102 Initiative
A comprehensive green revitalisation of traditional Idrija Miners’ Houses
BRIEFLY
102 Initiative proposes a decisive youth-led action toward cultural heritage-inspired, no-steel-no-concrete revitalisation of traditional Idrija Miners’ Houses in UNESCO World Heritage site in Idrija (Slovenia).
The initiative envisions prepare and design up to 20 renovation projects and to various degrees renovate, finance, maintain and operate traditional houses through public-private-people partnership in a sustainable and socially-just manner.
ANALYSIS
Typical for the town of Idrija, the Idrija Miners’ house is a unique architecture that reached the height of its popularity in the “century of the miners’ house” spanning from 1776 and 1876. In contrast to later miners’ apartments blocks, this type of multifamily building was privately owned by the workers: the first floor was occupied by the owner’s family while the upper floors were being rented. The majority of miners’ houses therefore housed up to 20 or more people at a time! Between the wars, their construction halted, and after 1945, people started to either transform them or bring them down. What are they facing in the 21st century: complete annihilation or a new life?
In 2018, 102 miners’ houses were recorded in Idrija. As they have been heavily modified, only 18 have retained more than five traditional characteristics. Only 8 of those are still inhabited. Today, a half of the 102 houses are empty. In a time when Idrija and its surroundings are facing a dire lack of apartments, this is a problem worth discussing.
As the biggest problem, the owners of Idrija miners’ houses point out humidity and warn about the typical difficulties that appear with ageing: the sagging of the house, wood damage, dilapidated roof and bad insulation. They also list several deficiencies: no bathroom and toilet in older houses, low ceilings, limited car access and small windows. Despite many shortcomings, the majority of the owners are extremely attached to their heritage — to the places, buildings and objects, as well as to family history connected to these houses. When planning a renovation, these emotions must definitely be considered: shortcomings must be remedied without the solution standing out and the renovation must retain any elements carrying messages and contact to the family- or town heritage.
PROPOSAL
102 Initiative proposes a decisive youth-led action toward cultural heritage-inspired, no-steel-no-concrete revitalisation of traditional Idrija Miners’ Houses in UNESCO World Heritage site in Idrija (Slovenia).
The initiative envisions prepare and design up to 20 renovation projects and to various degrees renovate, finance, maintain and operate traditional houses through public-private-people partnership in a sustainable and socially-just manner.
Long forgotten materials and techniques
Idrija Miners’ Houses were built predominantly between 1776 and 1876 by Idrija Mercury Mine miners themselves and thusly using locally-sourced and renewable materials: lime stone for foundations and cellar walls, wooden beams for walls, wooden shingles for roofing, wood for window casings and doors, slaked lime and reed mats for plastered facades …
In renovation, we will be prioritising traditional materials (wood, slaked lime) and traditional construction techniques (lime plaster, clay plaster, wood joinery, masonry, structural timber, reclaimed wood and clay plaster). Moreover, through workshops, traineeships and hosting of guest traditional builder, we aim to re-introduce, popularise and share the traditional building materials and techniques.
NSNC – No Steel, No Concrete
We are dedicated to minimise the use of steel and concrete in renovation and construction works and incorporate renewable construction materials (structural timber, reclaimed wood, eco-friendly bonding agents …)
Area neutrality
For centuries, Idrija’s growth was limited by the geography and thusly newer exceeded 6000 people. The initiative aims at achieving area neutrality which is – in a narrow basin such as Idrija – both an environmentally-friendly solution, urbanistic smart choice and a strategic necessity. Urban densification will also considerably contribute to strengthened spatial identity and cultural landscape of Idrija basin.
Architecture without architects
Clean lines, utilitarian postures, symmetric façade, two-colour palette, lime plaster-covered wooden structure, monumental outlook, hidden extensions, and green setting of Idrija Miners’ Houses demonstrate how architecture without architects can be both timeless, artistic and aesthetically appealing. We wish to learn from the non-pedigreed builders to build for the 21st Century.
Youth-led development
The initiative is developed within Idrija 2020 Association (association for youth development) and ID20 Institute (NGO subsidiary of Idrija 2020) that unite young (25 – 35 y.o.) professionals from Idrija and have implemented several award-winning projects for youngsters and young people on the topic of cultural heritage (e.g. business incubator HeritageLab (winner of European Social Innovation Competition 2018 by European Commission), hackathon HeritageHack (awarded European Heritage Days Stories 2019 by the Council of Europe and European Commission)).
