The Potential and Usage of the Architectural Heritage of Mining Sites: Case Studies in the Locality of Rudňany, Slovakia

Abstract

The aim of conversion is to reveal the potential of non-functioning buildings for transformation—i.e., to design a new life for them. A large number of original and presently non-functioning industrial production buildings are connected to mining activity. The subject of this study and area of investigation are selected mining networks from the second half of the 20th century in the Rudňany settlement, which is located in the Spiš region. The aim of the research is to form a process algorithm for the reuse of areas and objects of mining activity and to highlight the cultural values, constructional substance, and preconditions for their further development. Part of the investigation comprises proposals for a new functional usage of the structures that will encompass the complex historical ground-points of the locality and include its historical roots and trends in the region’s social development and community. The quantitative and qualitative research is based on an analysis of the values of such structures based on traditional mining activity, accompanied by landscape research of the specific locality. The results are presented in the form of case studies oriented towards the identification and evaluation of the attributes of change for novel exploitation of the mining sites. The conclusion of the research is composed of an evaluation and interpretation feasibility study pointing out suitable solutions and preconditions for the sustainability of the converted mining structures as parts of open concepts for mining theme parks.

1. Introduction

Many countries of Central and Western Europe boast a long history of mining activities, but Slovakia ranks among the earliest in regard to traces of mining extraction [1]. Along with underground mines and the mine infrastructures, surface constructions are also of interest. Due to their built-in technologies, these have become interesting industrial monuments. They are often towering colossuses that have left behind negative environmental traces. Precisely for reasons of environmental protection and sustainability in construction, their dismantling is not always the most appropriate solution. The mining industry architecture, including the follow-up processing of the extracted material, is, for the most part, represented by objects suitable for changes in function due to their repeat usage potential. This is a universally recognized trend, despite it being exceedingly demanding in terms of the efforts required, including financial, from all the parties involved. To a large extent, these structures from the 18th and 19th centuries function as museums and components in open-air historic sites today. A greater challenge is represented by mining structures from the early 20th century, whose value and potential are often not apparent to the general public. The aim of this paper is to highlight the hidden value of the mining objects in the Rudňany settlement area and to reveal the potential of such technological buildings and the magnificent spaces in which a large number of employees worked up to several decades ago.

A specific feature of mining, in comparison with other branches of the industry, is its social background. The history of mining areas confirms that miners formed a strong community network. The community was strengthened by the hard and dangerous work and the need for mutual support, both above and below ground. The miners supported each other at work, while the miners’ families helped each other outside the shafts. This strong social aspect left its mark on the lives of future generations. From the mid-20th century, the quality of life of the miners changed for the better from the standpoint of social security. Mining left a significant mark on history, influencing conversion. Research conducted by a number of scholars picks up on this fact, presenting not only a historical but also a social aspect to the specifics of mining families’ lives [2,3,4]. Architects’ views on the nature and direction of the transformation of various industrial buildings have gradually evolved over the past 20 years. Opinions have tended towards accenting the authenticity of the structures, ensuring that their legacy was not distorted or downplayed. The parameters for conversion are based on the main typological–spatial and expressive characteristics of the given object [5]. For a specific site, this could mean the usability, variability, openness, or dominant original expression of the given building [6,7,8]. This is a direction in architectural creation that is worthwhile taking.

For the preservation of heritage, not only is the enthusiasm of the public and scholars of importance, but also institutional preservation, the setting of rules, and methodological processes. From the standpoint of industrial heritage, one significant step was the creation of the Charter of the Industrial Heritage TICCIH (2003) [9]. This document draws attention to the values and priorities of preservation. This is significant because development and innovation in the industry (from the 18th to 20th centuries) form a phenomenon that has extensive historical, technological, social, architectural, cultural, and scientific value. The Charter emphasizes the goal of documenting and preserving the remnants of industrial heritage for generations to come. At present, the fundamental aim of the Charter has been enhanced by the phenomenon of sustainability. Sustainability should not solely relate to green buildings but also to an entire area, which means the preservation and maintenance of the environmental and cultural–social aspects of the rich environment formed over the centuries as a result of the coexistence of mankind and nature [10]. Mining is part of this complex, and the search for new potential for using mining structures opens up new avenues for their conversion. In abandoned and neglected areas, the architecture of conversion should emphatically serve the preservation of the spirit of the locus (genius loci). The end goal is the preservation of continuity in terms of both time and space [11].

Sustainable approaches are indispensable concepts in the area of architectural design and construction, and also have their place during the conversion of mining facilities. Research therefore has dealt with the issue of waste from a non-traditional perspective. Mining waste as an inevitable fact in the extraction of raw materials is not so much the focus of investigation; of greater interest is the waste created by non-functioning and degraded mining structures. This type of waste requires especially effective handling towards the goal of preventing degradation of the environment. The examination of non-functioning structures as sources of usable waste is key to the identification and refinement of the valorization framework which forms a starting point for the recovery of mining detritus [12,13]. The presented research seeks out ways by which waste, in the form of non-functioning mining structures, can present potential opportunities for the re-exploitation of areas and structures, a development which can also be found in the research presented in publications [14,15]. “Adaptive reuse generates new social dynamics in the city and gives the possibility to engage citizens in the decision-making processes, it saves construction materials and urban spaces, contributing to make cities more sustainable” [16]. This is true in general and applies equally well to rural locations. In the case of the conversion of mining localities, which today serve as part of educational trips of various purposes (educational, mountain, historical, geo-eco trails) [17], there is also a significant social impact—the impact on the lives of the residents resulting from the new use of original buildings.

