Danish vernacular architecture: sustainability in conservation practice

New research has demonstrated that sustainable aspects were inherent in Danish preindustrial vernacular architecture. As a logical consequence of this knowledge and with the growing focus on sustainability, this paper investigates sustainability as a preservation value for the purpose of increasing sustainability in Danish architectural conservation. To achieve this objective, the paper presents a so-called thought experiment carried out as a critical case study in order to explore if and to what extent sustainable values are already part of architectural conservation. First, the theoretical base of adding sustainability as a preservation value and the analytical model is established. Next, the case study is carried out and then sustainability as a preservation value is discussed. Lastly, the paper outlines a number of recommendations for promoting sustainability in architectural conservation, including sustainability as a preservation value.