How Choice of Material is Balanced Between Notions of Authenticity and Technical Know-how

Abstract. This paper explores the means by which authenticity of a building is connected to the physical materials of which it is built. One may argue, in the case of the modernist building, it is the idea of the building as a monument in time which is worth preserving. If this is the case, it raises the question of whether one, as a restoration architect, need be true to the original materials and construction, or is it possible to substitute materials and construction methods which lack durability over time. In the age of mechanical reproduction, is it arguable that a building designed for the industrialised age holds its authenticity in its idea and not it its physical properties. The authenticity which was previously connected to the original craftsmanship, is in this time rather seen to be vested in the notion and the ideas of the building. The Modern Movement is a product of a specific time in history when new building materials and techniques became available and one may argue that the idea which carries the Modernist building is an experiment in new materials and construction techniques.
Is it possible to use different materials and construction techniques other than those chosen for the building originally, without losing the architectural integrity and authenticity of the building, during restoration and transformation.
The paper explores how alterations can be made without diluting the inherent values during restoration by using contemporary construction techniques. This does not mean new construction techniques are never suitable, far from it, it simply means one must always be mindful of the specific values identified for the site in question.
The paper discusses the “simplicity” of Modern Movement architecture in both technical terms and of the clearly defined architectural vocabulary and holds technical solutions against notions of originality and authenticity.