THATCHED ROOFS AND OPEN-AIR MUSEUMS. A comparative study of Sweden and Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study how thatched roofs in Sweden and Japan have changed their characters over the time from a roof for residence to a museum object and how they are represented at open-air museums today while the craftsmanship is still alive and struggling for its survival. The methods for this research are literature studies, interviews, and observations. Theories of Architecture mainly by Pallasmaa Juhani and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage are applied to analyze the subjects from another aspect. This thesis highlights the tendency in open-air museums that lacks attention to thatched roof and its craftsmanship. By rethinking the history of thatching and open-air museums and by introducing the concept of Architecture and Intangible Cultural Heritage this thesis concludes that thatched roofs and its craftsmanship should be narrated and shown to the visitors as it is a part of their collection. It would promote thatching and strengthen the role of open-air museums in the current society.