Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 440

Special Issue Editors

School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University Of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Interests: architectural history; conservation and restoration of architectural heritage; urban renewal; school buildings; architectural art
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Guest Editor
College of Architecture, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Interests: conservation and adaptive-reuse strategies; Chinese modern architectural heritage; authenticity and integrity; construction technology; church school

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Guest Editor
School of Architecture, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
Interests: history of modern Chinese architecture; history of architectural technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Modern and contemporary architecture not only serves as a material embodiment of social transformation, technological progress, and cultural trends of specific historical periods but also functions as a vital cultural carrier of collective memory and national identity. In the context of ongoing globalization and rapid urban renewal, a critical challenge has emerged: how to systematically evaluate the historical significance of modern and contemporary architecture, scientifically promote its conservation and restoration, and achieve rational strategies for its adaptive reuse. These issues have become focal points of widespread concern in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and related disciplines.

In recent years, research on architectural history and heritage conservation has evolved considerably, with methodologies becoming increasingly diversified. Traditional approaches—such as field surveys, archival studies, and stylistic analyses—are now being integrated with emerging technologies, including digital surveying, 3D modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and remote sensing image analysis. This convergence of methods is driving the refinement, scientific rigor, and sustainability of conservation practices. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research has become an essential catalyst for innovation and advancement in this field.

The objective of this theme is to collect and disseminate the latest research outcomes that combine theoretical depth with practical relevance in the study of modern and contemporary architectural history and heritage conservation. It also aims to encourage research from multidisciplinary and multi-technology perspectives, fostering cross-domain collaboration and advancing holistic approaches to the preservation of architectural heritage.

Dr. Hechi Wang
Dr. Zhanfang Hu
Dr. Linhua Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • architectural history
  • arts and humanities
  • architectural culture
  • architectural heritage
  • modern built heritage
  • conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings and sites
  • digital cultural heritage conservation
  • artificial intelligence and heritage conservation
  • urban renewal
  • sustainable conservation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 19436 KB  
Article
Preserving Europe’s Post-War University Buildings: Towards Integrated Conservation and Management Plans
by Giuseppe Galbiati, Franz Graf and Giulia Marino
Buildings 2025, 15(21), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213824 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 215
Abstract
The construction of post-Second World War university buildings represents one of the most distinctive architectural phenomena of the twentieth century. These buildings rapidly gained international recognition for their innovative design and construction techniques, while also embodying the social and political aspirations of their [...] Read more.
The construction of post-Second World War university buildings represents one of the most distinctive architectural phenomena of the twentieth century. These buildings rapidly gained international recognition for their innovative design and construction techniques, while also embodying the social and political aspirations of their time. Today, however, nearly five decades after their completion, they face new challenges related to energy retrofitting, spatial renovation, and functional adaptation. As a result, the architectural integrity of many European post-war universities is increasingly at risk. Extensive renovations, abandonment, and even demolitions are becoming more frequent, often in the absence of coherent management frameworks or long-term conservation strategies. To address these issues, this study adopts a three-phase methodological framework consisting of (1) historical research, (2) critical–comparative analysis of conservation and management strategies, and (3) in situ investigation. Through the examination of multiple case studies across Europe, the research finds that, although Conservation and Management Plans (CMPs) are internationally recognized as effective tools for safeguarding heritage, they have been implemented in only a limited number of cases. The analysis reveals significant variations in strategic approaches and expected outcomes, resulting in a highly heterogeneous panorama. The challenges and limitations that have led to the current situation are also discussed. By providing a large overview of the current practice, the paper aims at demonstrating the urgent need to develop new, more comprehensive CMPs. These plans should integrate objectives relating to energy efficiency, heritage preservation, and adaptive reuse. Multidisciplinary approaches are thus advocated over the fragmented, mono-objective plans that remain prevalent today. Full article
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