The Future of Mediterranean Architecture

Abstract

Haven’t we the obligation to preserve and pass on the cultural memory which is conveying intangible sense and values that are so indispensable to every living society? Is not there any alternative for conserving our architectural heritage expressing shared universal values? On such point of view, the earthen architecture should not be essential to this protection and passing on of our inherited cultural, bio and techno-diversity? So, it should be upon the indisociable triptych “conservation-sustainable development-modernity” that could raise a “vision” for a recreated future of the earthen architecture useful for the coming out of more viable societies generating new specific as diverse equilibriums between “men”, their environment and their culture. We have to take better knowledge and more understanding of this “building intelligence” and go on updating, enriching our cultural legacy by a more appropriate use of our potentials. But, in the same time, we have to be careful to not be frozen in an “illusion of the permanency”. Based on such observations, the conservation, the development and the enriching of the earthen architecture heritage, are a decisive contribution for tomorrow. In the Albanian case, this is a possibility of opening a new path to a “post-development” period, which could not be based only in money profits, it is the moment to turn our interest to our inherited architectonic values, as Albania and as part of the Mediterranean Architecture; to update inherited building traditions, rich in material and in psychological characteristics. It should be clear that these architectures are built not with bricks or stones, but with relations of affect, passion and reciprocity.