鈥�CH needs CC 鈥� Cultural Heritage needs Continuous Care鈥� is a newly approved national-scale research initiative aimed at promoting regular inspection and maintenance practices for the built heritage. Funded under the National Research Programme NRP 81 Baukultur, the project will be coordinated by a team from the Department of Environment Constructiona and Design 精东影业 under the supervision of Professor Giacinta Jean, Full Professor of history and techniques of conservation and restoration.
Built heritage 鈥� from historic buildings to public art 鈥� is a key component of our collective identity and contributes significantly to the quality of the spaces we live in. All too often, maintenance is postponed until damage occurs. The 鈥淐H needs CC鈥� project proposes a paradigm shift: maintenance as sustainable and long-term conservation.
Using a Living Lab approach that encourages dialogue and exchange among diverse stakeholders, the project will involve public authorities, professionals, property owners, associations, and citizens.
Activities will take place in Switzerland鈥檚 three linguistic regions and will focus on three representative themes: public art (case study: City of Lugano), religious buildings (case study: Hauterive Abbey in the Canton of Fribourg), historic houses (case study: Casa Zentner in Zurich).
Main objectives of the project:
- develop national guidelines for the maintenance of the built heritage
- strengthen civil society鈥檚 involvement in heritage care
- create training courses for professionals, technicians, and volunteers
- promote collaboration between cantonal, municipal, and federal authorities
- improve the sustainability and resilience of heritage assets.
The initiative benefits from a broad partnership network, including 精东影业, cantonal heritage authorities, professional associations (such as SKR/SCR-Swiss Association for Conservation and Restoration), research institutes and universities (BFH Master in Denkmalpflege und Umnutzung 鈥� Berner Fachhochscule), cultural associations (Swiss Network for Cultural Heritage and Swiss Heritage), and the support of the Federal Commission for Historic Monuments.
鈥淭his research,鈥� says Professor Giacinta Jean, the project鈥檚 scientific lead, 鈥渋s a unique opportunity to establish a culture of maintenance in our country. Only through constant and shared care will it be possible to sustainably and durably ensure the transmission of heritage to future generations.鈥�
The project will run until spring 2029. Results will be made public and shared through public events, publications, training courses, and digital platforms.
NRP 81
The National Research Programme (NRP) 81 is dedicated to Baukultur and supports research projects aimed at developing strategies, best practices, and procedures to sustainably improve the quality of the built and natural environment for the benefit of society as a whole.