Proposal for a Rethink

➕ proposal for a re-think - dealing with existing building stock in a world fixated on natalism:

✖️thanatology deals with the process of death, decay, loss, and grief - applied to architectural ruins this can translate into a new approach to transformation design without forcing rebirth but through engagement with a new state of the building‘s existence.

✖️while curated decay has been a topic for decades (nay, centuries), when thinking holistically about reanimation and reuse, we would be well advised to adapt some lessons from thanatologists:

➖exploration of the individual process: the dying of the building and what stages this encompasses.
➖forensic knowledge: what physical and constructive changes are taking place?
➖psychological and social aspects: history and heritage and how these influence intervention strategies.
➖ ethical implications: what degree of intervention is appropriate, who will benefit from it?

➕ architectural thanatology is intrinsically interdisciplinary and conducive to developing a new design methodology beyond museumification (doing too little out of reverence) or invasive addition (doing too much and forgetting about the existing building‘s character and history) and ultimately preventing destruction through demolition.