Architecture, Design and Conservation Danish Portal for Artistic and Scientific Research

Aarhus School of Architecture // Design School Kolding // Royal Danish Academy

"Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture in " Bock, Lars Nicolai

Published in: Critical Encyclopaedia for Restoration and Reuse of XXth Century Architecture

Publication date: 2012

Document Version: Early version, also known as pre-print

Link to publication

Citation for pulished version (APA): Bock, L. N. (Accepted/In press). "Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture in Denmark". In Critical Encyclopaedia for Restoration and Reuse of XXth Century Architecture : Section Theories and History of Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture

General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.

• Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

Download date: 28. Sep. 2021 Critical Encyclopaedia for Restoration and Reuse of XXth Century Architecture Section Theories and History of Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture

National referent for Denmark Lars Nicolai Bock Associate Professor, Architect maa Architectural Heritage School of Architecture

Article: "Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture in Denmark"

This article is a contribution to the project entitled "Critical Encyclopaedia for Restoration and Reuse of XXth Century Architecture - Section Theories and History of Reuse and Restoration of XXth Century Architecture” The contribution concerning the restoration and reuse of XXth century architecture in Denmark has been written on the suggestion of the management of the research project and will be based on a number of themes, many of which have been inspired by open questions formulated by Professor Bruno Reichlin and Assistant Professor Roberta Grignolo. It will, however, also touch upon other themes which may be characteristic of the Danish context.

XXth Century Architecture in Denmark The 20th century was a period which saw many ruptures and changes in the perception of architecture. In the beginning of the century, historicist architecture first became dominant and subsequently came to an end in interaction with the phasing out of national romanticism and art nouveau. These stylistic periods were replaced by a renewed interest in classicism, which, in the Danish context, had a rather significant resurgence before modernism became popular among architects. This "neo classicist" period coincided with a movement called "Bedre Byggeskik" (improved building practice) which had the main aim of cultivating and refining populist building projects based on an academic architectural-professional approach. Consequently, the neo classicist revival affected a great number of small dwellings, public parks and farms. This is important because the movement "Bedre Byggeskik" was phased out, like neo classicism, by means of the extensive appropriation of modernist ideals, this process was, consequently, reflected in anonymous buildings throughout the nation. The dominant stylistic period of the 20th century was, however, modernism. During the 1920s, notable examples of international modernism were built under the influence of Bauhaus and Le Corbusier. This style, which is known amongst professionals as international functionalism and which was popularly often referred to as "funkis" in Danish, influenced Danish architecture of the 1920s and 1930s. In the decades following World War II, international architectural style developed and changed under the influence of American role models and the realisation of industrialised construction processes, which was basically one of the preconditions for the conceptual basis of modernism. However, developments in the post-war era were also characterised by criticism raised against international modernism; such criticism was, for instance, expressed by TEAM 10. The absence of regional adjustment, the rejection of history and memory as being located in buildings and spaces resulted in, among other things, the development of different styles such as brutalism, postmodernism and deconstructivism.

Early examples of international modernist architecture in Denmark can be found in works by Edvard Heiberg, Mogens Lassen, Arne Jakobsen and many others. What these architects had in common was that they transferred ideas from Germany and France to the Danish context in a very direct manner. The architectural expression was very close to the expression of their models; efforts were also made to exploit what was seen as technological preconditions in the best possible way. However, it is possible to find quite a number of houses which have been given an international modernist expression in their external form but which were built from brick and timber in the traditional manner and were, subsequently, plastered and painted in order to achieve the "right" expression. In parallel with the construction of the first modernist houses, there is a significant parallel trend which attempts to reconcile international influences with the Danish building tradition. The architect Kay Fisker was one among others who advocated what he called a more rational and regional version of modernism1. An example of this style of building can be found at , where tile walls, low tiled roofs and flimsy steel window frames in combination with displacements of the simplistic building forms constitute the main architectural effects.

A great number of modernist buildings within various building typological categories were constructed; including dwellings, public buildings, building complexes, infrastructural facilities, industrial plants, etc. Many of these buildings have been preserved, but in very different ways.

