Download Ferenc Salamin, The protection of our architectural heritage

Ferenc Salamin: The protection of our architectural heritage
My name is Ferenc Salamin, I am an architect and have designed a lot of wineries and many
other buildings in the past 25 years. In this paper I would like to give you an overview of and an
insight into the situation of the architectural heritage in protected landscapes based on
examples form the last 20-25 years from the Tokaj Wine Region.
Wine-making is determined by knowledge and traditions accumulated over thousands of years
as well as the characteristics of the landscape: soil, sunshine, in Tokaj the degree of humidity
which is important for the evolution of Botrytis. Vinicultural knowledge is part of universal
human culture but is very much linked to a given location: a given wine can only be produced in
a given area, where it receives the environmental and human ingredients that are necessary for
its uniqueness and regional features. People look for a particular wine as they are interested in
that variety of that given region.
This should be the same in architecture as well. With a lot of energy and efforts we have to
discover the man-made architectural heritage and features that are integrated into the
landscape and the vineyards. We have to take stock of our built heritage: man-made supporting
walls and other stone structures, the features of the spirit of the place. Typical and to be
protected is also the location of a given village in the landscape, among woods and vineyards.
We also have to collect all the values that have been created by our ancestors over the
centuries: mansions, country houses, cottages, barns, fences, gates, as well as minor
architectural details such as arcades, porches, chimneys, windows, wells and many-many more.
In the countries of Europe architectural heritage is based on similar foundations: similar cultural
and architectural assets have been created over the centuries, yet concerning the state and
protection of these values there are huge differences across Europe. In most parts of Europe
the protection of old values is natural, as well as the fact that new buildings are built in such a
way that they are integrated into the old ones. It is also a well-known fact that a uniform,
harmonious image of landscape and village is a very useful marketing tool. Wine can be best
marketed in an neat, uniform landscape.
The situation of built heritage is different in every country so let us look at some pictures of
decay as well. In Yalta Central Europe was in the hands of the Soviets, and this has left lasting
traces, thus more attention has to be paid to these areas and more intellectual and material
efforts need to be made. The consequences of the post-war Communist Party order according
to which “traces of the previous economy have to be wiped out by physical means as well” can
still be felt today. The decades of destruction seem to be over yet we still feel the physical and
spiritual effects. There are a lot of derelict old buildings, a lot of open wounds in the towns and
villages, there are a lot of valuable buildings that can perhaps still be saved. In order to tidy up
our environment, however, we need to tidy up in our heads first, as intellectual decay can be
sensed as well. Even multinational utility companies continue to destroy our built heritage.
Let us now have a look at the renovation and restoration of some of the old buildings in the
Tokaj Wine Region (the black-and-white photos show the situation prior to renovation). What is
the most important aspect of renovation? To sense the spirit of the place, the soul of the
building. We have to talk of a healing process: the building, like a living being has been hurt, it
has become wounded physically and mentally. The building can best be restored to its original
state of several hundreds of years ago with the help of scientific research, but often with
intuition and empathy, by talking to the building. By peeling off the layers, by pulling down the
annexes and the transformed parts, by unraveling the secrets of the history of the building you
can help restore the body and soul of the building.
In wine-making it is natural to keep traditions and to use up-to-date technology, new methods
and facilities. Old and new methods are combined to achieve the best and most unique result:
the best wine. This approach is also appropriate in architecture: building on traditional values,
applying old and new ideas, methods and materials in either restoring old buildings or planning
new ones.
What example should we follow then in the case of buildings? The “modern”, “up-to-date”,
fashionable trends? Does internationalist, globalist architecture not work against our regions,
and wine-growing regions? Are the marketing messages advocating design elements that can
be easily replaced not superficial? How long will buildings that do not respect the architectural
characteristics of the wine regions be interesting, when will they become boring and obsolete?
Is contrast and tension between old and new better than harmony? Will winegrowers now
produce “modern” energy drinks instead of traditional and “boring” wines?
Let us now have a look at some new buildings that try to create new values based on traditions.
I do believe that the future lies in architecture that is based on regional traditions, which
stresses continuity and the renewal of traditions, in harmony with the regional characteristics
of wine. Different periods are built one upon the other, knowledge is passed on from
generation to generation, but is always renewed, enriched, but never discarded. I do not
believe in juxtaposition, in isolation, only in the interdependence of intellectual achievements.
We apply and use: cellars, stone walls, mansions …..
Let us not forget: architecture is a part of culture, the creation of the human intellect. With
rules and regulations only you cannot create architecture that is beautiful, harmonious, that is
well integrated into the protected region and makes people happy and also conveys new ideas
and thoughts. In addition to regulations and in fact instead of over-regulation many decisions
should be based on human knowledge. According to winemakers in Tokaj, the quality of wine
depends primarily on the grapes, second comes the winemaker and good rules only take the
third place. The environment, the traditions are at the disposal of architecture as well, and a
lot depends on the right architect and the choice of the appropriate approach and trend....
Imre Makovecz, the world-famous Hungarian architect once said: the task of architecture is to
link the sky with the earth.
You need to fill the material with spirit, and in addition to rules that protect our heritage and
funding you need to choose the right architect, too.