The approach to the repeated usage of sites and structures of mining activity and the search for alternative new functions [18,19,20] for the original mine manufacturing operations was carried out on the basis of a transformation algorithm. In the Charter document [9], it is stated that defining the criteria for the valuation of the industrial structures is necessary. The algorithm works with factors, criteria, attributes, and potentials, and then presents the results of the research as the outcome of a logical progression. The research is based on questions focused on the singularity of the mining buildings and their context within their environment. Two basic research questions were established:

• What are the specifics and the usage potential of the mining objects?
• What is the potential for a conversion of the function and sustainability of the mining objects in the Rudňany locality?

The main goal of the research was to seek answers to the research questions and clarify the conclusions resulting from the case studies.

2. Materials and Methods

Mining has left deep impressions on many countries. These traces lead to the specifics of miners’ lives, construction technology innovations, and geological and landscape features. The research field is defined for an evaluation of the architecture of mining areas and buildings in the Rudňany settlement, in the Spiš region of eastern Slovakia.

Many structures in Slovakia related to the mining industry have been designated as monuments. The research relates to the preservation of monument sites, but the separate issue of monument protection is not the goal or purpose of this research. For this reason, well-known charters on the protection and renewal of monuments, such as the Athens Charter (1931), the Venice Charter (1964), the later Washington Charter (1987), and the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) [21,22,23,24], serve only as support documents. It should be emphasized that the conclusions and recommendations of these now traditional documents have served as starting points for the understanding of the preservation and transformation of subject sites. They have become a general code for the protection of bygone industries.

In the research, traditional analytic and synthetic methods for architectural research have been employed. Research steps and methods are presented in the diagram, as shown in Figure 1. The information collected during the literature and field research was subject to the sorting and extraction of appropriate data that could be later used in analyses and evaluations, and in the design and creative phases. Territorial research includes a complex investigation of a territory, its structures and constructions, as well as their potential. With new functional usages, our research relies on information gained directly from the subject municipality, mining cooperatives, and sports and recreation subjects in the Rudňany settlement and the Spiš region. A total of 84 participants participated in the interviews.

Contemporary trends focus on interdisciplinarity, which is also shown in the land research undertaken (the usage of a variety of research methods: interviews, statistic methods, SWOT analyses, and new visual documentation technologies) [25]. The accumulated theoretic information, along with site research information, creates a basis for the creation of an access algorithm for the approach to the transformation of mining areas and objects related to the mining activity.

The conclusion sections of the research present potential studies where the algorithm was applied. Case studies, as a part of the synthesis method, investigate proposed features in a context relevant for an assessment of the values of the structures. Mareš [26] characterizes the case study as a research approach in which various methods can be used, such that the approach may remain holistic. The goal is to try to capture the problem or case under investigation in the context of real life. Case studies make possible a depth of approach, including a large amount of data, which allows a supply of meaningful analyses of a case [27]. The interpretation of the results of case studies is dependent on the conclusions from analyses of the studied structures and the subject environment. The conclusion is a summarization of the possibilities for change in the selected objects, including a complex evaluation in a feasibility study that supports the goal of securing the viability of the objects. It includes the evaluation of various factors and their attributes, such as territorial-spatial, architectural, construction-technical, typological, and technological. The sequence program of the research links the pragmatic requirements of the work with the relevant architectural development and searches out the theoretically most suitable solution, moving the research along to a further phase [28].

In defining the potentials and presumptions for the re-usage of mining structures, other support materials and support information in the form of statistical data were used in order to fill out the mosaic of factographic research [29,30]. This study focused on the educational level of the district population, since education levels have an influence on the demand for types of work offers. Conversion would bring refurbished buildings back to life, and therefore also open up new working positions. In a region with almost 100,000 inhabitants, 20.66% have graduated from secondary school, and 17.95% have higher professional and university education. On the basis of these data, there is a presumed demand for new working positions. One positive fact for regional visit rates lies in the relatively high representation of school-age children in the district—15.33%. These data lead to the proposal of employment positions that are related to education, knowledge, culture, and physical activities.

In terms of content and methodology, the presented study is inclined towards the discovery of possibilities for using the existing constructional substance of the mining structures in the locality. The conversion of the area structures to allow them to become participants in mining field trips and eco-geo tourism of an above-regional character is essential for sustainability.

It is important to point out that in the presented research, the concepts of conversion, transformation, transition, and change are used almost interchangeably. Although their meaning is slightly different, they are found to be mutually interchangeable in thesauruses. The authors have deliberately alternated them in order to eliminate the repetitiveness of the vocabulary.

3. Background of the Research—The Locality, History, and Heritage

Rudňany is mostly known in eastern Slovakia for its long-lasting mining history, since from the original settlement of Milovec (historical mention is from 1255), there developed a mining centre in the Spiš region bearing the current name of Rudňany. The gradual discovery of mineral deposits (iron ore and copper, barite, mercury, siderite, and other minerals) created the preconditions for the development of the settlement itself. Rudňany first appeared in the cadastral history by its splitting from the neighbouring mining settlement Poráč (with the historical name of Medený Vrch) with which it shares a common ‘overground and underground’ route. They were united by a common transport tunnel, Rochus, with its opening in Rudňany. The development of mining in Rudňany copied the timeline of the society-wide developmental and economic periods of various rulers, economic interests, and power brokers. The development of mining in Rudňany is documented by historic maps from 1758 and 1854, as well as by maps from the 20th century [2]. A mining mosaic of the stated micro-region requires the inclusion of the Markušovce settlement, which played a special role in the history of mining. It was the governing centre of the mining territory and the core for the management of the mining territories and for the extraction and sale of the raw materials. The authors have presented a more focused and detailed history of mining in this region and in Slovakia in general in their article, Mining Educational Trail in Slovakia [31].

The greatest expansion of mining and the construction of mining objects in Rudňany was recorded after the Second World War, in particular from the 1950s to the 1980s. An indelible mark was left by the construction of new shaft facilities for the Šachta Mier and a set of structures at Nový Závod for the crushing and separation of extracted raw materials by the use of new technologies using water—flotation. The structures built in the years 1963–1970 have been preserved in relatively good technical condition, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. At the present time, they are unused, gradually crumbling, with their worth decreasing due to the passage of time and other influences. Here, it is necessary to point out that the structures are located in a vicinity with a complex social background with regard to certain segments of the population.

