Every two years, DOCOMOMO holds an International Conference for the Working Parties and their members. The conference serves as an opportunity to inquire into a theme that touches upon an important aspect of the Modern Movement. The conference is also a platform where specialists from all over the world can meet, exchange knowledge and make contacts.
 

2008 Conference

10th International Conference: The Challenge of Change, Dealing with the Legacy of the Modern Movement

17-19 September 2008

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

www.docomomo2008.nl

The Dutch chapter of Docomomo is honoured to host the 10th International Docomomo Conference with the general theme ‘The Challenge of Change’. The 2008 edition will mark the 20th anniversary of DOCOMOMO.  The venue will be the Van Nelle factory in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This renowned Modern Movement icon will accommodate the conference programme of Parallel Paper and Case Study Presentations, Round-table Sessions, the 2nd edition of the International Docomomo Student Workshop and public evening lectures by distinguished invited speakers. Docomomo NL is pleased to announce that Herman Hertzberger and Barry Bergdoll have confirmed as keynote speakers.  Pre- and postconference tours to Dutch MoMo buildings and other landmarks of Dutch architecture will also be part of the conference programme. 

The Challenge of Change, Dealing with the Legacy of the Modern Movement: Theme Introduction

The legacy of the Modern Movement has gained legendary status, largely as a result of the appreciation of the masterworks and the visionary architectural concepts.  In the reality of everyday life, however, it has been difficult to maintain the architectural creations of the Modern Movement in such a way that they still reflect the original intentions of their designers.  Many buildings and ensembles of the Modern Movement have already been saved; the icons amongst these have even become so precious that they are treated like pieces of art rather than as buildings in everyday use.  but despite the successes that have been achieved, many buildings and ensembles are still at risk of demoltion or maltreatment.  The bi-annual international conference is one means by which it is possible to continue furthering the aims of Docomomo.  Knowing that many modern architects aimed at functionality and changeability, the challenge for today is how to deal with the modern heritage in relation to its continuously changing context, including physical, econonmic and functional changes, as well as socio-cultural, political and scientific ones.  It is with this in mind that conservation in general, and the conservation of modern architecture in particular, has become a new challenge.  Rather than attempting to return a modern building to its presumed original state, our challenge is to revalue the essence of the manifold manifestations of modern architecture and redefine its meanings in our changing world of digital revolution, worldwide mobility and environmental awareness.

Prior conferences:

1990 Einhoven
1992 Dessau
1994 Barcelona
1996 Bratislava
1998 Stockholm
2000 Brasilia
2002 Paris, France
2004 New York City, USA

2004 Conference: "International Postwar Modernism and the Conjunction of Preservation and Design"

DOCOMOMO US hosted the VIIIth International Conference, held in 2004 in New York City at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. The theme focused not only on the preservation of modern architecture that became an international phenomenon after World War II, but also sought to explain and enhance its meaning for contemporary architects during that period.