail certain solutions by preparing working drawings. We continue to communicate and cooperate with the CRD representatives, and we will follow up and implement any additional issues or issues. We are currently waiting for their solution to this situation, “said M. Lapinskas.
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