Fasadism som kulturvård

Abstract

This study is an investigation of how façadism can be understood as an act of conservation and compensation in Sweden, through the definition of façadism as the act of retaining or reconstructing an existing façade with the construction of a new building behind the façade. The study is executed through an investigation and analysis of the definition of façadism, arguments for and against façadism related to authenticity, and through an analysis of how current legislation, policies and charters regarding conservation and/or compensation can support or counteract façadism. The first part of this study is executed through a literature study of façadism on an international level. The second part of this study is executed through a document analysis of façadism on a national and international level. Lastly, two case studies of façadism in Gothenburg, Sweden are studied. As façadism has been viewed as a measure mainly founded on economic and technical aspects, not much research has been done on façadism in relation to conservation. Furthermore, no Swedish research of façadism has been executed. Some international studies have been executed on facadism through architectural and conservation perspectives, which show opposing aspects of the matter. Some view façadism as a legitimate act of conservation and/or compensation, while others view the measure as incompatible with conservation criteria. The theoretical framework for this study is based on authenticity along with conservation and compensation of cultural values. A mitigation hierarchy model for conservation and compensation is applied to relate façadism to authenticity. The analysis of current legislation, policies and charters show contradicting regulations and guidelines for façadism. The case studies show shifting and contradicting perspectives on façadism. These perspectives are reflected in the many opposing opinions on the matter that are illuminated through the literature study. The perspectives can be reflected in the concept of authenticity regarding character and material aspects. Through these two aspects, the conclusion of this essay is that façadism to some extent can be viewed as an act of conservation of material authenticity through the retention of existing façades. Through the view of authenticity regarding character, façadism can be viewed as an act of both conservation and compensation.