A university for the city; an exploration of how a contemporary city university building can be formed as a continuation of the urban fabric of Gothenburg

Abstract

In 2020, a development study was published for the University of Gothenburg, highlighting the need for additional educational spaces in the city centre. Rosenlundsplatsen was identified as a site with significant development potential. Situated within the historical city center along the canal, the area is of national interest for cultural heritage preservation. Contemporary architecture within historic urban environments faces the challenge of responding to the demands of societal change and growth while respecting and preserving this heritage. One way to deal with this topic is to create architecture that engages in a dialogue with the existing city, and through that contributes to an architectural continuity. At the same time, the architecture we build must respond to our needs of today and be able to stand for a long time to come. This is particularly important for university buildings, since they need to balance the rapidly evolving activity at the forefront of scientific research. By creating robust architecture, we create environments that remain relevant even when conditions change. The thesis aims to explore how a building can be materialized at Rosenlund, reflecting upon the meaning of architectural robustness, with particular attention to the construction and architectural expression of a contemporary city university. The purpose is to explore how a university building can be formed as a continuation of the urban fabric of Gothenburg, with a focus to form a contemporary aesthetic that is in dialogue with the context. The thesis is developed through a research-by-design method, combining theoretical inquiry and practical exploration. The theoretical part consists of literature regarding architectural continuity, robustness and the contemporary university in the city. The practical part was formed from a study of contemporary architecture in historic contexts and site analysis. The proposal was developed through an iterative process involving sketches, physical models, detailed drawings and digital modelling. The proposal strives for architectural robustness, with a building that is in a dialogue with its context, contributing to enrich the urban environment. A university building that is formed as a continuation of the urban fabric of Gothenburg.