Everything is Architecture, and We Are All Architects #3 – What Is Built Is What Will Be Built

At the beginning of the millennium, there was a significant shift in architectural and planning approaches. A growing perception emerged that the erasure and destruction of existing structures were actions to be condemned. Rather than demolishing, the built environment began to be viewed as valuable raw material. This marked a turning point in responding to the climate crisis in one of the most polluting industries, emphasizing the importance of nurturing what already exists and preserving identities and local communities.

In this meeting, we will discuss the declaration of intent by the 2021 Pritzker Prize winners, Lacaton and Vassal: “Never demolish, never remove – always add, transform, and reuse.” We will explore the idea that preservation in architecture is not merely about conserving artifacts as if they were frozen in time; instead, it offers us an opportunity to use our architectural past to help shape a better future.
We will reflect on buildings that have been demolished and no longer exist, leaving an absence still felt today. Furthermore, we will review notable projects revitalizing existing structures and dive into contemporary preservation methods, such as ReUse and Adaptive Reuse. We will also learn about “urban mining,” which refers to incorporating materials from one site into another building, and examine shifts in local preservation efforts.
Host: Arch. Hila Shemer. Architecture Critic & Lecturer, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem
Liebling House content development: Moran Navon
This meeting is part of the lecture series “Everything is Architecture, and We Are All Architects,” which will be held at Liebling House’s Café Lev. During this series, we will examine contemporary architecture in our regions and worldwide through the lenses of politics, gender, economics, globalization, crisis, war, and peace. We will explore the ability of the architectural discipline to drive change – from urban environments and public buildings to the most intimate space – our private homes. Utilizing tools from both within and outside the field of architecture, we will envision a possible future.