Revitalization in the form of conversion appears to be a promising route towards preserving the existing structures as well as regenerating the declining mining spirit. Selected structures have been the subject of a validation study, including the proposal of a new functional content that would reflect their overall potential and the needs of the settlement and the microregion, while at the same time reviving its mining past.

In the examined locality, industrial mining has historical documentation value, the structures have potential, and it is necessary to uncover and work on both of these areas so that their heritage is preserved for further generations, as shown in Figure 4.

Many of the thoughts and philosophical considerations of Lowenthal [32] (pp. 148–149) on the relationship of history and heritage were inspirational for the research. His thought, “History and heritage both refashion the past in present garb”, describes the modern transformation of architecture. Even as recently as the 1960s, the architecture of industry (including mining) aroused almost no interest. It was only the accumulation of decades that led the buildings to be listed, not only due to the passage of time, but also because of their documentary value, which was progressively reinforced in databases listing objects worthy of preservation. In industrial architecture, the principles of design are related to ethical, moral, social, and political values [33]. Preserving heritages in both tangible and intangible forms (for example, by documenting ways of life) from 70 to 100 years ago has a special charm. This is due to the fact that our past is intrinsically relevant since it occurred only two or three generations ago. Heritage is dependent on the need to preserve something for future generations, and it is not compulsory that what we preserve is confirmed by proven societal heritage value. The authors Lami et al. [4] emphasize that a conversion proposal redefines an integrated idea of the valorisation of the historical–architectural heritage and the socio-economic development for buildings that have a fundamental possibility for development and for rebalancing local realities.

For the support of research, it is necessary to seek out a union of heritage–the past–history. Heritage can be defined as the way in which the past provides a sense of belonging to the present [34]. Research confirms the relationship whereby conversion activities in the present show a union with the past. The authors Pranskūnienė and Zabulionienė [5] perceive the relation of past—history—heritage and the importance of the transformation of heritage, which allows for the transformation of values oriented to the discovery of future values. “History and heritage transmit different things to different audiences. History tells all who will listen what has happened and how things came to be as they are. Heritage passes on exclusive myths of origin and continuance, endowing a select group with prestige and common purpose” [32] (pp. 128–129). The mining heritage is created from the exclusive presentation of legends and what actually happened by means of suitably restored buildings forming parts of tourist routes. This provides opportunities for the implementation of non-traditional functions in suitably converted buildings forming stopping points on tourist trips, as well as the opportunity to present non-traditional functions in the buildings. Naramski et al. [18] maintain that an expected tourist experience encourages travelling. It is important to preserve the authenticity of a monument and its heritage values, thus contributing to long-term, stable development. The use of altered buildings from the mines as a component of soft tourism is a direction that makes sense. Soft tourism is experiential, contributes to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and stands in direct contrast to industrial mass hard tourism. Furthermore, it helps rural regions defend against extreme depopulation. Making a region attractive and creating working positions are priority challenges. The goal is to preserve a balance between landscape, recreation, relaxation, and economic benefits [35].

4. Results

The original structures determined for mining activities in the period of their founding and during their working (the 19th and 20th centuries) were not especially noteworthy for their architectural qualities. The priority was to provide an envelope for the technologies of the various mining activities. Their program did not even prepare for what inevitably must follow—their final day. This would be the moment when it would be necessary to terminate extraction and the consequent refining activity, either due to a lack of raw materials or unprofitability. This task fell to coming generations, decades, and even centuries in the future. After the exhaustion of the original elements of functioning, the consequent theme of valorizing the values of industrial work comes into play. It is necessary not only to identify these values, but also to pinpoint their contemporary interpretation. A systematic approach to the sustainability of industrial heritage, the preservation of cultural values, and sustainability is a tool in this domain [36]. For the retention of the integrity of renewal, it is ideal to determine the priorities of change and identify the most valuable elements that are imperative to retain or transform.

The research was oriented towards the regeneration of buildings and selected objects. united by the authors with valorization and raising the quality of the affected environment. Stratton [7] makes a distinction between the concepts of renewal and regeneration. Regeneration, as the broader concept, should combine the conservation and conversion of buildings with improvements to living conditions. The motivation for conversion and regeneration is the overall quality, originality, and exceptionality of the whole area, of its buildings, and of its parts. Even if the structures or their components are not listed as monument sites, this is not a reason why their preservation and transformation should not be undertaken. The direct (visual) factors of conversion are dominant:

• Territory and environment;
• Architecture–construction;
• Manufacture–technology.

Indirect factors include developmental (history) and social–societal factors that reveal the identity of a specific locality, manufacturing methods, and the lifestyles of miners, workers, and their families in a given environment. Sources of information include the recollections of living miners and their families, which are important for raising enthusiasm for the support of the change process. Bartošová and Haberlandová [3] write that concentrating on physical things loses the human social factor, which has the potential to motivate enthusiasm in a society for the preservation of monuments. They support this thought with the assertion that a complex familiarity with a situation, including its risk factors, is the best way to achieve protection. This assertion may be supported in that it presents a way to encourage the success of changes to the site, location, and locality. Conversion factors are also addressed by Zemánková [37], who includes, among the determining factors, the new usage of the objects—the cultural history of the structures and the area, the extended territorial and space relations, the architectural character of the buildings, their singularity, construction engineering possibilities, and the limitations of the conversion.

An examination of the factors may reveal the potentialities and indicate the possibilities of conversion. Potentials are gradually revealed in dependence on the number of conversion proposals verified in case studies. Potentials are defined by attributes, by their value and exceptionality. The more attributes found for the potentials, the greater the assumption for a successful conversion and the sustainability of a converted building. There exists a direct relation between the amount of preserved, presented attributes and the consequent increase in the potential of a refurbished object. The attribute–value–potential for a conversion is presented schematically in Figure 5. The fulfilment and functioning of the relationship give a model presumption that a building is suitable for conversion and transformation.

