Antikvariskt perspektiv på adaptiv återanvändning: En fallstudie av Guldhedens norra vattentorn

Abstract

This thesis examines how adaptive reuse and cultural heritage values are approached by heritage conservation and heritage professionals, by studying the adaptiv reuse of the northern water tower in Guldheden. This thesis is relevant for heritage professionals who are involved in adaptive reuse or reconstruction related to cultural heritage. The Swedish National Heritage Board´s Platform for Cultural and Historical assessments and selection has been used as a theoretical framework in this thesis. Cultural historical values are important for different places, well-being and environmental sustainability. Heritage professionals expertise is considered necessary regarding urban development, land use, building reconstruction and adaptive reuse. However, challenges of adaptive reuse remain, such as economic conditions and lack of knowledge. In this thesis two heritage professionals have been interviewed to provide their perspective on adaptive reuse in relation to the water tower. Based on the heritage professionals view on adaptive reuse, the primary thing is that the building itself remains, the structures original purpose is visible and that the form and volume are preserved. The case study is based on the northern water tower in Guldheden, which underwent a transformation or reuse to become student housing. The study suggests that the reuse process was not careful with the buildings architectural features and cultural historical values. The buildings previously identified cultural historical values, shape, and volume are no longer visible after the reconstruction. Nevertheless, cultural historical values may, according to the informants, set boundaries for what is possible or permitted to do during adaptive reuse, and other values may be equally or more valuable than cultural historical values. Example as societal needs, which is in this thesis is related to student apartments. According to the Swedish National Heritage Board (2025) are cultural values in the built environment challenged by the society´s effort for sustainability, which is why heritage professionals expertise is essential in such as reuse and reconstruction of buildings. Since it is important to both maintain values and fulfill demands.