UPPFATTNINGAR OM FÖNSTER OCH FÖNSTERBYTEN Särskilt om skillnader och likheter mellan lekmän och experter
Perception of windows and window retrofits. Particularly about differences and similarities between laypeople and experts
Abstract
This study describes and analyses how laypeople and the experts within the antiquarian field perceive
and experience windows and window retrofits on historical buildings. One purpose is to compare if the
two groups hold different views regarding window retrofits. Furthermore, the study analyses the
different and corresponding discourses held by the two groups regarding how they perceive windows
and window retrofits. The issue of how and if laypeople and experts within the antiquarian field hold
different or corresponding views was made relevant to examine as a consequence of a judgment from
the Land and Environment Court of Appeal. The judgment stated that a window retrofit should be
judged by how visible the change is for laypeople, implying that laypeople has less tendency to
perceive differences between two windows than experts. It is stressed in the field of conservation of
the bult heritage that laypeople’s opinions and views on cultural heritage should be taken into
consideration. This is because contemporary theory of conservation becomes relevant and valuable
when people ascribe value to heritage objects. Laypeople’s opinions are however seldomly heard, nor
do they represent the views of all the people concerned. This study confirmed that the authorized
heritage discourse and the traditional views of experts and people with higher education is hard to
broaden with alternative views and a representative group of the population. However, the study
showed that laypeople hold the same views as experts regarding windows and window retrofits, they
acknowledge the same differences, they talk about the same characteristics nearly in the exact extent,
use the same jargon and they all consider window retrofits on historical buildings as non-acceptable.
The study makes it clear that laypeople have a voice, they are interested and engaged in matters
regarding our heritage, and they possess profound knowledge. Laypeople also show significant
emotional value assessments with emphasis on negative feelings towards window retrofits in general.
Regarding to the judgment from the Land and Environment Court of Appeal it is evident that the
statement about laypeople’s tendency to perceive less differences when retrofits of windows are
performed than experts, is for this investigated group incorrect. To achieve a broader generalisation
from the results of this study, more research into a broader group of laypeople’s opinions and views of
window retrofits needs to be performed.
Degree
Student essay
Other description
Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen med huvudområdet kulturvård med inriktning
mot bebyggelseantikvarisk verksamhet
2023, 180 hp
Grundnivå
2023:11
Collections
View/ Open
Date
2023-11-07Author
Curling, Rebecca
Keywords
Window retrofit, Historic building, Laypeople, Expert, Heritage
Series/Report no.
ISSN 1101-3303 2023:11
Language
swe