Nørgaard, Tine

English

Research in Architecture, Design and Conservation

Tine Noergaard, Aarhus School of Architecture Abstract, Archhist ‘13 
The Aarhus Story – a case study mapping interplays between architectural education, practice 
& government policies 1965-2010 
Abstract 
Based on mapping interrelations between architectural education, practice and government policies the 
history of the Aarhus Cluster of Architecture is presented as a case study discussing the impact of 
mobility and virtualization on architectural practice(-s). 
Résumé 
In the 1960ies growing general wealth and decentralization of stately institutions in Denmark was pivotal 
in the decision to break the monopoly in architectural education from 1754 maintained by the Royal 
Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Hence, the Aarhus School of Architecture (AAA) was founded 1965 
in order to meet demands for qualified staff in the increasing number of architectural offices outside the 
capital. Expanding rapidly from producing 20 candidates in 1970 to on average 120 candidates annually 
1980-2000; 150 annually 2000-2005 AAA has established itself as a cornerstone in the construction of a 
cluster of architects´ offices within ZIP-code DK-8000 Aarhus C. 
During the 20th-21st century Aarhus population has grown from 10 to 20% of that of Copenhagen´s. Only 
a ‘kid brother’ to a capital per status privileged by stately commissions, from their founding1 offices 
located in Aarhus had to engage in commissions all over the country. As a first mover among the Aarhus- 
offices Friis & Moltke entered the international scene winning a 1st prize in the competition Siemens 
conference center, Feldafing (D) 1971. In the following 15 years the office executed a series of 
conference centers, three of which in the U.S. Simultaneously, facing a need to attract staff from abroad 
from the mid-70ies to the mid-90ies  AAA had 8 nationalities represented on faculty. Concordantly, 
drawing on faculty networks AAA became renowned for its international profile.  
Facing a general economic setback in DK during the 80ies and 90ies the by then established cluster of 
architect´s offices founded by graduates from the AAA relied on the international outlook grounded 
during studies be maintained in their practice. Thus, in 2005 Aarhus could boast of being the home-
address of 4 out of the Top 10 Scandinavian offices, and a higher density of architects relative to 
population than that of Manhattan – still, from 2003 onwards a new trend is noticeable: Graduates from 
AAA no longer settle in Aarhus, but in Copenhagen or metropolises elsewhere.  
The paper/presentation relate to material published in 
Noergaard, Tine; Toft, Anders H., Arkitekturklyngen i Aarhus, publ. 2009 (in Danish only), Realdania 
Research/Center for Strategic Urban Research/AAA 
 
Selected illustrations in separate file. 
                                               
1 The first officially termed architects office opened in Aarhus 1909. 


The Aarhus Story – a case study mapping interplays between architectural education, practice &amp; government policies 1965-2010:Abstract Archhist ‘13, Architecture_Politics_Art, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul

The Aarhus Story – a case study mapping interplays between architectural education, practice & government policies 1965-2010:Abstract Archhist ‘13, Architecture_Politics_Art, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul

Abstract

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Research in Architecture, Design and Conservation

The Aarhus Story – a case study mapping interplays between architectural education, practice &amp; government policies 1965-2010:Abstract Archhist ‘13, Architecture_Politics_Art, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Research in Architecture, Design and Conservation

The Aarhus Story – a case study mapping interplays between architectural education, practice & government policies 1965-2010:Abstract Archhist ‘13, Architecture_Politics_Art, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul