adaptive reuse for sustainable heritage preservation: a focus …€¦ · adaptive reuse for...

Adaptive Reuse for

Sustainable Heritage Preservation:

A Focus on Built Heritage in Guyana

3rd Caribbean Conference of National Trusts and Preservation Societies

November 18, 2017

Willemstad, Curacao

Nirvana PersaudChief Executive Officer

National Trust of Guyana

National Trust of Guyana

• Established in 1972 by An Act of Parliament that “makesprovision for the preservation of monuments, sites, placesand objects of historic interest or national importance.”

• Governed by a Board appointed by the State.

• The Act provides for the protection, preservation andpromotion of tangible heritage in Guyana.

• A “monument” according to the Act includes any: building, structure,object or other work of man or of nature whether above or below thesurface of land or the floor of the sea within the territorial waters ofGuyana and any site, cave or excavation.”

• National Monuments are also designated under this legislation and arevested in the agency. To date there are 9 gazetted monuments.

• The Trust maintains a heritage register of known/documented heritageresources.

• The main areas of work include policy and institutional strengthening,conservation, and maintenance research and documentation, publicawareness and education.

Background Background Background Background • Only English speaking country in South America

• Bordered by Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil

• Multi-cultural (Indigenous, Europeans, Africans, East Indians, Portuguese,Chinese) given the history of discovery, slavery, indentureship, colonialism,independence

• Built heritage of various types, forms, designs, materials, craftsmanship, purpose,significance/value

• Much to protect, preserve and promote. Adaptive reuse is a viable option tosustain built heritage. However…

Losing Heritage due to:Losing Heritage due to:Losing Heritage due to:Losing Heritage due to:

• Weather

• Fire

• Vandalism

• Neglect

• Poor maintenance

• Inadequate resources/no incentives

• Lack of appreciation among citizens:• Not aware of the value (s)/no real value attached• Demolition• New constructions

Sacred Heart Cathedral

(Opened in 1861)

Sacred Heart Cathedral

(Destroyed by fire in 2004)

Umana Yana (Destroyed by fire in 2014)

“the conservation of our historic buildings demands wisemanagement of resources, sound judgement and aestheticsensitivity and a clear sense of proportion. Above all it demandsthe desire and dedication to ensure that our cultural heritage ispreserved.”

Bernard Feilden, 2003

Adaptive ReuseAdaptive ReuseAdaptive ReuseAdaptive Reuse

• A process by which older and/or historic buildings are developed for their culturalvalue while receiving economically, socially, culturally viable new uses of asustainable nature

• This process ensures the retention of most of the historic features.

• Extensive restoration or rehabilitation of both the interior and exteriors is usuallyinvolved.

• Renovation, re-functioning or conversion of traditional buildings and monumentsfor contemporary uses is a tool for carrying the traditional environmentsphysically and socially into future generations.

• The importance of this trend is that extending the useful life of existingbuildings supports the key concepts of sustainability by lowering material,transport and energy consumption and pollution.

• However, the successful conservation of the urban heritage conservation—inthe case of adaptive rehabilitation of urban heritage sites to contemporaryuses - requires achieving a delicate balance between conservation anddevelopment, between conserving the socio-cultural values of the heritageand allowing for interventions that will position them to acceptcontemporary uses (Eduardo Rojas).

• The values embodied in cultural heritage are identified in order to assesssignificance, prioritize resources, and inform conservation decision-making. Itis recognized that values may compete and change over time, and thatheritage may have different meanings for different stakeholders.

• There are a few historic buildings being reused in Guyana as offices (publicand private, restaurants/hotel/cafes, museum and research centre, touristattraction). However much more can de done to sustain the rich builtheritage.

SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability

• The built environment provides a footnote to our histories, helping to identifyour respective heritage places. Historic buildings give us a glimpse of our pastand lend character to our communities as well as serving practical purposesnow.

• Sustainable development “is that which meets the needs of the presentwithout compromising the ability of future generations to meet their ownneeds.” Brundtland Commission, 1987.

• Sustainability/longevity - make choices to benefit future generations.

Sustainability Sustainability Sustainability Sustainability Cont’dCont’dCont’dCont’d

• In the pursuit of sustainable development, communities have much to gain fromadaptively reusing historic buildings. Bypassing the wasteful process of demolitionand reconstruction alone sells the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse(Commonwealth of Australia, 2004).

