Power to Renovation – A Question of Values
The documentary follows experts from across Europe as they explain why demolishing buildings wastes homes, jobs, energy, and history. The film shows the darker side of the real estate speculation, then reveals how renovation and transformation are real alternatives. At the same time it proposes a change of direction, where the value of the houses is not only a financial one.
“Power to Renovation” tells the story of HouseEurope!, a European Citizens’ Initiative with the clear goal to make renovation of existing buildings faster, cheaper and easier, and stop their demolition and reconstruction.
The screening is followed by discussions with architects Oana Iacob & Adriana Măgerușan.
Oana Iacob
Oana Iacob is an architect, founder of Cabinet, an architecture and design studio, and the “cu a mic” Association, which explores architecture as a public good. In the past, she also founded Republic of Architects. She has gained expertise in sustainability and built heritage, earning recognition through published and award-winning projects.
Since January 2024, she has supported the European Citizens’ Initiative HouseEurope! Renovation as a Priority, believing that preserving and adapting existing buildings brings more value to owners and communities than demolition and new construction.
Adriana Măgerușan
Adriana Măgerușan is an architect and lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Cluj-Napoca. Since 2015, she has been involved in Someș Delivery, a grassroots initiative aimed at reclaiming Cluj’s river through various actions, including advocacy, temporary architecture, activation events, design and construction workshops, idea competitions for temporary interventions, and citizen science. She has publicly advocated for the preservation and conversion of industrial heritage as a resource for a sustainable urban future.
- Director:
- Olaf Grawert
- Year:
- 2024
- Country:
- Switzerland
- Genre:
- —
- Duration:
- 37 minutes
- Language:
- —
- Subtitles:
- —
- Screening:
- Sunday, 6 April, ARTA Cinema
- Tickets