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Partners:
The Directorate for Culture and Cultural Heritage, Brasov The Evanghelical Church CA, Brasov The gate of 22 Baritiu Street, Brasov, has just been dismantled and a temporary gate has been installed in its place until the completion of the repair and conservation works. On the 16th of April 2010, the gate of 7 Britiu Street has been re-installed. After years and years since being dumped and forgotten in one of the cellars of the property, it has been brought back to light and restored. These initiatives are part of a project initiated by the Pro Patrimonio Foundation. Under the name of "The Gates of Brasov", the project aims to raise awareness about the importance of the preservation of architectural elements. The Foundation is supporting the owners of traditional buildings from the historical areas of Brasov who wish to repair and conserve the gates of their properties. The support consists in financial help and professional assistance. The works are undertaken by craftsmen specialised in conservation of timber and metal elements, employing only traditional materials and techniques. The project begun in 2009 when a Brasovian citizen contacted the Pro Patrimonio Foundation asking for help to save the gate of his property. An impressive, old timber gate, with beautiful carved walnut wood decorations, was supposed to be replaced with a modern metal one. Unfortunately, in a "throw-away" society, replacement rather than repair is the preferred option. But the story of this gate was not to end there. Pro Patrimonio Foundation, though the generosity of their Highnesses Princess Marina Sturdza and Prince Serban Cantacuzino, together with the Foundation’s architect Mrs. Silvia Demeter-Lowe and Mr. Arpad Jakab from Frizart joinery firm, managed not only to prolong the life span of this gate but also to restore its former beauty. This first initiative brought the attention on the necessity of supporting the owners of historic properties in their efforts of maintaining and repairing their buildings. As a consequence, other organisations joined in and a partnership has been created with the Directorate for Culture and Cultural Heritage-Brasov and the Evanghelical Church CA - Brasov. Therefore, other nine gates have been selected as potential candidates for the continuation of the project. The main criteria for the final selection were: architectural and historic value, location and, foremost, the desire of involvement of its owners. The costs of the repair works and professional assistance are covered almost entirely by the Pro Patrimonio Foundation and partners. Only 3% to 5% of the repair costs are covered by the owners. From left to right:
Figure 1. 22 Baritiu Street before conservation.
Figures 2 and 3. Gate of 7 Baritiu Street before and after the works completed.
Figures 4 and 5. 16 Brancoveanu Street, before and after the works completed.
Figure 6. “Gates of Brasov” inauguration, with the participation of leading architect Serban Cantacuzino, one of the founders of Pro Patrimonio Foundation.
About the author
Silvia Demeter-Lowe
Architect, Project Coordinator Contact: contextarchitecture@gmail.com
Silvia Demeter-Lowe is architect and consultant for Pro Patrimonio Foundation, an organisation dealing with conservation of vernacular architecture. She is also the director of Context Architecture Ltd. Her work experience includes project management, sustainable new built and architectural conservation projects. She is the representative of the Romanian Order of Architects to the Architects’ Council of Europe - Environment and Sustainable Architecture Work Group. Over the years she has coordinated various projects on the conservation of monuments from Romania.
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