ABSTRACT
In heritage conservation, the notion of authenticity is generally used as an evaluation criterion. However, being directed towards mainly historical values, authenticity as a concept fails to address the quality of the contemporary intervention. Genius loci, or spirit of place, seems a richer concept to evaluate not only the conservative approach to the existing but also the new intervention. In this chapter, we first describe the concept of authenticity and its use in contemporary conservation policy and practice. Next, we present a literature study on the meaning and use of genius loci within different disciplines: landscape, poetry and literature, architecture, and conservation. To conclude, we present how genius loci might enhance adaptive reuse practice.