Preservation and Reuse of Modernist Architecture in Denmark Modernist buildings offer a number of special challenges when it comes to reuse and restoration. Moreover, different categories of buildings are used in different ways and by different user groups that do not all have the same interest in building culture or architecture. In general, it would appear that the early examples of international functionalism are the most vulnerable in relation to renovation and modifications. The slender constructions, the very delicate steel framed windows and the specific details are so essential to the architectural impression that even small changes may diminish the architectural impression. Buildings in the category "den danske funktionelle tradition" (the Danish functional tradition) are basically subject to the same problems, but these buildings seem to be more robust and resistant to interventions. This is probably due to the sturdy characteristics of tile as a material.

Efforts for the preservation of later architecture began in the late 1970s, a period where the relationship between preservation and the age of objects of preservation was discussed. The time limits for a building to qualify for listing were changed from 100 years to 50. From 1985 onwards, the first modernist buildings were listed and this safeguarded important early works of, among others, Mogens Lassen and .

Preservation Legislation in Denmark In Demark there are two main categories with regard to the preservation of buildings. A distinction is made between listed buildings and buildings worthy of preservation. There are approx. 9,000 listed buildings which are administered under the Danish Preservation of Buildings Act introduced in 1918. This legislation, and the way it is administered, has since developed, but it basically ensures that changes to buildings have to be presented to the Kulturstyrelsen (Danish Agency for Culture2 ) under The Ministry of Culture. Buildings worthy of preservation are evaluated in a number of surveys known as Kommuneatlas3, but only if the buildings were built before 1940. It has been estimated that there are approx. 375,000 buildings which are worthy of preservation, all of which are managed by the municipalities of individual regions. We have to recognise the fact that this does not ensure the preservation of buildings categorised as being worthy of preservation, as the interest in preservation and the professional competences which are deployed by the authorities, vary greatly between individual municipalities. Furthermore, it is only possible, to some degree, to affect the design of the building exteriors. The management of historic buildings, including modernist buildings, are accordingly divided between state and municipality. The overall responsibility is with The Danish Agency for Culture; in particular the Heritage Agency of Denmark4 is responsible for preservation efforts in Denmark.

The only organisation which specifically works with modernist buildings is DoCoMoMo Denmark. But there are a number of other organisations, associations and foundations which have a broad interest in the preservation of buildings and, consequently, in modernism. These include BYFO5 which is an association of owners of listed buildings; Landsforeningen for bygnings- og landskabskultur6 which is a broad association with a popular basis; The Realdania Foundation7 which invests large sums in building preservation and which has, in fact, purchased a number of private single-family houses designed by well-known modernist architects with the aim of preservation ; Bygningsarv DK, an advisory consulting firm funded by Realdania; Europa NostraDK,8 which primarily attempts to make topical the preservation of buildings by distributing prizes; and, finally, a large number of local preservation associations located all over the country.

Politically, the preservation of buildings is described by fredningsloven (the preservation act) and by various planning acts, past and present. In 2007, the Danish government introduced an actual policy on architecture called "Arkitekturnation Danmark - rammer for liv og vækst" (Denmark, a nation of architecture - a framework for life and growth)9. As a part of this policy, you will find in, in separate, under section 7,"Den arkitektoniske kulturarv" (architectural heritage).

In Denmark, everyone can, in principle, recommend a building for preservation. In practice, it is however most often professionals or interest groups that do this. If a building is recommended for preservation, the Danish Agency for Culture will, in principle, have to initiate a process which may ultimately result in that the building is presented to an advisory assembly called "Det særlige bygningssyn". This assembly is composed of various professionals and has to approve the preservation of a building before the assembly can finalise a case. It is only in recent years that it has become common to justify the preservation of a building by formulating explanatory valuations. Buildings found worthy of preservation are assessed in connection with the drawing up of “Kommuneatlas” (municipal maps).

