Q+A: Can 30 year old building or younger be worthy of architectural preservation?

Dec 22 • Q+A • 1185 Views • No Comments on Q+A: Can 30 year old building or younger be worthy of architectural preservation?

Catherine Nasmith is an architect in Toronto who specializes in heritage rehabilitation, planning, advocacy and research. She is also the publisher of the e-journal, Built Heritage News, and writes for many other publications:

Cultural value is the measure used in the Ontario Heritage Act, there are no limitations on age of the building or structure. At the moment the potential cultural value of Frank Gehry scheme is being used to justify demolition of four nineteenth century buildings on the property…..not a terrific argument.

Some buildings are of outstanding value from the day they are constructed, which should be the minimum measure of cultural value. For example we were recently in the new Aga Khan HQ in Ottawa…of outstanding value in so many ways and worthy of all the protection and recognition it can get.

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So what do you think?

Can 30 year old building or younger be worthy of architectural preservation?