Rethinking the Danish Medieval Village Church: Borum Church - a case
Authors
Thorkildsen, Hedda ; Revsbech, Christine Amalie ; Uldbjerg, Louise Wolter
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Pages
226
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan danske middelalderlige landsbykirker kan forblive relevante i nutidens landdistrikter. Mange af disse kirker bliver brugt mindre end før, samtidig med at interessen for at anvende dem til et bredere udvalg af aktiviteter er stigende. Streng frednings- og bevaringslovgivning begrænser dog fysiske ændringer af bygningerne, fordi de er vigtig kulturarv. Det centrale spørgsmål er: Hvordan kan en middelalderlig landsbykirke tilpasse sig nutidige og fremtidige behov og give plads til mere mangfoldig brug, samtidig med at dens religiøse betydning, historie og særlige karakter respekteres? Studiet forener en arkitektonisk og kulturel læsning af kirkernes historie med en analyse af deres typiske form, basilikaen (et langt hovedrum med sidegange), for at skitsere en praktisk ramme for skånsomme tilpasninger. Arbejdet følger en Research by Design-tilgang (efter Rob Roggema) og bygger på metoder som Maj Bjerre Dalsgaards “Field of Opportunities” for landsbykirker, Søren Vadstrups bygningsanalyse og værdivurdering samt Johannes Exners “Fire Nøgler”. For at afprøve rammen udvikler afhandlingen et designforslag for Borum Kirke. Casen viser, hvordan generelle principper kan styre konkrete ændringer: Ved at arbejde med basilikaens plan kan man skabe muligheder for nye anvendelser og begrænsede fysiske ændringer uden at miste det, der gør kirken særlig—dens særlige stemning (heterotopi) og historiske værdi. Da middelalderkirkerne er beskyttede, argumenterer afhandlingen for aktive bevaringsstrategier, der gør det muligt at gennemføre varsomme ændringer inden for fredningsreglerne, så bygningerne fortsat kan have en funktion i fremtiden.
This thesis explores how Denmark’s medieval village churches can remain relevant in today’s rural communities. Many are used less than before, yet there is growing interest in opening them to a wider range of activities. Strict heritage protection limits physical changes, as these buildings are important cultural monuments. The central question is how a medieval village church can adapt to present and future needs, allowing more varied use while honoring its religious meaning, history, and character. The study combines an architectural and cultural reading of the churches’ history with an analysis of their typical form, the basilica (a long main space with side aisles), to outline a practical framework for sensitive adaptations. The work follows a Research by Design approach (after Rob Roggema) and draws on methods such as Maj Bjerre Dalsgaard’s “Field of Opportunities” for village churches, Søren Vadstrup’s building analysis and value assessment, and Johannes Exner’s “Four Keys”. To test the framework, the thesis develops a design proposal for Borum Church. This case shows how general principles can guide specific changes: by working with the basilica layout, it becomes possible to introduce new uses and limited physical alterations without losing what makes the church special—its distinct atmosphere (heterotopia) and historical value. Because these churches are protected, the thesis argues for active conservation strategies that enable careful change within conservation rules so the buildings can continue to serve their communities in the future.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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