Care for Continuity : The Case of Riga Circus Building

Abstract: The presented research focuses on sociocultural ability to sustain the built heritage as a dynamic living place. A human habitat is defined as a genius loci site - manifesting intangible qualities of a material site, perceived both psychically and spiritually. From this perspective, the heritage conservation doctrine often does not correspond to spiritual qualities of genius loci ‘living’ sites. From the theoretical perspective the author defines the preservation of genius loci sites as a care for continuity. To sustain the continuity and to provide day-to-day life happening in the building, the main objective is the inside perspective of the dweller or doer, as through the commitment of human interaction the spirit of place brings the environment to a life. The case of Riga Circus Building, seen as a genius loci site, is accordingly sustained as a care for continuity. In order to provide for local communities to continue inhabiting the building, while maintaining the spirit of place, the author outlines several design principles. The research and its application into a real genius loci site resulted in four basic conclusions. First, that - genius loci sites can not be recreated deliberately, because they are ‘accident’, and not inventions. Second, as those sites are not creations, they are not able to accept radical changes, while minor ones are tolerable. Third, that the present conservation policy is, perhaps, able to protect the genius loci sites against threats, however, often it neither aims in maintaining continuity, nor is able for a comprehensive engagement in general domains of human interactions. Forth, the best possible way to preserve genius loci site, as such - Riga Circus Building, is to assure its continuity.