We envision to involve up to 100 young people in the initiative – through on-site workshops, trainings and lectures on traditional construction, sustainable architecture and design, social innovation and cultural heritage development.
Tausendkünstler (taužtnkunslerji)
Our initiative seeks inspiration and relies its implementation on inclusion and close collaboration with “Tausendkünstler-s”. The german word Tausendkünstler (in dialect adapted to “taunžtkunstler”) can be translated as the “artist with thousand skills” – local older inhabitants that have (through their broad range of jobs and self-initiative) come to master a diverse range of skills, from traditional construction to wood working, engineering and craft.
We envision to involve (and fairly pay) 10 Tausendkünsler-s that will teach-through-practice their skills and approaches to younger generations of renovators. In this two-way process, Tausendkünstlers (often retired, poor or unemployed and facing loneliness and social exclusion) will be recognised for their abilities as practitioners and life experiences – in a setting, where their socioeconomic status and unforgiving life will be put aside.
(Social) business sound
The team behind the initiative has been working at the crossroad of cultural heritage, entrepreneurship, youth policies and social innovation for several years. Thusly, the team has put all the best ideas and proven approaches into 102 Initiative to develop a sound proposal – both business-wise and social-wise.
Citizen science
102 Initiative is not solely a brick-and-mortar renovation project – it is a community project that started with broad action research of housing heritage. Through field research, interviews with owners, public meetings and discussions, 102 Initiative encourages inhabitants to contribute and participate in the understanding the current status and potential ways forward. The initiative involves a diverse range of stakeholders, young people and Tausendkünstlers that are all engaged not as “consumers/users”, but active collaborators.
STEAM approach
ID20 has been adopting STEAM (science-technology-engineering-art-mathematics) approach to education and organising photography, engineering, chemistry and physics, as well as art workshops at annual “culture day” at Idrija Grammar School (15 – 19 y.o.). Within 102 Initiative, the classes will be moved on-site – to the building site.
Catalogue on how to renovate an Idrija Miners’ House
In 2018, ProstoRož and Idrija 2020 have published a first ever catalogue on techniques and approaches toward renovating Idrija Miners’ Houses.
TIMELINE
Main steps of the initiative are:
1. PREPARATION
1.1 Ethnographic, architectural and urbanistic research on Idrija Miners’ Houses
Has already been implemented in 2018 and 2019.
1.2 Inventory of houses
Has already been implemented in 2018.
2. PLANNING
2.1 Identification of revitalisation investment opportunities
To be implemented in 2021.
2.2 Acquisition of selected buildings to a joint fund and/or joint-venture agreements with owners
To be implemented in 2021 and 2022.
2.3 Preparation of Business Proposal(s)
To be implemented in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2.4 Preparation of architectural projects and application for building permit
To be implemented from 2021 to 2028.
3. COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH
3.1 Networking with owners through public events and architectural advice
Has already been implemented in 2019 and 2020
3.2 Search for investors – networking, pitching, one-on-one meetings, marketing and promotion
To be implemented from 2021 to 2030.
3.3 Communication
Continuously.
4. RE-CONSTRUCTION
4.1 First re-construction
To be implemented in 2023
4.2 Up to 20 projects
To be implemented in 2035.
5. TRAINING AND EDUCATION
5.1 STEAM workshops for children, pupils, students and local residents
Annual programme.
ABOUT ID20
ID20 takes the processes in heritage innovation one step further!
ID20 was established with a vision to transform heritage from a thing of the past to a matter of future. Based in Idrija, Slovenia, a former world’s second-largest mercury mine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the intertwinement of heritage and innovation created the perfect environment for innovation in business, service and creativity sectors.
01. We are professional.
Our team includes highly skilled and experienced young professionals that make things happen in the fields of architecture, business development, design and heritage innovation.
02. We get personal.
We conduct a highly personalized, result-oriented approach to project management that guarantees high quality outcomes.
03. We collaborate.
We aim to build inclusive networks of professionals and entrepreneurs that undertake a collaborative way to achieve the best results.
04. We never give up.
We engage with ambitious ideas of our partners and fully commit to their successful realization.
