: Introduction There are several ways of conceiving heritage conservation. For the purpose of this paper, we need to start from the premise that what we call “heritage” is a dynamic, evolving reality, and that a historic district such as “Old Québec” can undergo structuring transformations rooted in a process of heritage conservation. In Old Québec, the process of conservation —also referred to “patrimonialization”—has not received the attention it deserves. This paper aims to shed light on the process of functional requalification has undergone by Old Québec since the 1950s, within the broader context of its transformation into a historic district. It is based on discourse analysis (Berthold, 2013), supported by a diversifie body of documentation, including primary sources, such as archival documents, press reviews, geospatial and land-use data, and official reports. It is complemented by a body of scholarly literature devoted to Old Québec since the 1970s. First, we explain the sociohistorical process that l[...]
: A block of three buildings in Lyon Confluence Hikari is a mixed-use complex located in Lyon (Confluence district), designed by Kengo Kuma between 2012 and 2015. Covering approximately 12,800 m² across three interconnected buildings, it brings together housing, offices, and retail spaces. It is recognized as the first positive energy urban block in Europe, meaning it produces more energy than it consumes for electricity, heating, and cooling. The buildings are designed to act as active energy producers. Climate-friendly energy The project relies on a combination of climate-friendly energy systems. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roofs and façades, while solar glass façades generate electricity and regulate daylight. Energy production is further supported by combined heat and power systems using rapeseed oil, geothermal energy, and cooling drawn from the Saône River. This hybrid approach integrates multiple renewable sources. Energy efficiency through passive design Energy efficiency is also achieved [...]