Intervention Criteria of the Modern Heritage of the University of Concepción Campus

Abstract

This article examines the intervention criteria applied to the modern architectural heritage of the University of Concepción campus, focusing on buildings constructed between 1930 and 1970. The main objective is to evaluate, based on previous experiences, how these interventions have respected or compromised the architectural and urban values of the campus. Since the 1970s, the university's accelerated growth has led to various modifications of its original infrastructure, some of which have been questioned for not adequately considering their heritage value. The designation of part of the campus as a Historic Monument in 2016 has encouraged the application of heritage rehabilitation principles in recent interventions. This research, with a qualitative and interpretative approach, analyzes cases that occurred between 1970 and 2024, including extensions, additions, and the most recent interventions carried out under conservation criteria. A categorization of interventions is proposed, based on their impact on architectural conservation and their coherence with the original architectural language of the buildings. The results show that it is possible to intervene in modern heritage without compromising its historical value, as long as criteria aimed at heritage rehabilitation are applied. The need to strengthen these practices is highlighted in order to ensure the long-term protection of modern heritage and its transmission to future generations.