Documenting to preserve

the role of documentation for research on architecture in Roraima

Abstract

This article addresses the fragility of preserving architectural and urban collections in the state of Roraima. The lack of a specific policy for these collections and the absence of systematic research on these memory sources contribute to the disregard for these important historical manifestations. The text discusses the relevance of architectural documentation both as archival documents and as a process of building production. In both cases, the memory of the built or non-built heritage is constantly erased. The importance of considering the non-visible dimension, which often remains hidden in documentary collections maintained precariously by public and private institutions, is highlighted. The objective of the text is to characterize the local situation regarding the preservation of architectural and urban documentary heritage, documenting the challenges in researching this topic in Roraima. The aim is to generate discussions and seek viable solutions for the maintenance, preservation, and research in this field of knowledge. The issue has brought together researchers and professionals interested in the subject, reflecting the need to find local solutions to prevent the transfer of collections to foreign institutions. Finally, the text emphasizes the effort to register and document the architectural collection based on the experience of the Laboratório de Práticas de Projeto e Pesquisa do Curso de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Federal de Roraima, Brazil, which faces challenges of accessibility to institutional collections and practical issues in the development of academic research.