Sustainable transformation: building heritage, transformation and sustainability in a holistic perspective

This paper is about sustainable transformation with a particular focus on listed buildings. It is based on the notion that sustainability is not just a question of energy conditions, but also about the building being robust. Robust architecture means that the building can be maintained and rebuilt, that it can be adapted to changing functional needs, and that it has an architectural and cultural value.
A specific proposal for a transformation that enhances the architectural qualities and building heritage values of an existing building forms the empirical material, which is discussed using different theoretical lenses.
It is proposed that three parameters concerning the ꞌtransformabilityꞌ of the building can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of sustainable transformation: technical aspects, programmatic requirements and narrative value. It is proposed that the concept of ꞌsustainable transformationꞌ may describe the transformation of existing buildings in a holistic perspective seeking to pass on maximum value to present and future generations.