Attributes arise from factors of conversion, determine the process of transformation and the value framework, and support the reasons for a renovation. They are defined by the environment, the structure, the building, and the activity based on the typological focus of the building. The attributes have a tangible and intangible nature and, from the perspective of the issue being addressed, are as follows:

Attributes (of a material character)

• Environment and landscape (the context of the structure and the environs is evaluated);
• Architecture (judged by the state of upkeep—accenting of evaluated elements, units, objects);
• Construction technologies (evaluated are originality, singularity, and construction identity);
• Construction and structural (preserved on the basis of constructional logic; originality and quality of construction substance are evaluated).

Attributes (non-material character)

• Building history (considered is the documentation value of the preserved object from the standpoint of architectural development);
• Traditions of production and mining (considered is the documentation value of the preserved object from the standpoint of industrial and technical development);
• Social (considered is the social—societal dimension of the mining community life);
• Economic (considered is the stability of the preserved object on the basis of the assumption of its overall profitability).

The attributes became part of the algorithm, as shown in Figure 6, and were further evaluated in the case studies, as shown in

Table 1. The Šachta Mier/Mier Shaft.

Type of Attribute		Description of the Material Attributes (Physical Value F)	Value	Potential	Rate of Usage%
Technology	T1	Truss structure of the extraction tower—exterior, interior of the shaft	H, A, TP, SS	U	100
	T2	Elevator cage transit	TP, SS	U	100
	T3	Control elements of vertical delivery	TP, A	U	80
Structure	S1	Bearing construction of shaft and machine room spaces	H, SS	U	95
	S2	Bearing construction of shaft and machine room roofs	H, SS	U	90
	S3	Interior constructional elements—service platform, tracks	TP, A	U	90
	S4	Interior constructional elements—winding machine anchor	TP, A	U	85
Ar.	A1	Basic mass of shaft object with tower and machine room	H, A	U	100
	A2	Architectural tectonics morphology	H	U	70
Land.	L1	Existing greenery	M	U, R	40
	L2	Track of water flow and elements of surrounding landscape	A, L	U	95
	L3	Negative elements–devastated surroundings	N	R	0

Legend: H—Historical-architectural, A—Aesthetic, TP—Document of technological process, SS—Structural solution, L—Landscape value, M—Minimum value, N—No value, U—Reuse, R—Remove. Colors explanation: green—necessary to reuse; white—recommended to reuse; orange—not recommended to reuse.

and

Table 2. Nový závod/New Factory.

Type of Attribute		Description of Mass Attributes (Physical Value)	Value	Potential	Rate of Usage%
Technology	T1	Remains of anchoring of electric motors in the floor space	SS	U, R	25
	T2	Delivery corridor for raw materials	H, SS, TP	U	100
	T3	Ball mill elements	TP	R	10
	T4	Hoppers (constructional elements of the technology)	H, SS, TP	U	100
	T5	Water dams for flotation	SS	U	30
Structures	S1	Material and shaping of roof trusses	H, A	U	80
	S2	Material and shaping of truss columns	H, A	U	100
	S3	Material and shaping of handling area	TP	U	100
	S4	Inclined conveyor corridor—construction solution	H, TP	U	100
	S5	Roof sheathing construction material	M	U, R	20
	S6	Material of the outer shell construction	H	U, R	50
Archi.	A1	Spatial and compositional framework of the “cascade”	H, A	U	100
	A2	Architectural tectonics and morphology	H, A	U	80
	A3	Semantics of material—brick facade	H, A	U	90
Lands.	L1	Existing greenery	M	U, R	20
	L2	Existing outdoor water areas	L	U	50
	L3	Natural attractions in the wider countryside (pyramids)—positive impact	L	U	100
	L4	Negative elements, sludge (waste)	N	R	0

Legend: H—Historical–architectural, A—Aesthetic, TP—Document of technological process, SS—Structural solution, L—Landscape value, M—Minimum value, N—No value, U—Reuse, R—Remove. Colour explanation: green—necessary to reuse; white—recommended to reuse; orange—not recommended to reuse.

. The algorithm was derived from general methodical principles of heritage protection and conversion and was modified for the alteration of the original mining objects. The method of the process of transfer is also influenced by the normative areas of a socio-economic character, along with the regulatory norms regarding territorial development and administration. Each of these areas shares different degrees of the result of the transfer. The research author Ilkovič [38] presented a general conversion algorithm in an article. The current research focuses on the specifics and evaluation of the potential of the mining facilities determined for conversion. Similarly, the authors Ostręga et al. [14] created a decision-making model for dealing with buildings in post-mining areas oriented towards deciding on whether to adapt or demolish a building.

Another important step in the change algorithm for mining objects is the investigation and consequent appraisal of the mining complexes from the architectural unit to the typical details that create a picture of a ‘mining’ landscape. Interesting details and elements become the landmarks of mining industrial architecture. Many architects and conversation agents confirm that a conversion makes sense, provided there are still present traces of the original atmosphere in a building. The authors are drawn, for example, by the grandiose parameters of a space, the form of the bearing construction, the types of windows and lighting appliances, the dimensions of the staircases, and other interesting industrial details [39,40,41]. Newer constructions obviously cannot offer the charm that arises from the conjunction of the old and new spirit. With a conversion object, the union of time periods in the form and content is fascinating.

