Reimagining space; transforming a rural farmhouse into a multi residential housing solution in Sweden

Abstract

The supply of housing in the countryside of Sweden today is rather limited, with most dwellings being large villas or farmhouses. While many people of the Swedish population have stated they wish to live in the countryside, most of them don’t for various reasons, one of them being the lack of alternatives. At the same time, many farmhouses in the countryside are today not being used to its full potential, or at all. Through literature studies, case studies, and research by design, this thesis explores how traditional Swedish farmhouses in the south, “skånelängor”, can be transformed into multi-residential communities by redistributing the space within. This transformation is attempted while also preserving the architectural heritage, as this type of dwelling constitutes the foundation of the cultural landscape in the region. This new type of living situation will be created by answering the research question: How can the transformation of large farmhouses in rural Sweden contribute to sustainable development by creating multi-residential communities, while preserving the cultural heritage of these buildings? The design project of this thesis is situated in the outskirts of Vellinge, in the south of Sweden. The site is characterised by the typical farmhouse of this region, with a rich cultural and architectural heritage. It is surrounded by acres of agricultural fields, with a view of the Öresund Bridge. By developing a housing situation which involves sharing the space of an existing farmhouse, it is possible to maximise the usage of this space. The usage of this building provides an alternative way of living in rural areas, as well as the opportunity for the younger generation to move to the countryside, while also repurposing and extending the life of existing buildings. The thesis is finalised with a design project, showing a possible solution for a multiresidential community within a farmhouse, meeting several sustainable developments and a design approach to preserve the heritage.