Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In 2007 the project with the renewal of the Vasa Park in Stockholm won the Siena Prize. The architects responsible for the project described how they aimed for upgrading the park within its historical framework. Since the project was a renewal and not a restoration of the park, I thought it would be interesting to study how the architects proceeded with this work. The aim of this essay has therefore been to examine how the last renewal of the Vasa Park has chosen to approach the history of the place. To understand the historical development of the park and how the renewal project was carried out, I started with a literature survey consisting of books, the program of the renewal and articles about the project. This was followed by site visits to get a sense of the place. Based on the collected information, I tried to interpret how the architects related to the history of the Vasa Park. The great importance of children's games and sports received increased attention during the period when the park was built. These thoughts were reflected in the very first design of the park and were developed even more during the 1900's. During the last renewal these features have become more distinctive while others have gone lost. The focus of the renewal was to adapt the park to current needs rather than preserve its historical design. This was an attitude I perceived had many similarities with Sven-Ingvar Andersson's restoration principle of free renewal, which purpose is to recreate the atmosphere and experience of the place, rather than its original shape.