The Historic Layers of the Reuversweerd Estate in Brummen

How can the historic layers of the site be preserved and made experience-able?

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

J. Düber Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

H. Zijlstra Heritage & Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
W.J. Quist Heritage & Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
C.I.C. van Emstede Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (coach)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2019 Johannes Düber
Transformation Revitalising heritage Reuversweerd Hheritage & Architecture
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Published Date

26-06-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The main inspiration for my design originates from the great variety of spaces, atmospheres and time layers on site. Preserving this unique quality for the public and making it experience-able as well as using it as a source of revenue are my main focuses. I pose the question:”How can the historic layers of the site be preserved and made experience-able?” To answer this question I introduced the 3 following approaches:

Offer additional programme
Preserve the original building fabric
Establish new connections

Each approach is reflected in a concrete intervention on site.
The site is mainly transformed into a boutique hotel. To attract more visitors and therefore create more revenue as well as to make the site sustainable, I introduce a restaurant and market hall in combination with a greenhouse. Located in the former functional post war stables it also functions as a new public entrance to the site. A big part of the atmosphere on site is characterized by the war damages in the main house. The core idea is to maintain the original atmosphere of the rooms with only a few “images” of the historic rooms while providing modern living standards. All serious damages to the brickwork are maintained and similar to a showcase, in a museum exhibited through a window pane. This is contrasted by the new plaster wall finish around the frames which is painted in a way that it matches the original colour scheme of the room.
Introducing a walkway which connects all buildings on site serves two functions. Firstly it makes the navigation for visitors much easier and leads them from one function to the other. More importantly, however, it serves as a tool to tell the history of Reuversweerd. Leading from one time cluster to the other it shows the visitor the different time layers and atmospheres. By making a connection that was never there before It also creates an entirely new context for the buildings which enables a focus shift towards their history and spatial qualities rather than their beauty.