• Environmental benefits, combined with energy savings and the social advantageof recycling a valued heritage place make adaptive reuse of historic buildings anessential component of sustainable development (Commonwealth of Australia,2004).

• The sustainability of urban heritage conservation is enhanced when the urbanheritage site become attractive for a wide diversity of social actors interested in avariety of values of the heritage (Rojas).

• The adaptive reuse of a historic building should have minimal impact on the heritagesignificance of the building and its setting. Developers should gain an understanding of whythe building has heritage status, and then pursue development that is sympathetic to thebuilding to give it a new purpose. Adaptive reuse is self-defeating if it fails to protect thebuilding’s heritage values.

Values - why an object or place is meaningful, to whom, for whom it is conserved -

• The impact of interventions on how it is understood or perceived value of a historic place isembodied in its -

� Character defining materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses & culturalassociations or meanings.

� Socio cultural - aesthetic, historic, social, economic, spiritual, cultural and even political

� Use value

• The life cycle of historic buildings can extend for hundreds of years ifthey are well conserved and adapted.

• Their adaptation offers an opportunity to reuse traditional materialswhich are friendly to the environment and applicable to recycling.

Cara Lodge � Once a private dwelling: 1840s

� Now a heritage hotel and restaurant

� Social/recreational

� Revenue earner

� Hosting of events

� Creates employment

� Promotes tourism

� Sustains heritage

How is it described:

“Modern comforts surrounded by touches

of Guyana’s colonial heritage - This

magnificent home turned hotel offers the

tradition and nostalgia of a bygone era,

complete with service and comfort of a

modern hotel in a most congenial family

atmosphere.”

Herdmanston Lodge

� Once a private residence

� Now a hotel: hosting of special

events and services


� Revenue earner

� Preservation of Guyana’s timber architecture

How it is described:

“An intimate heritage hotel in Guyana. This

upperscale Guyana hotel prides itself in excellent guest service. One of only a few

Guyana hotels that has maintained Guyana's distinctive colonial architecture.”

Duke Lodge � Once a dwelling house

� Now a recreation spot

� Hotel, restaurant, conference centre, special events

� Promotes tourism

� Heritage preservation

� Revenue earner


How it is described:

“It is an elegant jewel in an exquisitecollection of local architectural

treasures and an oasis of tranquilityamidst a bustling city”

Duke Lodge, (Sharples House)

� Construction completed in

1752

� Served as a place of worship, Court House and Vendue

Office

� Oldest non-military structure

in Guyana

Dutch Heritage Museum (Court of Policy Hall)

• Internal view



• Present day

� In 2000, rehabilitation works

commenced by the National Trust

� In 2007, the Dutch Heritage

Museum, housed in the historic Court of Policy Hall, was

opened

� Display artefacts, objects and

information on the Dutch history of Guyana, promoting a greater

understanding of this aspect of the nation's heritage

� The only such institution of its

kind in the region

• Internal view (present day)


Hogg Island Windmill

� Constructed in the 18th

century on a plantation called Luyksberg, located in the

Essequibo region

� The windmill is 34 feet in diameter and 36 feet in height

Hogg Island Windmill

• Present day

� In 2008, rehabilitation works

commence on the Windmill by the National Trust

� Today it is one of the many

visited heritage sites by tourists

� It serves as a reminder of our

Dutch built heritage

� Once a residence/dwelling house: late 1800s

� Residence of former Presidents of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jaganand Mrs. Janet Jagan

� Now a Public Office: CheddiJagan Research Centre also know as Red House, opened on March 22, 2000

� Services: library/archives conference centre, museum, public fairs/events

� Preservation of Guyana’s colonial timber architecture

Cheddi Jagan Research Centre: Red House

Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology� Once a residence/dwelling house: late 1800s

� Now a public museum: artifacts and exhibits - both anthropological and archaeological in nature

� Promotes Guyana’s indigenous heritage

� Rehabilitated by the Ministry

of Culture, Youth and Sport in 2002


� Preservation of Guyana’s colonial timber architecture

National Art Gallery: Castellani House� Originally a private residence: late 1800s

� Once the official residence of late Prime Minister, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham

� Now a public building: a collection of the nation’s art and craft pieces

� Various pieces from well-known local artists and craftsmen

� The building was declared the National Art Gallery: CastellaniHouse, in 1993

Canadian High Commission

� Once functioned as a convent for the Sister’s of Mercy, which was constructed circa 1949. The previous convent building (different location) was dismantled and reconstructed at this location (present structure)

� Now the office of the Canadian High Commission established in 1978

� Preservation of Guyana’s timber architecture

Heritage is not a renewable resource; therefore it should be conserved in

the most efficient way.

