WORKING PLAN (2004-2006)

INTRODUCTION

Docomomo Chile recognizes modern architecture as one of the main currents of the XXth. Century cultural development, above all for its influence in the modifications introduced on the lifestyle of the modern society through the broad programs of public works, and the incorporation of concepts of habitability, hygenics, universal access to housing and services, and in the concrete actions taken in the rebuilding of cities and buildings destroyed by natural disasters, as the earthquake of Chillan in 1939. From its local origins, with the Oberpaur Building, built in 1929 (S. Larraín and J. Arteaga), considered the first modern building in Chile, modern architecture became a main part of the civilizing project of the modernity on this retired part of the world. The first interventions were related to urban and landscape renewal projects, reaffirming the theorical proposal of the Movement. The organization of a CIAM chapter in Chile in 1946 would close the local avant-garde period, giving way to a direct relation between modern architecture and the 'welfare state', reaching its highest point between the 50s and 60s, and when the Chilean experience would reach international recognition.

However, at a general level, modern architecture in Chile has had a variable valorization that goes between academic recognition and public unawareness.
Historic studies on modern architecture in Chile have had a growing development in recent years, but these haven't reached a point where they can conform an articulate and efective body of knowledge suitable to public consideration. Some works have gained recongition in last years as examples of a particular heritage, but concrete actions for its conservation have yet to be taken.

There exists a broad body of studies on and documentation of modern architecture in latinamerican countries as Brazil and Argentina, but that hasn't yet occured in Chile. There have been some publications and studies that have assumed the task in a specific and exhaustive way, but lack of information available has become a costume at the moment of undertaking a more detailed work.
One of the efects of this situation, but one that doesn't keep relation with the value of the modern architecture built in Chile, is the fact that there is presently only one building protected against demolition, being considered National Heritage by the Council of National Monuments: the Benedictine Convent and Church at Santiago, by G. Guarda and M. Correa, 1964.

Concrete actions are being taken more and more to promote the conservation of the modern heritage, and official instruments for its protection exist and are applicable, but there is no definite place in the context of cultural heritage for modern works.

A Chilean Working Party of DOCOMOMO pretends to constitute itself as a node for the study, research, action and diffusion, to present Chilean modern architecture as a central part of the XXth. Century culture of our country, and to promote its recognition in a national and international scope.

OBJECTIVES

The Chilean Working Party assumes as its main goal to change the present situation described above. To reach that end, it states certain specific objectives:

- To create a point of convergence for the academic and professional communities working on studies and projects related to modern architecure in Chile.

- To promote the interest of different professions on modern architecture, and encourage their incorporation to the Working Group.

- To promote academic research on modern architecture and conservation issues.

- To encourage the gathering of information and documentation about modern architecture, and the creation of documentation centers available to the general public.

- To create and develop a register of the modern heritage in Chile, according to international standards, to serve as base for contributions to the International Register of DOCOMOMO.

- To promote the public recognition and the conservation of modern architecture in Chile, and to seek official protection as National Heritage of some singular works.

- To promote research and specific projects related to conservation and restauration of endangered cases.

- To advice, from a technical point of view, public administration and private sector agencies on documentation, conservation, and diffusion of modern heritage.

ACTIONS

The Chilean Working Party draws four specific lines of action, that will give way to concrete objectives:

Research
As a first step to promote the valorization of modern architecture by the Chilean society, the WP will assume as a main issue to promote the research and study of this Movement at the academic centres, supporting research initiatives, and seeking new trends of research from the existing material developed at the Schools of Architecture throughout the country, supporting graduate thesis and papers, and organizing lectures and seminaries on an annual basis.

Register
A National Register will be created and maintained, identifying relevant cases of modern architecture, to be candidates to initiatives of research, study, conservation, protection or anything its precise condition requires. This register will serve as the source of the information sent to the International Register.
Additionally, there will be a work of catalogation, classification and diffusion over the important collections of bibliographical material, research archives and manuscripts donated to the different Schools of Architecture by relevant architects, as well as the investigation work done by students on research courses.

Conservation
The Chilean WP will develop conservation criteria, from a technical point of view, to help governmental, academic, and private agencies to lay the bases for restoration projects undertaken by architects and owners of valuable cases.

With that in mind, the ChWP will assume as a primal task to support actions taken to oppose the destruction or irresponsible intervention on modern cases, in a field until now filled only by sporadic voices without any strenght behind to support them.

Diffusion
There will be a diffusion program that will operate through:
- organization of meetings and assemblies to be held at modern buildings and sites selected from the National Register,
- creation and maintenance of a web site,
- organization of diffusion events for architects and the general public.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2004-2006

1. Organization of the Chilean Working Party of DOCOMOMO:
- To constitute DOCOMOMO_Chile as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO).
- To expand the founding group.
- To encourage the incorporation of professionals from other disciplines.
- To promote the creation of regional and sub-regional working groups.
- To constitute specialties comitees on register, technology, urban and landscape studies, education and theory, among others.
- To call a constitutive meeting, where different views on the present state of the modern architecture in Chile can be discussed.

2. Periodical activities:
- To promote the realization of bimonthly meetings related to the activities of the WP, to be held at exemplary buildings.
- To organize an annual seminar on the Modern Movement in Chile.
- To support the publication of papers presented to the WP.

3. Research
- To promote the gathering of original documents and archives on chilean modern architecture, and to put them at the reach of the common public.
- To create and maintain a comprehensive bibliography of publications, unedited works and research papers, to generate a centralized place where scholars, historians, and the general public can find the sources they need.
- To promote the development of research projects at an academic level.

4. MoMo Register
- To create an initial list of 100 works, sites, and groups of buildings subject to valorization and with the potential to be presented to official agencies for their preservation.
- To develope this register according to international standards.

5. Conservation
- To promote, in the course of the 2 year scope, the realization of two concrete projects of restoration, to test the real possibilities of actions in that area in Chile.
- To create and maintain a list of works to present to the Council of National Monuments, for their declaration as National Heritage.

6. Public Relations and Difussion
- To create and maintain a docomomo.cl web page.
- To develope extension programs at the schools of architecture, to propose guided visits at a turistic level.
- To distribute a printed newsletter and a mailing list through e-mail.
- To obtain support and recongition from governmental and official agencies related to the heritage protection.
- To publish our actions and to maintain a presence on the press, through events, letters to newspaper editors, articles, etc.