Respect for an existing structure is tied to contemporary circular economy initiatives. With a new function for the building, construction components can be renewed and used further, thus increasing the building’s potential. The application of Design for Disassembly (DfD) to architecture therefore represents the planning of opportunities for the repeat classification of a construction product or component to a value chain. The aim is the maximization of the recycling of demolition material for subsequent use [10]. DfD is a reaction to the abundance of material and energy resources and the increasing amount of waste. In the context of architecture, engineering, and building, it concerns an advance from the beginning of the project. It makes the disassembly at the end of the lifetime of a building easier, such that the features of a building may be reused, recycled, or assessed. In this way, the amount of waste is reduced [42]. The authors of a number of papers agree on the need for environmentally conscious design methods and processes. In conducting research, Design for Environment, DfD, and Design for Recycling [43,44] have been inspirational. The reason is the orientation of these areas towards the minimization of negative impacts on the environment, the harmonization of spatial variability, and the originality of the construction elements, along with support for the effective recycling of materials contained in the elements. All these areas are taken into account in the process of converting industrial buildings.

At the time of the origin of mining structures which are addressed in the frame of research (case studies), DfD research strategy and practice were unknown. The design of buildings did not reckon on their demolition and recycling, but contemporary research takes into account the repeated usage of building parts and not just their individual elements [42]. DfD strategies are not only modern, but they are also inspirational. They open up possibilities for multiple life cycles of buildings and move the regular recycling of building materials to a higher level of green design. Recovering resources from the anthroposphere in a densely populated city is a complex task; nevertheless, it is justified by the joint imperative of reducing unprocessed waste and extracting value from existing stocks [45] (pp. 32–39). Why not also use it for buildings in rural environments? A peculiar phenomenon occurs when former mines (coal, ore, iron ore) become mines again for building materials, without negative impacts on the landscape. It is a modification of the urban mining process. In the context of the circular economy, the protection of the industrial heritage gains an additional dimension. Adapting existing post-buildings has a significantly lower environmental impact than demolition and constructing new structures [14].

The conversion of mining properties is usually achieved on two levels. This involves both underground objects (shafts, tunnels, horizons) and objects on the surface that are related to the mining activity and belong to the class of industrial buildings. On both levels, there exist specific potentials and usage designs. Among the significant stages of this research is the determination of the value and potential of a building and its constructional and technological attributes. The research has been oriented towards evaluations on the basis of the criteria of the available territory, the safety of the construction, and the industrial aesthetic. Then it became possible to define the potential for development and thus the sustainability of the mining facility, site, locality, and location. The authors Hristov et al. [19] discuss the potential of industrial objects in terms of the effectiveness of shifting to new functions on the basis of the established criteria, including position, orientation, construction system, module, and lighting. The authors Pilipavičius et al. [46] established the basic criteria determining the possibility of the transition from industrial structures to accommodation premises. In addition to the general criteria (e.g., structure of building, space application, location, costs of reconstruction, and the like), they mention biofield. This psychological factor may be extremely important for the quality of life of the future user of the conversion. The authors suggest that people could have problems with using spaces that are associated with negative emotions.

Within the presented research, the authors oriented themselves towards accenting positive emotions. It is necessary to take into account the impressions of tourists at the visited sites and to analyze them not just from the viewpoint of educational, historical, and geographic values, but also from the standpoint of their attractiveness and safety for tourist visits, as pointed out by Patsiuk et al. [17]. On the basis of the stated claims and participation approaches, it is assumed that a conversion proposal and function selection will contribute to the sustainability of the buildings and the upgrading of the potential of the territory, as shown in Figure 7. Case studies and feasibility studies focused on spatial and functional concepts have been shown to be the most relevant.

4.1. Case Studies

4.1.1. The Šachta Mier/Mier Shaft

In terms of content and methodology, the case study was focused on revealing the usage possibilities of the construction bodies at the mining locations in the Rudňany locality. It can be stated that the sites in the locations around the Šachta Mier are typologically identical with neighbouring extraction shafts in the given region. A subject of research was the shaft construction and the nearby machine room for operating the shaft elevator cages. The typical outline of the Mier extraction tower today forms the dominant constructional feature of the Rudňany settlement. It is constructed of a classic mechanical composition for the extraction of raw materials. The extraction tower has an iron-bearing body with a brick envelope, while the engine room building is an atypical concrete frame skeleton with a brick infill. For the purposes of the research, evaluative territorial research was undertaken on the structures so as to discover their space and material parameters and the potential for new uses. The main attributes of the Šachta Mier are graphically documented in Figure 8a,b, and their values are determined in Table 1.

The starting points for the examination of the expected conversion and new usage proposal were data on the area and its present arrangement, the quality of the building’s substances, and the technological artefacts. The discovery of the limiting factors and the necessary inputs for a meaningful transformation, the intersection of technical possibilities, the deficits of function coverage in the locality, and the close surroundings of the Markušovce–Rudňany–Poráč mining communities were in question. The Rudňany shaft structure is itself declared as a National Cultural Technology Monument l and thus the assumption was made that it would not be demolished.

After the evaluation of the requirements of the local municipality and our own research, and taking into consideration the specifics of the region, a framework for the potential new usage functions of the shaft spaces was drafted. The values that are appreciated by the non-professional public have utilitarian dimensions and are assessed in terms of usability [47].

Within the case study, a combination of the following new functions was chosen:

-

Stone functions focused on the documentation and on an experiential presentation of the history of mining and the life of the local society;

-

Functions of a flexible character will include input in real time with a focus on the present-day requirements of the locality (educational activities for the general public exploring nature and the local geology, exhibitions of local ethnic groups).

4.1.2. Nový Závod/New Factory

Nový závod represents the end of the chain of mining centres in the given locale and presents an industrial construction with an atypical shape. The shape reflected the manufacturing cascade technologies of the separation flows of minerals. This principle of architectural copying of a technological flow is an illustration of the fulfilment of a quotation by the well-known American functionalist architect from the beginning of the 20th century, Luis Sullivan: “form follows function” [48]. The above-stated thesis is characteristic of industrial architecture and reflects a rationalist composition. We do not find many such examples these days. For this reason, the Nový závod in Rudňany attracts attention. The construction substance of the building was composed of two parts. The first is formed by a monolithic thin cube with a concrete skeleton structure, and the second is a steel framework over the hall space. Both units have a brick envelope. As with the Šachta Mier, the main attributes are also documented graphically, as shown in Figure 9a,b. Table 2 presents the values, potential, and usability of the attributes.