Listed buildings and buildings worthy of preservation are faced with challenges due to increased demands for, among other things, fire protection, accessibility and thermal insulation. Listed buildings are protected relatively well. The practice of The Danish Agency of Culture is restrictive and open. The agency prefers a good dialogue over prohibition. The agency primarily tries to influence owners to hire a talented architect who has the right skills and the right experience, and who is able to handle constructive dialogues with all types of authorities. The agency also attempts to employ a pedagogical approach. At the same time, a precedent has been set for withholding permission to insert insulating window frames with thick glazing bars in listed houses where architectural quality is founded on thin glazing bars and single-layered windows. Fire regulations are national, but the administration is local. One can therefore experience a non-uniform management of fire regulations.

Educational Programmes and Competences There are two schools of architecture in Denmark, and they both have units that work with the preservation and development of historic buildings. At the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture10 work is carried out which is particularly aimed at general aspects of architecture, whereas, at the Aarhus School of Architecture 11 a coherent process which includes investigation, documentation, valuation, programming and architectural intervention is being taught. In addition to this, there are educational programmes for conservators and craftsmen. An important institution for the supplementary education of engineers and craftsmen is Center for Bygningsbevaring12 (the centre for building preservation) in the town of Raadvad. There are no particular educational programmes which are exclusively aimed at the preservation of modernist buildings.

No legal or formal requirements are made of architects who work with historic buildings or modernist buildings. The Danish Agency for Culture attempts to influence owners and builders through a pedagogical approach, but, in reality, no demands are made. The title "architect" is not a protected title. Previously the Danish Agency for Culture was able to ensure that architectural practices which had particular and distinguished skills in architectural heritage were given assignments on listed buildings, but new EU requirements have discontinued this practice. Currently all practices and firms compete for assignments they in principle do not have the necessary competences to handle. Whether craftsmen and contractors have special competences depend on the way tenders are invited. In this regard, the Danish rules regarding invitations to tender and contract apply. It is only in cases where it is possible to select craftsmen directly, that special competences can be ensured.

Technical Terms Until recently, the term “restaurering” (restoration or conservation) was the only term which was used in the context of upgrading the preservation of historic buildings. This term is still the most dominant, but it is being challenged, especially at schools of architecture, by the term “transformation”, which appeals to young students of architecture. The terminology used about interventions actually presents a rather inscrutable chaos. Terms are not defined and they are used with different meanings in different professional and work-related contexts. You often encounter the term “renovering” (renovation), which, in reality, often refers to a process of superficial and rough repair. But, in general, terms that correspond to reconstruction, preservation, repair, re-use, maintenance, addition, renewal, etc. are used quite frequently The meaning and significance of Danish terms cannot be translated directly into other languages because each culture apparently gives terms their own culture-specific meaning. An internationally explained definition would be desirable.

Magazines and Websites In Denmark there are no magazines or web pages that deal exclusively with modernist buildings. But in journals of architecture, in the publications of different associations, as well as on the websites of the Danish Agency for Culture and other organisations, you can find quite a lot of material on the preservation of modernist buildings.

Putting into Perspective Danish Efforts Interest in the preservation, restoration, transformation and reuse of modernist buildings in Denmark has seen as quite dramatic increase. Very large areas have, not at least after World War II, been covered by modernist building projects - many of high quality. These developments are very much endangered by energy renovation and reinsulation. They have not been valuated or protected in time; this has meant that devastating interventions have reduced their architectural value. In the Danish context and climate, it is, in particular, new strict demands for thermal insulation which have been a special factor. The traditionally thin exterior walls of modernist buildings, the many thermal bridges and the delicate iron or wooden window frames are considered as outdated in technical terms, but are, at the same time, subject to veneration by the architectural profession. It will require new knowledge and research to qualify the necessary interventions which will result from the reuse and restoration of 20th century architecture.

1 Lund, Nils-Ole: Arkitekturteorier siden 1945 p. 14-16 2 http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/english/ 3 http://www.kulturarv.dk/english/municipality-and-planning/cultural-environment/mapping-the-heritage 4 http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/de-5-centre/center-for-kulturarv-og-arkitektur/ 5 http://www.byfo.dk

6 http://www.byogland.dk/ 7 http://www.realdania.dk/English.aspx 8 http://www.europa-nostra.dk/ 9 http://www.dac.dk/db/filarkiv/11048/dk_arkpol.pdf 10 http://www.karch.dk/ 11 http://aarch.dk/ 12 http://www.bygningsbevaring.dk/