Infill architecture: chasing changes of attitudes in conservation of urban heritage

Abstract

International regulation for urban heritage started in 1964 (Venice Charter) and since then the scope, methods and means for regulation of new architectural objects in conservation areas have been deepened and revised by the UNESCO, ICOMOS and Council of Europe organizations. The author defines certain stages in evolution of the concept of urban heritage, principles of its conservation and development and, consequently, recommendations for new architectural elements to be integrated into urban heritage sites as quantitative spread and qualitative elaboration. Recommendations for infill architecture started with maintenance of harmony between new building and its historical context on the urban-structural and formalcompositional levels. Later on, they encompassed the reflection of local character, following traditional patterns, continuity of a place's intangible values and social experience, also highquality architectural standards. The author parallels the change of concepts on international level with the practice of insertion of new architectural objects in Lithuanian historic urban heritage.