Pierre-François TOULZE
In this paper, the first step will be to carry out an overview of the properties relating to 20th century architecture inscribed on the World Heritage List (WHL), as well as properties linked to a single architect, on the WHL or on the Tentative Lists (Gropius1, Le Corbusier2, Perret, Gaudi, Horta, Rietveld, Plečnik, Luis Barragán, Aalto, Van de Velde, Ödön Lechner, etc.). For these types of properties, we will mention a number of highlights relating to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), including the criteria for inscription, the justification of the components of the serial nomination, comparative analysis or possible extension3. It should be remembered that, for each of these properties, the Outstanding Universal Value is inseparable from the personality of each of their creators, but also cannot be understood without taking into account their respective cultural worlds and the influence that the works had.
Then, after briefly presenting the notion of serial property, we will show its evolution in World Heritage “jurisprudence” and in the history of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, and in particular the recent development of transnational serial nominations for both natural and cultural properties.
We will then present how the figure of Erich Mendelsohn is evoked in the files of properties already registered on the WHL (e.g. The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright (USA), Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau, and Fagus Factory in Alfeld (Germany)).
On the basis of all these elements, the last part of the paper will be an opportunity for the author, who has not been involved in a transnational serial nomination about modern architecture, to propose some reaserch avenues in the context of a transnational serial nomination.
Note : This communication is not proposed by an architect or an art historian but by an independant consultant specialised in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
Pierre-François TOULZE is independent consultant since 2014, he is specialised in cultural heritage, in particular in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the elaboration of nomination files for the World Heritage List or management plans for properties already inscribed. He works closely with other international experts who are experienced in the evaluation of World Heritage candidate properties.
Pierre-François TOULZE is also a member of ICOMOS France (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and of the International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC), the international scientific committee of ICOMOS on cultural tourism. He is also a member of the evaluation panel of the World Monuments Watch programme of the American foundation World Monuments Fund and participates in the evaluation process of World Heritage candidate properties.
1. Walter Gropuis (1883-1969) is directly linked to three different properties on the WHL : Berlin Modernism Housing Estates, Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau, and Fagus Factory in Alfeld. 2. First transnational file involving seven countries and three continents: Europe, Asia and America. 3. For example, it is the case for The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright : ICOMOS then the World Heritage Committee encourage the State Party to proceed to the extension of the series in the future, when the conditions for the additional components are established (Decision : 43 COM 8B.38)