Cherish & Destroy - Camiel Berns

In the work of artists and architects, the confrontation between cherishing and destroying is an integral part of the creative design process. Artistic traditions lose their meaning and are dismantled; buildings are demolished and give way to new forms. Opposed to this is the desire to preserve values that we want to cherish and maintain. Some things you do not want to lose because you associate them with quality and with values that give meaning and significance to the here and now. Things you regard as treasures to be cherished. Three architects and three artists have been asked to tell a story about the dilemmas they encounter in their work, in which they must choose between destruction and preservation. In what way do they choose between one and the other? Also important is the question of whether, in their work, they employ a frame of reference that guides the choices they make during their design process. Camiel Berns Since his studies at the Delft University of Technology, Camiel Berns has maintained a profound dedication to the restoration, renovation, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. In 2012, he founded BERNS architectuur to focus exclusively on the complex transformation of monuments, industrial heritage sites, ecclesiastical buildings, and residential heritage.Vision For BERNS architectuur, designing within a heritage context transcends the mere preservation of physical material; it is an engagement with the inherent narrative of the built environment. The practice posits that restoration is a fundamental act of design. Rather than 'freezing' a building in a static state – which rarely addresses contemporary requirements – Berns asserts that the continued utility of a structure is the primary guarantee of its preservation. By synthesizing a building’s unique historical qualities with modern functional aspirations, the firm balances cultural-historical values with sustainable, future-oriented design. This approach ensures that distinctive architecture remains a vibrant, integrated part of the urban fabric for generations to come. Methodology Every project is rooted in rigorous academic and site-specific research. This involves a comprehensive analysis of the building’s typology, its original architect, and its broader environmental context to identify core values and spatial limitations. For complex interventions, the firm employs transformation frameworks to bridge the gap between historical assessment and architectural execution. Based on a cultural-historical evaluation, these frameworks identify specific parameters where interventions can facilitate new uses while simultaneously reinforcing the heritage. This methodology provides a structured evaluation framework for stakeholders, ensuring that innovative solutions are both inspired by the past and precisely calibrated for the complexities of the present.