MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
Emma Chudoba—ARCC King Medal
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Emma Chudoba—ARCC King Medal
About the Award
ARCC King Medal:
Acknowledging innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.
Memory of The Future: Heritage of The Recent Past and Its Conservation
This thesis explores the conservation of heritage of the recent past, which, despite lacking the traditional age-value typically associated with historical significance, possesses both tangible and intangible qualities that require alternative evaluation and preservation methods. Buildings from 1950 to 1970, especially those of the modern movement, often do not conform to conventional conservation principles, leading to their undervaluation and potential neglect. These structures, more susceptible to the effects of time than their predecessors, face significant conservation challenges. To address this, the thesis proposes a novel methodology for assessing the significance of mid-twentieth-century architecture, emphasizing a comprehensive evaluation of all forms of value. This approach aims to ensure that the rich built environment of the recent past is preserved and appreciated, thereby supporting future generations in recognizing the importance of this period in heritage preservation.
Understanding the nature of what makes modernism unique from previous historic periods allows these buildings to express value that goes beyond the desired age patina and wear, one that focuses more on its expression of daily life in a period that is becoming increasingly different to the world we live in now.
The methodology outlined in this thesis operates on three levels: broad conceptual exploration, localized assessment, and practical application across various typologies.Preserving twentieth-century architecture requires a flexible approach that moves beyond the rigid frameworks of traditional heritage conservation. Unlike historic buildings, which are typically preserved as intact entities, modernist structures often consist of distinct elements that can be selectively interpreted, extracted, and adapted while still maintaining their identity. Many of these buildings can be reduced to defining architectural features—effectively serving as a kind of “logo” that encapsulates their essence. By identifying and studying these fragments, new adaptive reuse strategies emerge, balancing preservation with contemporary needs.Case studies explore reinterpretation through the four key strategies: architectural adaptation, artifact preservation, landscape integration, and sculptural intervention.
Winning the ARCC King Medal is a deeply meaningful recognition that celebrates both this journey and my ongoing commitment to architecture as my passion and evolving craft. I am profoundly grateful for all who have supported my work and my commitment to preserving the stories embedded in our built heritage. Thank you for this recognition and for inspiring me to continue safeguarding places that connect memory, culture, and community.
ARCC King Medal:
Acknowledging innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.
Memory of The Future: Heritage of The Recent Past and Its Conservation
This thesis explores the conservation of heritage of the recent past, which, despite lacking the traditional age-value typically associated with historical significance, possesses both tangible and intangible qualities that require alternative evaluation and preservation methods. Buildings from 1950 to 1970, especially those of the modern movement, often do not conform to conventional conservation principles, leading to their undervaluation and potential neglect. These structures, more susceptible to the effects of time than their predecessors, face significant conservation challenges. To address this, the thesis proposes a novel methodology for assessing the significance of mid-twentieth-century architecture, emphasizing a comprehensive evaluation of all forms of value. This approach aims to ensure that the rich built environment of the recent past is preserved and appreciated, thereby supporting future generations in recognizing the importance of this period in heritage preservation.
Understanding the nature of what makes modernism unique from previous historic periods allows these buildings to express value that goes beyond the desired age patina and wear, one that focuses more on its expression of daily life in a period that is becoming increasingly different to the world we live in now.
The methodology outlined in this thesis operates on three levels: broad conceptual exploration, localized assessment, and practical application across various typologies.Preserving twentieth-century architecture requires a flexible approach that moves beyond the rigid frameworks of traditional heritage conservation. Unlike historic buildings, which are typically preserved as intact entities, modernist structures often consist of distinct elements that can be selectively interpreted, extracted, and adapted while still maintaining their identity. Many of these buildings can be reduced to defining architectural features—effectively serving as a kind of “logo” that encapsulates their essence. By identifying and studying these fragments, new adaptive reuse strategies emerge, balancing preservation with contemporary needs.Case studies explore reinterpretation through the four key strategies: architectural adaptation, artifact preservation, landscape integration, and sculptural intervention.
Winning the ARCC King Medal is a deeply meaningful recognition that celebrates both this journey and my ongoing commitment to architecture as my passion and evolving craft. I am profoundly grateful for all who have supported my work and my commitment to preserving the stories embedded in our built heritage. Thank you for this recognition and for inspiring me to continue safeguarding places that connect memory, culture, and community.
