Ove Hidemarks restoration of the Chinese pavilion at Drottningholm – castle architect in theory and practice.

The Chinese pavilion at Drottningholm is a national historical building, located on the island Lovön in lake Mälaren. In 1991 Drottningholm was included in the World Heritage List, UNESCO. The national property board of Sweden administrates all the national historical buildings and is responsible for the care and maintenance of these buildings. The purpose of this essay is to critically examine Ove Hidemarks’ restoration of the Chinese pavilion and thus illuminate the architects’ role in the restoration process. Furthermore, what significance Hidemarks’ restoration has today for future restorations. The theoretical framework of the essay is based on the question of who has the power over the historical buildings and its representation in a national perspective. The essay gives a summary of the history of restoration during the nineteenth and twentieth century and its’ development in Sweden and Europe with focus on some leading theorists. Further the main subject is about the restoration that Ove Hidemark did in 1989-96. The core of the essay is the Chinese pavilion and the several restorations made through history. Here is the emphasis on Ove Hidemarks restoration which is a rare example of a restoration, where neither the financial or time issue has been directing the project. The Chinese pavilion restoration has historically been governed by volatility in the theory of restoration, the power of authorities’ and the acting architect. The objective of the restoration in 1989-96 was to bring the Chinese pavilion back to its’ original state from the eighteenth century. After a review of construction meetings from the time and Hidemarks’ own description of the restoration, deviations from the goal has been made. The result of this study show that Ove Hidemarks restoration of the Chinese pavilion has greatly contributed to how the national historical building is represent today. His own views and restoration ideology is reflected in the building. Today´s castle architect follows Ove Hidemarks restoration in future restoration efforts. It demonstrates that Ove Hidemarks restoration of the Chinese Pavilion today has become the current.Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen i Kulturvård, Bebyggelseantikvariskt program 15 hp Institutionen för kulturvård Göteborgs universitet 2015:1