Yesterday, BAUHALPS partners explored the rural heritage of Salzburg at the region’s largest museum dedicated to preserving buildings over 500 years old. We gained valuable insights into the importance of in-depth knowledge of materials, traditional craftsmanship, and proper maintenance. Sustainable construction is not just about durability—it is also about ensuring the functionality of buildings and adapting them to modern needs without compromising cultural heritage. Proper material handling and the preservation of traditional skills are essential for the long-term sustainability of architectural heritage.
This principle is also reflected in the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative, where sustainability stands alongside beauty and community building. The Salzburg Open-Air Museum (Salzburger Freilichtmuseum) embodies these values, not only by preserving architectural and artisanal traditions but also by strengthening the local community. It safeguards local practices, provides visitors with insight into traditional techniques, and promotes the transfer of knowledge to new generations. The museum hosts interactive workshops where visitors can engage, learn historic skills, and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. Through this approach, traditional knowledge is intentionally passed down, ensuring a sustainable future for local heritage and communities.
The Salzburg Open-Air Museum offers a unique experience with over 100 authentic historic buildings, carefully relocated and reconstructed on the museum grounds. Each of these structures tells a story of historical farming, craftsmanship, and traditional production methods. A visit to the museum is a journey through time, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Salzburg’s rural history spanning over six centuries.
Discover old farmhouses, admire the simple yet rich lifestyle of past generations, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the museum’s tavern. For an unforgettable experience, take a ride on the historic steam railway, which transports you through the museum’s picturesque 50-hectare landscape. Don’t miss the chance to experience history firsthand and explore Salzburg’s rich cultural heritage!
From Inspiration to Practical Application
The visit to the museum served as a powerful reminder that preserving and adapting cultural heritage requires a balance between tradition and innovation. Understanding how historic buildings have stood the test of time provides essential lessons for sustainable construction today.
With this in mind, we took a step further – from the theoretical design of the BAUHALPS model to concrete questions on how we can actually test and implement it in different environments. The discussion revolved around values, ambitions, and, most importantly, practical execution.
Key questions we are addressing:
– How can we test the model on real buildings?
– How do we ensure local specificities are considered?
– How can we integrate the concept of beauty into objective indicators?
Key insight from today’s discussion:
Beauty is one of the most challenging aspects to measure and incorporate into objective indicators. While sustainability and circularity can be quantified, beauty is subjective and deeply tied to the local context.
This raises an important question: Do we define beauty locally, globally, or as a combination of both? And how do we integrate it into the sustainable solutions we are developing?
By tackling these questions, we move closer to a holistic approach that respects tradition while embracing the future—ensuring that heritage conservation and modern innovation go hand in hand.