Lost OpportunitiesLost OpportunitiesLost OpportunitiesLost Opportunities

19th century New Amsterdam Hospital

St. Barnabas Church, 1884;

Demolished 2011

Where there are significant trade-offs, achieving a balance requires reaching agreements among the

stakeholders (Rojas).

Stakeholders must have a shared vision therefore when it comes to heritage

preservation.

Findings Pros:Pros:Pros:Pros:

�Heritage sustainedHeritage sustainedHeritage sustainedHeritage sustained

�Skills revitalized (Labor regains lost traditional building and restoration skills).Skills revitalized (Labor regains lost traditional building and restoration skills).Skills revitalized (Labor regains lost traditional building and restoration skills).Skills revitalized (Labor regains lost traditional building and restoration skills).

�RRRReeeedddduuuucccceeeedddd ccccoooosssstttt////eeeennnneeeerrrrggggyyyy ((((rrrreeeedddduuuucccceeeedddd ddddeeeemmmmoooolllliiiittttiiiioooonnnn wwwwaaaasssstttteeee,,,, ppppoooolllllllluuuuttttiiiioooonnnn,,,, rrrreeeedddduuuucccceeeedddd rrrreeeessssoooouuuurrrrcccceeee ccccoooonnnnssssuuuummmmppppttttiiiioooonnnn ccccoooommmmppppaaaarrrreeeedddd

to a demolishto a demolishto a demolishto a demolish----andandandand----rebuild scenario, and the retention of the original building’s embodied energy. rebuild scenario, and the retention of the original building’s embodied energy. rebuild scenario, and the retention of the original building’s embodied energy. rebuild scenario, and the retention of the original building’s embodied energy.

� EmbodiedEmbodiedEmbodiedEmbodied energyenergyenergyenergy isisisis thethethethe energyenergyenergyenergy andandandand materialsmaterialsmaterialsmaterials alreadyalreadyalreadyalready usedusedusedused inininin makingmakingmakingmaking aaaa buildingbuildingbuildingbuilding.... ItItItIt isisisis defineddefineddefineddefined “as“as“as“as thethethethe eeeennnneeeerrrrggggyyyy

consumedconsumedconsumedconsumed bybybyby allallallall thethethethe processesprocessesprocessesprocesses associatedassociatedassociatedassociated withwithwithwith thethethethe productionproductionproductionproduction ofofofof aaaa building,building,building,building, fromfromfromfrom thethethethe acquisitionacquisitionacquisitionacquisition ofofofof nnnnaaaattttuuuurrrraaaallll

resourcesresourcesresourcesresources totototo productproductproductproduct delivery,delivery,delivery,delivery, includingincludingincludingincluding mining,mining,mining,mining, manufacturingmanufacturingmanufacturingmanufacturing ofofofof materialsmaterialsmaterialsmaterials andandandand equipment,equipment,equipment,equipment, transporttransporttransporttransport aaaannnndddd

administrativeadministrativeadministrativeadministrative functions”functions”functions”functions”.... ReusingReusingReusingReusing buildingsbuildingsbuildingsbuildings retainretainretainretain theirtheirtheirtheir embodiedembodiedembodiedembodied energy,energy,energy,energy, andandandand thethethethe materialsmaterialsmaterialsmaterials generallygenerallygenerallygenerally keptkeptkeptkept inininin aaaa

buildingbuildingbuildingbuilding adaptedadaptedadaptedadapted forforforfor reusereusereusereuse areareareare alsoalsoalsoalso oftenoftenoftenoften thethethethe mostmostmostmost energyenergyenergyenergy intensiveintensiveintensiveintensive materialsmaterialsmaterialsmaterials....

