History and memory neither exist outside of concrete things, nor outside architecture. But in view of the multi-cultural society this task becomes confusing. The aim to build in a manner which creates a sense of identity must be rethought in the context of peaceful coexistence in a multicultural Europe. Both the immigrants who have torn up their roots and the somewhat insecure natives should be able to test the way they see themselves as part of an open society. For this reason it is often difficult to find direct models in traditional building types.
Regional building represents only one of many possibilities.
The more settled the native culture is, the more foreign does the foreign seems. Too many references to history and tradition in the design of the present have the effect of excluding, especially when too little room for modifications and new definitions is left. In this way the actual degree of foreigness can increase. Regionalism must not be allowed to choke what is new or foreign. Today we need floor plans, apartment blocks, site plans and urban spaces which create space not only for the necessaty discovery of identity of the individual and of groups but also for their coexistence with other groups in the multicultural society.