The Balance Between Cultural Historical Values and Sustainable Adaptations in Monumental Canal Houses in Amsterdam
J.P.L. Holtus (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Hilde Sennema – Mentor
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Abstract
The slogan of the Groene Grachten (2018) for the flagship project at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 136 is ‘If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere!’ The renovation of the building in 2021 serves as a model for other canal houses to demonstrate that even these monumental buildings can be made sustainable. The aim of this paper is to investigate in what extent the integration of sustainability does align with the authenticity of heritage in the renovation of Amsterdam’s canal houses. This will contribute to gaining insight into how sustainable renovation of monumental buildings can be approached. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore fundamental aspects of authenticity. Subsequently, historical research was undertaken focusing on the city of Amsterdam. Oudezijds Voorburgwal 136 was identified as a case study to investigate authentic values and sustainable innovations within a canal house setting. The research underscores the challenges and compromises involved in preserving authentic appearances while implementing sustainable measures, especially focusing on the facade where authenticity is most pronounced. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between authenticity and sustainability across building layers, emphasizing the need for strategic compromises and innovative solutions to effectively achieve preservation goals.