Question

Difficulty: MediumPerspective of Mentioned Groups

Read the following passage.

In recent years, the movement to preserve Brutalist architecture—mid-twentieth-century concrete structures often derided as austere and imposing—has gained momentum. "Functionalist" preservationists argue that these buildings should be saved primarily because of their embodied energy and structural durability, asserting that adapting these robust frameworks for modern use is an ecological imperative. In contrast, "Aesthetic Revisionists" advocate for preservation on the grounds that Brutalism represents a pinnacle of uncompromising civic expression, one that honestly reflects the post-war socio-political landscape. While the Aesthetic Revisionists champion the strict retention of original, raw concrete facades to maintain historical authenticity, the Functionalists are largely indifferent to exterior cosmetic modifications, provided the core structural shell is retained and optimized for energy efficiency.

Based on the passage, the "Functionalist" preservationists would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements regarding a proposed renovation of a Brutalist civic center?

  1. A
    Preserving the uncompromising civic expression of the post-war era is the most important factor in the renovation project.
  2. B
    The civic center should be preserved precisely because its austere and imposing facade serves as a testament to historical architectural trends.
  3. The original raw concrete exterior should be altered if doing so significantly improves the building's overall energy efficiency.Answer
  4. D
    Every Brutalist structure ever built should be retained and retrofitted regardless of the structural condition of its core shell.
  5. E
    The ecological benefits of adaptive reuse will always be recognized by the public once the renovation is complete.

Answer

The original raw concrete exterior should be altered if doing so significantly improves the building's overall energy efficiency.
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the Functionalists' priorities as outlined in the text. The passage explicitly notes that this group believes adapting Brutalist buildings is an 'ecological imperative' and that they are 'indifferent to exterior cosmetic modifications, provided the core structural shell is retained and optimized for energy efficiency.' Therefore, they would logically support altering the original raw concrete facade if it leads to significant energy efficiency improvements.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target group and locate their views in the text.
The target group is the 'Functionalist' preservationists. Their views are found in the second and fourth sentences.
Answering viewpoint questions requires anchoring the analysis directly to the text describing that specific group.
2
Synthesize the core priorities of the target group.
Functionalists prioritize ecological imperatives, embodied energy, and structural durability. They are explicitly indifferent to exterior facade modifications as long as the building is made energy efficient.
Understanding the foundational logic of the group allows for accurate predictions of what they would agree with in a hypothetical scenario.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against the synthesized priorities.
The correct statement must prioritize energy efficiency over aesthetic preservation. The statement advocating for altering the exterior to improve energy efficiency is a direct match.
Eliminating choices that attribute the opposing group's views or overstate the target group's claims ensures the selection is fully supported by the passage.

Key Concept

Perspective of Mentioned Groups
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