� Heritage revitalizedHeritage revitalizedHeritage revitalizedHeritage revitalized

� Creation of employment Creation of employment Creation of employment Creation of employment

� Revenue generation Revenue generation Revenue generation Revenue generation –––– (owners, new (owners, new (owners, new (owners, new use use use use –––– rentals etc,rentals etc,rentals etc,rentals etc,

� Supports local tourism/niche market [souvenirs, cuisine, etc]

� Increases property value, branding,)

� SustenanceSustenanceSustenanceSustenance ofofofof identityidentityidentityidentity (because(because(because(because heritageheritageheritageheritage buildingsbuildingsbuildingsbuildings becomebecomebecomebecome culturalculturalculturalculturalicons,icons,icons,icons, theirtheirtheirtheir preservationpreservationpreservationpreservation impactsimpactsimpactsimpacts onononon communitycommunitycommunitycommunity wellwellwellwell----being,being,being,being, sensesensesensesense ofofofofplace,place,place,place, culturalculturalculturalcultural identityidentityidentityidentity andandandand thereforethereforethereforetherefore socialsocialsocialsocial sustainability)sustainability)sustainability)sustainability)....

Ministry of Finance Department of Culture Youth & Sport

�ImprovedImprovedImprovedImproved cityscape/communitycityscape/communitycityscape/communitycityscape/community

�HeritageHeritageHeritageHeritage promotionpromotionpromotionpromotion

�PopulacePopulacePopulacePopulace awareawareawareaware

Brazilian Embassy housed

in a heritage building

Cons:

� Sees old buildings as inefficient because of their drafty windows andancient heating and cooling systems.

Astor Cinema : 1900s timber building now demolished

Cons:

� Limited skills

� Unavailability of materials/high maintenance cost

� Alienation of community/gentrification (adaptive reuse viewed asa hindrance to increase urban density, challenge to maintaincommunity life given it can be a new venue for tourists in large-scale projects, stabilize land prices/rent increase to mitigate theeffects of gentrification etc,)

� Increased carrying capacity (depending on location of site)

Cons:

� Limited opportunities for revenue generation –poor location, infrastructure etc.

� Threat to heritage/Damage to sites (poor

plans/designs/too much change, notunderstanding the concept of reuse)

� Lack of incentives (no motivation to keep the

heritage)

� Weak legislation/policies to effect reuseEast Lothian House

1900s

� Developers see high cost for re-purpose than demolition, process toocomplicated (regulations, cost for conservation etc)

Historic timber building,

demolished by new owner/developer

� Users unaware of value (not knowing the value & significance& how to work with it)

� Unable to balance old & new (what to keep and what tochange – balancing cultural heritage and economic viability)

� Too limited stakeholders engagement/interests for heritagepreservation

Moving ForwardMoving ForwardMoving ForwardMoving Forward

• Strengthen/update existing legislation & develop new policies/legislationto foster ‘green’ heritage preservation (sustainable plans), revitalizationagenda

• Integrate public awareness and heritage education in curriculum

• Heritage valorization

• Research & Documentation (relevant history, local stories etc must betraced and known)

Moving Forward Moving Forward Moving Forward Moving Forward cont’dcont’dcont’dcont’d

• Create heritage incentives (government funding, leases, tax breaks,relaxation/exemption on strict building regulations, establish heritage trustfunds to sustain this etc)

• Explore revenue generation

• Foster skills training

• Utilize Public private partnerships

• Increase/strengthen/develop stakeholder/community networking/involvement/cooperation

As such “new ongoing use of heritage buildings shouldembrace energy efficiency, low carbon emissions,harmonized relationship with the surroundingenvironment, cost effectiveness, economic viability,social equity and cultural identity) and of course politicalsupport to sustain these” (Yung & Chan).

Plans must be holistic, innovative and balanced and mustbe beneficial to stakeholders as far as possible.

Remember. . . .Remember. . . .Remember. . . .Remember. . . .

“if we choose not to conserve important parts of ourhistoric environment, we will make it harder for futuregenerations to understand and appreciate their past, andwe will impoverish their quality of life.”

Heritage Canada Foundation, (1997)

Thank you.

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