Classicism and modernity; progress through continuity
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and urban design (MPARC), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Sjöström Fransson, Linus
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This thesis investigates and handles questions regarding what can constitute as contemporary architecture,
as well as how original intentions which over time have been left unrealized can be reimplemented and
or reinterpreted in a contemporary context while simultaneously accommodating the current day needs
of a prominent cultural institution. It does so in the context of the recently concluded competition for the
extension and remodelling of the Gothenburg Museum of Art.
The thesis begins by exploring the journey of the art museum from its inception as an idea in 1917
following the ARES consortium’s winning competition proposal in the competition that was held in the
same year, how this proposal eventually wouldn’t come to be realized and its subsequent transformation
into the museum we see today, and in turn how this came to affect the operations of the museum in the
long term. The thesis also handles the question of continuity in the field of architecture, and in doing so,
connects to an ongoing architectural discourse within contemporary Swedish society.
The design which is then presented utilises the original competition proposal as a basis in terms of
overall composition, while at the same time drawing inspiration from more general themes which can
commonly be found in Swedish architecture from the 1920’s. The resulting extension is a proposal which
doesn’t treat its historical context as something forever locked in place, preserved for all eternity not
to be touched ever again, but which sees it as a living thing, just waiting to be developed further, with
continuity as a guiding principle.