The case study examines the structure’s potential for a new function, an intersection of the structural and spatial characteristics of the existing building with the requirements of the proposed function. The characteristics of the property and the attractive natural features (Markušovské 3 pyramids) make it possible to undertake activities that are suitable for a blending of natural and artificial environments with varying super-regional, regional, or local significance. This approach depends on participation research and information from specifically oriented interest groups and on the attitudes of the municipality. The draft study reflected new features:

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Stone functions—semi-public (apartment living, areas for organized sport, culture, education) and public (temporary accommodation, presentation of the history of ore refining and the life of the local society);

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Functions of a flexible character—will be adapted at the appropriate time with a focus on the present requests of the locality: farmers’ markets, spaces for fairs, gastro and recreation/sports activities, community life.

One advantage of the conversion of the above-stated objects is the good building/technological state of the bearing structures and valuable technological relics. A relatively greater degree of intervention will be necessary for the insulation elements (perimeter walls, roof) from the standpoint of new norm requirements for structural heating technology. Table 1 and Table 2 clearly present the selected attributes of the examined structures, their values, the logical degree of the use of the attributes, and thus the potential for preservation and new usage. Marked in colour in the tables are the attributes necessary to preserve—green, what is recommended to preserve—white, and the preservation of which is not recommended—orange. The rate of usage arises from the assumed interventions: 100–90%—minimal intervention (surface aesthetic alterations); 80–70%—minor intervention (constructional alterations); 60–50%—minor reconstruction (shift of element); 40% and less—poor element stability and devastated part, (element that does not have documentary value).

5. Discussion

5.1. The Specifics and the Usage Potential of the Mining Objects

The old cannot force us to adapt, but, on the contrary, it should be integrated into a new concept of the functioning of relationships and objects. This has to be promoted and taken into consideration. This method of consideration is presented by the architects from a significant and well-known studio, BIG [49]. The conversion of structures requires a comparable approach, as well as an understanding of the context. The conversion of mining (and manufacturing) structures shows great potential—the potential for preserving and developing values, which is manifested in various areas. A positive example is the mining site Wallers Arenberg/Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin, with the aim of rehabilitating a site with very high patrimonial value [50]. In the past decade, numerous studies and initiatives have been undertaken in Europe (Great Britain and the Netherlands) to identify new sustainable project opportunities and to turn abandoned coal mine fields into spaces useful for society [51]. The original approach may also be praised by Katowice, Poland, when the former Wieczorek coal is being converted into a new sustainable technology hub [52]. These are values often hidden under the deposits of abandoned production remains, potentials concealed behind the complications of progressive reconstructions and add-ons. The authors of the study by Colas et al. [53] evaluated the limits that influenced decision-making in processes connected with the transformation of a mine: changes in the properties of the rock massif after mining, rock massif deformation, and limitations in height and volume (the size and depth of the mine). Establishing these specific limits required an interdisciplinary approach that is necessary in a transformation decision-making process. It is imperative to find the breaking point, when the limiting complications of the transformation turn into potentials—a search for reasons and details when restrictions turn into impulses and inspirations. In every design, the architect encounters limitations in various forms. The concept of limits, according to Iavarone and Birer [20], provides the possibility to understand the responsibility and obligations of architecture. Limitations define the solutions to construction–technical problems in architectural design. In conversions, it is a question of balancing the space requirements of the new functions in relation to the original mass. Transforming, in fact, does not simply indicate a change in a structure or an appearance, but also its meaning, roles, and characteristics. From the point of architecture, open systems are relevant. A convincing argument is that bygone industrial architecture has a significant role in creating new memorabilia—forms of space identification [54] (pp. 26–48). The transformations of neglected places into ones that support or uphold social narratives are valued by their inhabitants since they offer opportunities for creativity. At the same time, through the variety of the proposed functions, the balance between informal and entrepreneurial activities is monitored [55]. The conversion algorithm for Šachta Mier and Nový závod put into place a search for limits and helped define the specifics, usage potentials, and creation of memorability. In Table 1 and Table 2, this is confirmed by evaluations that provide answers to the first research question on the classification of specifics and usage potentials of the mining structures. With this approach, they revealed the possibilities for a logical conversion of the functions of the mining facilities, as shown in the Supplementary Materials.

5.2. Conversion of the Function in the Context of Sustainability

The proposals track stability in the choice of suitable functions, forecasting good visitor rates since the research suggests these do not exist or have low representation, and are sought after in the vicinity. Also, sustainability is declared by a combination of suitable functions and by the lack of difficulty in construction–technical changes, which are characterized as follows:

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Minimum excavation work and use of existing materials to the maximum extent;

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Minimal interventions to bearing and surface constructions;

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Use of existing technologies (heritage preservation) as traces of the original manufacturing functions and as artefacts;

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Simple construction–technical solutions for the proposed functions.

The intersection of the requirements of the municipality and interest groups with the opinion of a future investor, an owner, and with the opinion of the authors of the research indicates the right road to the transformation of the structures and to the change in function. Only consensus and complex respect for the givens of the site can lead to sustainability and the function transfer of the historic mining buildings.

Table 3. New functions in the buildings.

