GSMT - Old Buildings – New Ideas...with Author & Architect, Françoise Astorg Bollack

Architect and architectural historian Françoise Bollack presents a talk based on her new book "Old Buildings New Idea: An Alternative History of Additions, Adaptations, Reuse and Design Inventions." She will provide an overview of 1,500 years of architectural history. Some architectural transformations are modest, some are revolutionary. Ms. Bollack shines a light on the hidden side of the accepted narrative of the history of architecture, exploring work which transforms existing buildings to build a way forward, through adaptations, additions and visual shifts. Studying thirty buildings across Europe, North America and South America, spanning from the early Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century, the lecture will examine the creative possibilities of working with existing buildings. Through arresting images, the talk will illustrate how formal inventions can shape architecture and our environment over time in a built world, constantly in a state of becoming. As the environment is increasingly impacted by climate, Ms. Bollack taps into our deep cultural knowledge about the inventive use and re-use of buildings. Françoise Bollack explores the formal inventions born of these adaptation and additions – as a survival strategy and as a strategy of artistic development. Her talk provides an alternative to the dominant view which sees conservation and preservation of historic buildings as a 20th century creation. Françoise Astorg Bollack is an architect, architectural historian and an educator. She is a practicing architect and the founder of Françoise Bollack Architects, whose practice focuses on the design opportunities of working with existing buildings. Ms. Bollack is also an adjunct Associate Professor of Historic Preservation in the Historic Preservation program of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors of the Historic Districts Council and the Board of the City Club of New York and the Chair of its preservation committee. "Old Buildings, New Ideas: A Selective Architectural History of Additions, Adaptations, Reuse and Design Invention" by Françoise Astorg Bollack is available for purchase online by visiting: https://www.routledge.com/Old-Buildin...