Horst castle: a translation into the 21st century

Abstract

This thesis studies the possible approach for an adaptive reuse of the castle of Horst (Holsbeek, Belgium). It originates in the antique conceptual themes of ‘Melancholia’, ‘Chronos’, and ‘Metamorphoses’ that are connected to the symbolic and valuable element of the stucco ceilings of the castle. Elements that functioned as a representation of the late Renaissance revival of the site. This was related to the approaches from architectural theory on reviving and reusing architecture. I start my research with a brief look into the terminology of these subjects and how they are relevant to adaptive reuse projects. Then I proceed with the translation of the results of the research and worked towards a concept through the use of a free and associative visual experiment, linking the castle’s interior to paintings. This was supported by a selection of case studies leading to a concept and a methodology. I apply this to a translation of one of the decorated rooms of the castle, where the aim was to highlight the initial characteristics of that particular space and at the same time provide comfort that is required to meet the modern-day standards of the infrastructure.