	The Šachta Mier/Mier Shaft				Nový Závod/New Factory
Function	% of Volume	Scope			% of Volume	Scope
		1	2	3		1	2	3
Temporary accommodation	0	○	○	○	15	○	○	■
Gastro	5	■	■	○	15	○	■	■
Sport	10	○	■	○	25	○	■	■
Retail and services	10	■	■	○	5	○	■	○
Administration, community facilities	20	■	○	○	15	○	■	■
Culture and education	55	■	■	■	25	○	○	■

Scope: 1—local, 2—regional, 3—supra-regional. Legend: ○—it is not, ■—it is.

summarizes the answers to a second research question—on the possibilities of conversion of the functioning of the mining structures in the context of the sustainability of historical mining facilities in the Rudňany area. A percentage of the volume of the buildings was added to the proposed functions, and their significance was defined from the viewpoint of accessibility in the territory. The accessibility and character of the buildings have an effect on their functional usage and visitor rates. In line with this, their significance is classed as local, regional, or super-regional.

The results can be supported by other opinions. Industrial regeneration in the final decades of the 20th century brought to the forefront proposals for repeat usage of distinctive buildings for various purposes. We cannot afford to discard what we have already: the challenge is to grow on the past [56] (pp. 169–173). It can be claimed that, for a number of reasons, there exist societal attributes of industrial transference. The authors Uyumaz and Soyluk [8] state that, in the first place, it is necessary to examine the space potential of the industrial facilities and to define the potential requirements. The assertion that the large dimensions of premises influence the quality of the interior space is generally valid. One of the most influential factors in the success of an industrial building conversion is the specific architectural expression that these objects bring forth. Through the usage of expression, the distinctive spirit of a new space is enlivened. It is therefore necessary to preserve, to as high a percentage as possible, the original constructional–technical elements, structural elements, the specific details of a production, interior and exterior, or technological facilities; Table 1 and Table 2 present this fact.

To ensure the shifting of structures remains unaltered, it is necessary to work with appropriate methods in the evaluation of a conversion. The approach to evaluating the conversion of available office buildings is inspirational. The authors Petković-Grozdanovića et al. indicate their meaning from the standpoint of sustainability and also from that of urban regeneration [57]. This presented research, on the other hand, calls for the regeneration of rural landscapes, the nature that should be accented in a given area.

5.3. The Feasibility Study

Case studies focus on conceptual design in context with the surroundings, which is the single possible route to the regeneration of a locality. It is also necessary to calculate the risks, such as hidden construction and technical problems. These can be revealed by a critical view of feasibility studies [58]. The result of the feasibility study has a significant influence on the final solution. It investigates various approaches and identifies the advantages that a location provides [59]. “There are two ways of devising strategies for the adaptation of industrial buildings: ‘sixth sense’ intuition or meticulous feasibility studies. Re-use is a risk business, but the chance of failure can be reduced by a feasibility study” [60] (pp. 28–51). This is the reason why preference is given to feasibility studies, where, by pointing out the risks, objective information for the elimination of presumed risks is provided.

Feasibility studies, according to the literature [60], contain: Introduction to the building and its location; Building condition report; Financial summary; Market study; Architect’s report and specifications; Drawings with plans as existing and proposed site plan; Cost report. The authors Patsiuk et al. [17] assessed mining structures as a component in mine tourism on the basis of six criteria, which reflected historical values and tourist attractiveness, while, at the same time, focused on the structures as part of regional culture and dealt with negative outcomes. This critical approach presents the presumption of logical steps as a part of re-use and sustainability. Re-use is also a key approach in the preservation of traditional architecture, balancing the level of intervention and the weight of the object’s values [61]. The results of the research are presented through a function-space evaluation and an architectural study of feasibility arising from the algorithm of change in historical sites and objects of mining activity as a specific type of industrial production. The authors Matěj and Ryšková [62] assessed buildings determined for protection and preservation and stressed that the value of sites is always the sum of the total of their various partial values, depending on their degree of authenticity. Assessment as part of the presented research mainly relates to the chief resolution areas in the feasibility study. The areas were determined such that they raised the specifics of the objects, their wider contexts, and their clarity of presentation, as shown in

Table 4. Assessment of the main areas of the solutions and modifications of main attributes.

	Šachta Mier/Mier Shaft		Nový Závod/New Factory
Area of Solution	Proposed Solutions	Specifics of Construction Modification	Proposed Solutions	Specifics of Building Modifications
Relation of building and locality, exterior, landscape modification	New exterior modification, landscape modifications	Addressing the relationship of object and landscape, repair of water element. New: planting of greenery, exterior elements.	New exterior arrangement, landscape arrangement	Addressing the relationship of object and landscape, repair of water element. New: planting of greenery, exterior elements. Use of materials from demolition work
	Regeneration of the environment		Regeneration of the environment
	Modification of the terrain and tourist routes		Modification of terrain and tourist paths
Architecture, concept	Free, variable layout	Adjustments for the new layout, retaining the shaft identity: accenting of extraction tower and suitable technological elements in machine room.	Free, variable layout	Adjustments for the new layout, retaining shaft identity: accenting of the production interior and the look of the object. Accenting of conveyor and hoppers
	Insertion of hygiene, service cores		Insertion of hygiene, service cores
	New concept for facade and interior design.		New concept for facade and interior design.
Construction solutions	Preservation of intact bearing structures	Surface renovation of bearing structure, necessary material adaption, accenting of interesting details	Preservation of intact bearing structures	Surface renovation of bearing structure, necessary material adaption, accenting of interesting details
	Solution of cladding structures		Solution of cladding structures
	Addressing non-bearing elements		Addressing non-bearing elements
Traces of original technologies	Preservation of parts of technological supply	Refurbishment of selected parts of the technology, necessary building repairs and adaption of elements to new concept	Preservation of parts of technologies of ore processing and treatment	Refurbishment of selected parts of the technology, necessary building repairs and adaption of elements to new concept
	Preservation of characteristic details of technology		Preservation of characteristic details of technology

:

• Locality, environment, building, and genius loci;
• Architectonic concept (setting of the preservation level of the original character of the object, application of new form, extent of intervention, and building transformation);
• Building structure (usability and setting of the intervention level for the original structure);
• Identification of the manufacturing technology for the preservation of artefacts;
• Defining and spatially validating the design of new functions in the context of sustainability (Table 3).

