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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 Denmark" 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". 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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 Aarhus 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 Aarhus University, 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 Arne Jacobsen. 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