Framing Varberg Reinterpreting urban development through place identity
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Carlsson, Angelika
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This thesis investigates how urban development can be
reinterpreted through place identity and genius loci, with
a specific focus on the local context of Varberg and the
transformation of the harbour.
Varberg municipality is growing because of its attractive
geographical location along the Swedish west-coast
and assets like closeness to the ocean, bath culture
and the small-town feeling. To encounter the population
growth the municipally initiated development project
Västerport will extend the town to the water and make
the private harbour an urban place. It is significant that
the place identity of the site is protected, as a risk is that
a place in transformation loses its connection to its past
and memory to instead become a blank slate where a
waterfront polished area can be built.
The aim of this thesis is to explore the local identity
of the harbour and Varberg to form a suggestion for
a transformation that includes the sense of place
in its future vision. By bringing up the discourse on
universalized architecture and place identity this thesis
links the investigation of a local context to contemporary
architecture, as well as the synergies between the
architectural field and who we design buildings for.
Through a study of the past, present and future of
Varberg genius loci perspectives guide the methodology
of place analysis and the design exploration. By iterative
processes the theory, design and place investigation
has been ongoing simultaneously to let the research of
all parts inform each other. Through the interpretation
of the harbour and Varberg’s identities, the process has
merged the qualities found and used it for transmitting
the sense of place, without copy-pasting and
romanticising the past.
The thesis results in both a genius loci analysis of
Varberg and a design proposal of an urban masterplan
of Västerport phase 2. To give a depth in the different
dimensions of place the design of the street, volumetric
form, urban spaces and building’s exterior have been
explored and presented.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
place identity, genius loci, Varberg, urban transformation