Proposed aspects for evaluation of the value of spaces in historic buildings

There is an unrealised potential for new uses of cultural heritage sites. The purpose of this paper is to identify evaluation aspects for assessing the potential of new uses for cultural heritage places and test the proposed aspects in a case study. The proposed framework serves as a tool for understanding the value of spaces for historic buildings. The paper provides a short introduction to the different aspects typically included in the different types of evaluation. We pursue a broad approach to attain a holistic perspective on evaluating cultural heritage places, including evaluation approaches from facilities and project management as well as architectural and cultural heritage management. Based on the review, we propose a framework that consists of key evaluation aspects. We distinguish among nine primary aspects to assess cultural heritage places: history, architecture, structure, environment, legislation, plans, time, users and economy. The proposed set of aspects is applied to evaluate a pilot case and its potential for new use. Two types of results are presented: the proposed aspects for evaluation of a site and reflections based on their application. The case is “Værnes Hovedgård”, a 19th-century manor house located on an air base. The case study illustrates a situation in which a cultural heritage site loses its original function because of a combination of an unfortunate location and physical characteristics. The historic aspect is clearly relevant to this type of site. The building is sound and healthy, and it receives continuous maintenance. This building has direct funding for maintenance but it generates no income and is rarely in use. We discuss different approaches for alternative use, based on the proposed evaluation aspects. These aspects could be applied to evaluating other cultural heritage sites with special focus on the potential for use.