Behind any successful conversion, there stands an array of participants—architect, engineers, the municipality, the investor, as well as the positive acceptance of the work by the public. Discussions with representatives of the involved bodies regarding their viewpoints on the specialist proposals provided valuable information that could be incorporated into the design resolution [63]. Processes of preservation and renewal are not simply limited to their direct relationship with the building; they go beyond the framework to make use of heritage value and community memory with the goal of increasing consciousness of that heritage. Community acceptance is a significant point in the process of social participation, which contributes to the success and sustainability of the processes of conservation and re-use [64]. The threatened loss of something may spark interest in a place, an object, or an event. As Pranskūnienė and Zabulionienė [5] state, there is a positive aspect to loss that motivates towards a new relationship to the environment (and so to an original mining locality).

The reason for the conversion of mining sites is the preservation of the traces of mining activity, contributing to a positive perception of a disappearing profession and to the preservation of needed continuity, including education in the mine engineering branch [65]. Case studies provide proof of this. The new usage of objects and sites of mining activity opens up sources for the support of local history, including through non-traditional site installations—site-specific art. These in situ installations are attractive in that they succeed in communicating with the specific space. Mining sites are especially suitable for linking art, technology, and nature. It is assumed that temporary and cyclically changing activities in conversion objects will have an influence on the stability and life sustenance of the restored buildings and will become an accelerant for the development of tourism in a given territory. Multiplying the possibilities of usage of these spaces gives a better outlook for a continuation of their existence. Many rural sites in eastern Slovakia suffer from a lack of development activities and, therefore, of working positions. Former mining sites are particularly prominent regarding the above situation, becoming home to a socially weaker population segment, thus deepening the above-stated contradiction. Local municipalities are quite open to changing this state and bringing a new life spirit to the settlements. The results of the presented research also form a small contribution. The feasibility of the conversion of mining buildings in Rudňany has illustrated the positive outcomes for the given locality in the following areas:

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Enlivening highland tourism and travel;

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Overall visitor rates indirectly contribute to an area’s economic development;

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Positive impact on the area of education;

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Direct bearer of the mining reference to future generations;

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Development of an infrastructure;

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Development of specific activities on a local, regional, and to a degree, supra-regional level;

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Recultivation and maintenance of the environment.

Apart from the positive contributions, during the conversion itself, hidden risks, which cannot be precisely identified in advance, can also occur; consequently, it is necessary to have in place solutions that would minimize risks, as shown in

Table 5. Risks associated with the conversion of buildings.

Risk	The Šachta Mier/Mier Shaft	Nový Závod/New Factory	Solution
Function	Usability of new functions as part of tourism influenced by social factors of the settlement	Usability of supra-regional functions as part of tourism by the influence of the site’s social factors	Variable disposal solutions for the possibility of changing functions
Constructions	Unforeseen interventions to the construction in the case of allowing access to the underground shaft	Unforeseeable breakdowns of the original constructions (hidden faults in bearing structures)	Good construction diagnostics and possibilities to strengthen it; renovation
Landscape	Degradation of the surroundings	Insufficient recultivation of the landscape in the vicinity of the site	Landscape protection; progressive arrangement of the nature in the wider environs

. The goal is to provide objective information to the parties involved and to identify values and opportunities as well as potential risks.

6. Conclusions

The use of the potentials of historic mining structures forms a further step in the life cycle of a mine, set in place after the termination of its original function related to the extraction of minerals. In the research, the authors accent the algorithm of conversion, the main potentials, and the results of a case study. It follows from these that conversion creates possibilities for a second life for the mine’s architecture. A quotation from the sci-fi writer Stephen King: “Sooner or later, everything old is new again” (The Colorado Kid) accurately depicts the meaning of conversion. The important thing is to find the attributes within the factors that give a boost to the change, which reveal new usage possibilities and thus support the identity of a given locality. The point is to find a new method for making available values and production traces which form an original backdrop for newly designed functions [40]. The study demonstrated the scope of usability of the existing building substance and its architectural values, along with a new function description for the buildings. In addition, it provided an answer to the question of the sustainability of the mining structures in the locality of Rudňany, including social sustainability. The research results confirmed the correctness of the methodological steps during the conversion of the mining structures, where a specific functional content represents the flexible element of the entire process. It is dependent, of course, on potential investors and their viewpoints on conversions. In the formation of the function fulfilment, circuits in harmony with the current thinking of the interest groups involved were composed. The conclusions can be included in the following blocks, suggesting how to approach the use of the architectonic heritage of mining sites:

• To reflect in the new usages of the buildings the existing urban or countryside context. Regarding the site, during the original constructions, there was a relatively insensitive approach to the countryside and to the structure of the settlement, which, from the economic side of extraction, was an inevitable phenomenon.
• To take advantage of the spaciousness of the interior premises when combining the former and present functions—joining the old and the new. To conceive new functions on the principle of originality of representation in the locality and the region.
• To present the architectural solutions in such a way that expressive identity elements are preserved; to preserve to a maximum degree the technological artefacts and the spirit of the final day; to present them to the public within wide-reaching educational activities relating to mining and the region.
• To a maximum degree, preserve and make use of quality structural substances and details. To be very cautious in the area of the new appearance, to adapt the material expression of the architecture to the period of an object’s appearance.

The conversion of the mining structures must be looked at as a cultural phenomenon. The presently unused mining buildings offer significant possibilities for a change in purpose in their new function. On account of their original purposes, post-extraction facilities are very specific and hard to adapt. The efforts invested in adaptations, however, must have noteworthy results from the standpoint of the environment and the original aesthetic. The preservation of a material and non-material mining heritage has its justification if space is left in the conversion for the presentation of the original technological processes, if the transformation is designed with regard to the identity of the original product, its context, and milieu. A contextual approach represents designing with respect for the original structure and for the landscape, following the path of indispensable sustainability.