Architecture beyond permanence. Temporariness in 21st century urban architecture

Resumen

Architecture has always had an obsession with time. Architects from different places and generations have struggled to make buildings able to last for decades, or even centuries. Permanence, or the ability to defy time, has traditionally been considered the most desirable architectural quality. Although, throughout history, temporary interventions have constantly played a key role in defining urban spaces, architects have generally regarded them as a minority practice not deserving much attention. Things have changed in recent years. Increasingly, architects understand temporariness as a potential answer to some of the most pressing problems of contemporary cities. Being adaptive and quick to build, temporary interventions can help architecture bring life back to vacant lots; or provide vitality and dynamism to the most distinct urban spots; or restore a sense of home and urbanity in post disaster camps. In 21st century architecture, temporary buildings have a special place, both for their intrinsic flexibility and for the formal / spatial possibilities, they offer to architects: due to their very characteristics, temporary buildings are often pure space, free from the constraints of function and time fighting. The paper aims to analyze strategies and objectives of temporary interventions in the context of 21st century urban architecture, through case studies from the last two decades