Densification through transformation; a transformation of a former school into a sustainable mixed-use residential block

Abstract

In recent years, Sweden has experienced a significant housing shortage, driven by a growing population and a lack of affordable apartments. To address this, major cities are undergoing inward expansion within the relatively sparsely built Swedish cities, commonly referred to as urban densification. The purpose of this thesis is to design dense low-scale urban densification through the transformation of a former school, as opposed to demolition and new construction. The focus is on Tynneredsskolan, a school in western Gothenburg scheduled for demolition and replacement with residential buildings. This approach aligns with the current densification trends in western Gothenburg, where schools are often demolished and replaced with densely built residential areas. This practice is part of a larger wave of demolitions across the country, where fully functional buildings are demolished instead of being transformed. The aim is to create a healthy and sustainable residential project using research by design as a starting point and to understand the causes and consequences of urban densification on a neighborhood scale. Previous research suggests that profit-driven urban development may negatively impact well-being and indoor climate, resulting in issues such as inadequate natural daylight in apartments, compromised privacy, and low-quality outdoor common green spaces. The transformation proposal primarily focuses on adapting the residential layout to the existing structure, ensuring good daylight, and maintaining residents’ privacy. A comparison is made through an life-cycle analysis (LCA) between the transformed school and conventional multifamily buildings that have replaced former school sites. The proposal demonstrates how an already built, functionspecific structure with good architectural qualities can be transformed with positive results on multiple scales. The LCA shows that there are environmental gains to make by transforming the existing school instead of demolishing it, but it also comes with challenges. Another conclusion is that there needs to be a reevaluation of existing buildings currently deemed not valuable, as it is not sustainable to continue with the trend of unnecessary demolitions