Title

Author(s)

Guiller Lopez, Brinda Sarma, Vasiliki Pezodromou

Affiliation

Uppsala University

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/OYKG8518

Keywords

Virtual Adaptive Reuse, Bodenska Huset, Lost Architecture

PP

597-604

How to Cite

Lopez, Guiller, Brinda Sarma, Vasiliki Pezodromou. “What If It Survived? Virtual Adaptive Reuse and the Case of Bodénska Huset.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 597–604. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

Adaptive reuse typically involves repurposing existing buildings to extend their functional lifespan while preserving their historical and cultural value. But what if the building no longer exists in its physical form? Sustaining or transforming its use becomes non-viable, and additionally, its cultural life and impact get significantly shortened. Digital technologies offer innovative opportunities to revive lost architecture in the virtual world. This study explores virtual adaptive reuse through the case of Bodénska Huset, a demolished building in Uppsala, Sweden, investigating how virtual environments can extend architectural heritage beyond physical loss. Bodénska Huset was a notable example of 19th-century neo-Renaissance architecture, bearing local cultural significance, located near Vaksala Torg in central Uppsala, designed by Carl Axel Ekholm, the first city architect. Its demolition, in 2005, to accommodate a modern concert hall sparked debates about heritage conservation and urban change. This study investigates how Bodénska Huset might have been adaptively reused if it had survived, balancing contemporary needs with its historical significance. It aims to envision the building’s potential legacy and influence Uppsala’s cultural and spatial development. The study comprises three phases. Phase one focuses on 3D reconstruction, utilizing archival materials to digitally model Bodénska Huset. Phase two employs speculative design, including interviews to explore new possible uses in both alternative and virtual scenarios. Phase three presents a proposed design, contributing to discussions on heritage conservation and virtual adaptive reuse, highlighting how virtual environments can introduce new functions and engagements with lost architectural heritage. This study contributes to the emerging discourse on heritage conservation by demonstrating how virtual adaptive reuse can extend the life and relevance of lost architecture. By combining 3D reconstruction with speculative design, it offers a novel framework for engaging with demolished buildings beyond traditional adaptive reuse methods. The research highlights the potential of digital environments to foster new cultural interactions and spatial experiences, thereby enriching urban identity and expanding possibilities for sustainable heritage management in contemporary cities.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.