Reinterpreting History

Abstract

This research-by-design project investigates the redesign of the kitchen building of the Kolonel Palmkazerne in Bussum, one of the standardised military barrack complexes designed by A.G.M. Boost prior to the Second World War. As many former military sites have lost their original function, adaptive reuse offers opportunities to preserve their heritage value while accommodating contemporary needs. The research aims to identify the design principles underlying the Boostkazernes and evaluate how these principles are reflected in the transformation of the Kolonel Palmkazerne kitchen building into a public library.

A comparative case study analysis was conducted on four other Boost-designed barrack complexes: Elias Beeckmankazerne (Ede), Generaal de Bonskazerne (Grave), Constant Rebecquekazerne (Eindhoven), and Saksen-Weimarkazerne (Arnhem). Through archival research and architectural analysis, site morphology, building morphology, functionality, and materiality were studied. The findings revealed a consistent design logic based on pavilion planning, central organisation around the parade ground, hierarchical spatial relationships, grid-based ordering, symmetry, and the integration of modern construction techniques within a traditional architectural language.

These principles were translated into a design framework and used to evaluate the redevelopment of the Kolonel Palmkazerne kitchen building. The resulting design keeps the organisational logic and ensemble value characteristic of the Boostkazernes while adapting the building to contemporary requirements for accessibility, and public use. The research demonstrates that historical design principles can serve as a valuable framework for adaptive reuse, enabling architectural interventions that respect heritage values while accommodating new functions.