Classicism and modernity; progress through continuity

Abstract

This thesis investigates and handles questions regarding what can constitute as contemporary architecture, as well as how original intentions which over time have been left unrealized can be reimplemented and or reinterpreted in a contemporary context while simultaneously accommodating the current day needs of a prominent cultural institution. It does so in the context of the recently concluded competition for the extension and remodelling of the Gothenburg Museum of Art. The thesis begins by exploring the journey of the art museum from its inception as an idea in 1917 following the ARES consortium’s winning competition proposal in the competition that was held in the same year, how this proposal eventually wouldn’t come to be realized and its subsequent transformation into the museum we see today, and in turn how this came to affect the operations of the museum in the long term. The thesis also handles the question of continuity in the field of architecture, and in doing so, connects to an ongoing architectural discourse within contemporary Swedish society. The design which is then presented utilises the original competition proposal as a basis in terms of overall composition, while at the same time drawing inspiration from more general themes which can commonly be found in Swedish architecture from the 1920’s. The resulting extension is a proposal which doesn’t treat its historical context as something forever locked in place, preserved for all eternity not to be touched ever again, but which sees it as a living thing, just waiting to be developed further, with continuity as a guiding principle.