The renovation of residential housing developments from Danish modernism

Abstract: This report elaborates on the renovation of residential housing development from Danish modernism built between the 1930s and late 1950s. The period represents a significant moment in the history of Danish architecture. Modernist ideas gained ground in the housing sector and secured attractive and healthy living conditions for Danish working- and middle-class people. The most renowned architects were employed in order to establish the new residential houses. The result was a unique, high-quality architecture with a significant architectural and cultural-historic value. Today, sixty to ninety years after construction, most of these buildings require fundamental renovations in order to adapt to modern demands and maintain attractive and healthy living conditions. Many buildings exhibit severe problems with eroded building components, outdated installations, moisture ingress, mould formation and high energy consumption. Outdated floorplans have to be modernized in order to attract residents from different social backgrounds. New additions might be needed in order to adapt to the changed circumstances and to increase the attractivity of the development. Such profound interventions can easily destroy the architectural and cultural-historic values of the buildings, since the modernist architecture - with its sober expression and fine detailing - is particularly vulnerable to unqualified changes. A considerate planning and a good understanding of the values at risk is therefore crucial for a successful renovation project. The present report tries to enhance this understanding by various means. The report offers a brief theoretical background that points out the original concepts and intentions of the modernist architecture and then tries to open the discussion towards suitable heritage assessment and possible conservation strategies. While the analysis of recent renovation projects introduces a methodology to analyse, evaluate and reflect on implemented solutions, the final design project sets the focus on the possibilities that new additions can offer to the modernist developments. It is hoped that the theoretical, empirical and practical content of this report can assist and inspire the reader in future renovation projects. Many references of the presented report are originally written in Danish. The report can thus also be valuable for the English reader, who cannot access the original sources.