Projeto integrado de design: o papel do designer de produto na revitalização do patrimônio cultural (Centro Histórico de São Luís – MA)

Abstract

Historical centers are urban areas that represent the cultural identity of a given population and, also, of the people of that nation. Preserving the history of artifacts and physical constructions in a place is to maintain a heritage of inestimable value for future generations. However, when situations of deterioration of this cultural heritage occur, projects for its revitalization will necessarily be drawn up. Such attitudes avoid the loss of the material collection and the degradation of public spaces for its residents and tourists. Being the work of multidisciplinary urban revitalization, since it involves at least historians, anthropologists, engineers, architects and urban planners, it is creatively an interdisciplinary project activity, but with a prominent emphasis on Architecture and Urbanism. Product designers, in particular, form a distinct category of project that does not always participate in the cultural preservation of this historic heritage. In this thesis, we seek to highlight the importance of Product Design and Graphic Design, through urban furniture and urban signage, as fundamental work for the finalization of revitalization projects. It is the Product Design that will help in the approximation between passers-by and the renewed environment, through artifacts and information capable of offering well-being and quality of communication to those who frequent or work in historical sites. The main objective of this research is to present the potential of Product Design, through models for the design of signage and urban furniture, when integrated with the projects of revitalization of urban environments known as historic centers. The secondary objectives are: (i) to relate complementary activities to each other for the practice of design (Architecture, Urbanism, Industrial Design); (ii) demonstrate the relevance of product design and graphic design for environments, as strategic tools to bring people together, stimulate and invite them to visit historic sites and (iii) demonstrate the need for projects to revitalize cultural heritage, including the performance of Product Design professionals. The research methods used to compose the chapters of this work on Integrated Design Projects for Historical Centers consisted of: (a) Documentary research (sources / works) (cf., CERVO, BERVIN, SILVA, 6th ed., 2014); (b) Non-participant systematic observation (cf., MORAES; MONT 'ALVÃO, 4th ed., 2010); (c) Focused interview (cf., BAUER; GASKELL, 8th ed., 2010). For the development of the signaling system, an example of Product Design integrated with programs to revitalize national historic centers, the proposed method is that of D'Agostini and Gomes (2010), and D'Agostini (2017).