The End of Beautification

Across Denmark more than 60 million m² of empty traditional farm buildings are under threat of demolition financed by the state. This thesis questions this practice and proposes alternative models for national policy, rural planning and demonstrates viable alternatives for the reuse of these farm buildings, as a mechanism for social change.

NATIONAL: Throughout the Middle ages, Denmark has been covered in a tight pattern of small agricultural settlements. But modern zoning laws neglect these structures. While cities have expanded widely without density and identity, rural areas have been left to stagnate. We propose a reform in regulation, setting a boundary for city expansion, to encourage densification and intensification. Any development outside of this city boundary should take place in existing rural settlements. We propose the introduction of a separate planning zone for settlements. These settlements will be intensified by taking in use the empty building mass and allowing densification in between them, as long as this takes place within the existing settlement boundaries. By doing this we intensify what is already there and amplify the void around them. In contrast to current strategies where the contradiction between city and countryside is gradually being blurred.\nSETTLEMENT: These reforms in regulation are then implemented and strategies are proposed within an urban design for the village og Ørslev, where around half of the existing building mass is unused. When all of the existing building mass gradually has been made use of, new buildings can be added, with bases in the same constellation and proportion as the existing structures. These changes can lead to the improvement of rural communities’ access to jobs, homes and social infrastructure. Thereby increasing the population and improving the life-quality of a countryside population.\nBUILDING: Architectural proposals are made for the preservation and reuse of the typical 4 winged historic barn Østergård, within the village Ørslev. Due to Østergård's unique position in the village, we propose to make this structure available to the villagers, as well as to attract crafty and innovative individuals to the countryside by introducing a creative work collective. We propose robust and efficient architectural and construction strategies for building conservation and adaptation, amplifying existing qualities while making it viable for the future.