Re framing the disregarded; developing tools of adaptive reuse to re-value the 60s built environment threatened with demolition

Abstract

With the notion of adaptive reuse as a point of departure, the Master Thesis relates to the urban environment that is today undervalued in both the professional and public eye, aiming to broaden the idea of historic heritage. Thus, the purpose of the thesis is to question the notion of ideals, style, and aesthetic values, since these are not static concepts but rather ideas that are constantly changing. Concerning this, the thesis aims to explore qualities that go beyond style or qualities that can be found despite aesthetics not being valued in the present time. The focus point of the thesis is to ask, and other possible answers to the question: How can we re-value and work with the building stock that is now disregarded? As an attempt to explore this question, a toolbox of possible adaptive reuse methods has been evolved from a theoretical exploration, also relating to the restoration and preservation movements. The toolbox consists of Acts, aiming to respond to a new program, as well as Strategies instead focusing on the relationship between the existing and the alteration from an aesthetic point of view. As a way to contextualise and concretise the toolbox, explorations have been conducted on isolated focus points in Tynnered where the current development plans of the area have acted as a starting point. With the explorations, the thesis strives to showcase how the toolbox can function as a support in adjusting, as well as highlighting the qualities of the built environment dating back from the 60's, now at risk of demolition. Hence, the thesis can be seen as a way of finding methods to re-value and secure the existence of the urban fabric that is today rather demolished and replaced than restored and adapted. In that sense, the thesis should be viewed as a method-making and exploration rather than as a design proposal