Hacia El Pasado
Leah Slava
This project’s purpose is to create an awareness of our architectural heritage — specifically the modern architecture of the twentieth century found in the Dominican Republic. While these buildings belong to our cultural landscape, right now they are in a state of deterioration and at risk of disappearing forever.
This neglect is not uncommon in developing countries—the public believes that it is not worth keeping these buildings since they often don’t support current functional needs and seem impractical to adapt and maintain. Also, education regarding their cultural value is negligible — many people do not understand the historical contribution these buildings make to the landscape of the city.
To respond to this need, I have created a book that combines historical and contemporary documentation of these important buildings alongside paper models that can be constructed when removed from the book. The vulnerability of the fragile paper models in some ways parallels the risk posed to the actual buildings. Alongside the book, I designed an exhibition and a tour of the buildings, where the public will be able to visit and learn about the six identified buildings on site. In both ways, the audience will have the opportunity to educate themselves while also interacting with the buildings themselves, sparking curiosity, and raising awareness of these vanishing artifacts.