Docomomo International Moves to Lisbon

Mission
In the last decades, the architectural heritage of the modern movement appeared more at risk than during any other period. This built inheritance glorifies the dynamic spirit of the Machine Age. At the end of the 1980s, many modern masterpieces had already been demolished or had changed beyond recognition. This was mainly due to the fact that many were not considered to be elements of heritage, that their original functions have substantially changed and that their technological innovations have not always endured long-term stresses.

Docomomo International’s missions are to:
– act as watchdog when important modern movement buildings anywhere are under threat;
– exchange ideas relating to conservation technology, history and education;
– foster interest in the ideas and heritage of the modern movement;
– elicit responsibility towards this recent architectural inheritance.

Since its creation, Docomomo International has experienced a rapid growth, establishing itself as a major player not only in the realm of conservation, but also in the broader field of architectural culture. The pluralist, interdisciplinary nature of Docomomo International, due to its ability to bring together historians, architects, town-planners, landscape architects, conservationists, teachers, students and public officials, has been a strong asset.

At present, Docomomo International includes 59 chapters and more than 2,300 members, in Europe, America, Asia, Oceania and Africa. In their variety of cultures and experiences, the chapters represent the true richness of Docomomo International.

History
Docomomo International is a non-profit organization initiated in 1988 by Hubert-Jan Henket, architect and professor, and Wessel de Jonge, architect and research fellow, at the School of Architecture at the Technical University in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

In 2002, the Docomomo International secretariat relocated to Paris and was hosted by the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine in the Palais de Chaillot. The chair and secretary general were Maristella Casciato, architect and architectural historian and Émilie d’Orgeix, architectural historian, respectively, with Anne-Laure Guillet being director.

In January 2010, the Docomomo International secretariat relocated to Barcelona, hosted by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. Currently Docomomo International is hosted in Lisbon, at Instituto Superior Tecnico - Lisbon University. The chair is Ana Tostões, architect (ESBAL, 1982), architecture historian (UNL, 1994), member of Docomomo Iberico, and associate professor with habilitation at the Civil Engineering and Architecture Department of the Instituto Superior Tecnico - Lisbon University. The General Secretary is Ivan Blasi, architect (ETSAB, 2002) and the Director is Zara Ferreira, architect (IST, 2012).

Docomomo International's new contacts:

Address: Instituto Superior Técnico
Av. Rovisco Pais 1 , 1049-001 Lisboa
Email: [email protected]
Links: Website / Facebook / LinkedIn
Phone: +351 21 8418101 / 02 / 03