Glasklara tillägg? : En jämförande analys av Kulturmagasinets, Zornmuseets och Turebergshusets glastillbyggnader ur ett varsamhetsperspektiv / Additions, Clear as Glass? : A Comparative Analysis of Glass Extensions Added to Kulturmagasinet, Zornmuseet and Turebergshuset from a Conservation Perspective

Jeanna Tolsén

This study reviews and questions whether modern glass extensions to older buildings can always be considered a careful choice of material. As well as highlighting the material's qualities and shortcomings as extension material from a precautionary perspective. To investigate the problem, three objects situated in Sweden are selected in a case study; Kulturmagasinet in Sundsvall, The Zorn Museum in Mora and Turebergshuset in Sollentuna. These are meant to act as examples of this widespread phenomenon where older buildings during the 1980s–2020s has had glass extensions added to them. In the study it is compared wheather glass extensions have been built in the same way and according to the same principles or if it has changed during this period of time. In the investigation, a restorational- and building conservational theoretical perspective is adopted with the help of selected articles from the Venice Charter 1964 published by ICOMOS as well as principles presented in the Swedish building conservational guide Fem pelare, published by Riksantikvarieämbetet; the Swedish authority for cultural heritage. The investigation shows that glass is often times chosen as a material in extensions because of its transparancy, flexibility and reversability – which is considered advantageous from a restorational- and building conservational point of view. On the whole, glass extensions are built in the same way and according to the same principles today as in the 1980s. However, glass extensions can today be carried out in an increasingly larger scale due to developed building technology. It also seems that the reversibility that is advocated from a precautionary point of view is sometimes transformed into a modern style grip. This means that there is a risk that glass extensions are added to culturally valuable buildings as a trend rather than as a gentle solution for adapting older buildings to contemporary requirements. It is therefore important to keep analyzing glass as a choice of material when building extensions to older buildings. And to keep analyzing the purposes of glass extensions.

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