Balancing heritage and innovation; adaptive reuse as a process of architectural continuity

Abstract

Preserving cultural and architectural heritage requires careful observation and thoughtful strategies to ensure its continuity and relevance for future use. A careful negotiation between heritage and innovation becomes necessary to translate tangible and intangible elements from the past into the future. This thesis explored the possibilities of adaptive reuse as a strategy of transforming historic industrial buildings into future oriented projects. The Lyckholms Brewery in Gothenburg was used as a case study to investigate how contemporary interventions influence the balance between old and new. The research incorporated different theoretical frameworks, such as Genius Loci, Aemulatio, industrial heritage, and other adaptive reuse approaches like architectural, programmatic, or interior approaches to apply as design methods. Through a comprehensive inventory, analysis, and an iterative design loop, the thesis developed into a proposal for a mixed-use cultural house with residential functions. Special attention was given to the significance of feasibility as an essential design factor in both academic and real-world contexts. The resulting design project showcased how transformation could act as a form of preservation, working towards a spatial and cultural revitalisation that not only preserved the past but also activated it for the present and future. The design project is represented in the form of drawings, images and models to showcase the impact of the transformation. The thesis concluded that adaptive reuse is not a compromise between old and new, but a strategy for architectural continuity, preserving identity while integrating innovative design solutions