Semiotics in architectural transformation: An exploration of the industrial culture in the Lindholmen region

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how the history and culture of Gothenburg are reflected in the city's development through the renovation of buildings around abandoned industrial facilities. The ruins protection strategy is formed by combining the design theory derived from urban exploration with semiotics. Through architectural renovation, urban industrial sites are reused on the basis of preserving industrial ruins. The site of this thesis is chosen near an old crane in Lindholmen. The architecture of the site is characterized by an unique industrial factory surrounding, with decayed building facades. And the purpose of the thesis is to study, in the context of abandoned industrial facilities, how to transform the site to concentrate on the city's history and culture and visualize its potential value. The structure of this thesis is from theory to practice. The theory of counter space provides a perspective on how to deal with ruins so that they may "regain their value." The site is a collection of ruins and industrial facilities. Due to the unique industrial environment and history of the site, the thesis will use semiotic theory to apply the industrial elements and shipbuilding history into the architecture. The outcome of the thesis is an architectural transformation of an existing building, where the design will be a collage/assemblage of deconstructed existing elements and added ones, connected to the surrounding. The result is a pragmatic function of a restaurant with the old industrial facilities, while showing the history and culture of Gothenburg.