A landscape architectural design approach: The restoration of the Angel Tower and the Cloister of the Cathedral of Cuenca

Abstract

This article aims to show the recent evolution of concepts such as Cultural Heritage, by offering a survey of the architectural restoration project methodology of the Cuenca Cathedral. The Charters of Athens, from1931 and 1933, –the bases of modernity– converge today after almost a century of leading separate paths: land planning and cultural interpretation, space and time recuperate a meeting point, which should have never been lost. The article basically assesses the potential contemporary projects on heritage constructions can offer when studied as a landscape journey. In order to certify the transformations from the present context, the singular monument of Cuenca Cathedral is taken as a model. Its stone materiality provides a memory of secular morphology and clear technical and social wealth. This model unfolds as a dialogue between Theory and Practice reflected on its conservation works. After thirty years of restoration experience on the building performed by the authors, the two last interventions are thoroughly commented in this article revealing a new strategy in the architectural project performance.