Contemporary Spolia: Afterlives of Ruins in Fragments

Abstract

The practice of spolia emerges as a new architectural phenomenon within the context of contemporary building design, acquiring significant relevance in both architectural praxis and scholarly discourse. The interest in the exploitation of reclaimed materials resides in the possibilities spolia provide in terms of establishing a link to place and local culture. The reuse of architectural pieces, in this aspect, operates as a design method,(1) where it does not comprise the mere relocation of a fragment, but rather the transformation of the material in its new surroundings, imbuing the piece with a new context in its afterlife. This paper endeavors to examine the scope and extent of spolia employed in contemporary structures, while scrutinizing the diverse approaches within the design field. It hence seeks to propose an argument on the possibility to re-establish cultural cohesion by respecting the accumulated and heterogeneous nature of the constructed environment.