Aarhus School of Architecture

The Aarhus School of Architecture, an educational institution under The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, has approximately 700 students and employs a staff of about 130. The school offers an international master in architecture as a supplement to Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes taught in Danish.

History

The Aarhus School of Architecture was established in 1965 and has since then educated approx. 5000 Masters in architecture. The school has been instrumental in creating Aarhus’ reputation as an international city of design and architecture. With 142 architectural practices (employing 1000+ employees) Aarhus is the city in the world with the highest density of design and architecture companies, most of these companies, many of which have achieved international success, have their roots in the school.

About the Aarhus School of Architecture

Teaching at the school is studio-based emphasising project work. The school places an emphasis on practice-based teaching while maintaining an artistic approach to architecture. To a great extent the school’s approach to architecture centres around the process of creating architectural form, through actual, often full-scale, physical models. Workshop facilities on a par with those found on some of the best schools of architecture allow students to explore their ideas in 3D and in 1:1 - around the clock. Other resources include a specialised library and a materials shop. Studying at the Aarhus School of Architecture requires a high degree of independence from students as students are responsible for their own projects and artistic development work. The school prides itself in the high employability of its graduates. A career workshop and supplementary education help facilitate good records of student employment. Another forte of the school is its strong involvement in international cooperation resulting in internships, student exchange programmes, international lectures, and, recently, teaching in joint studios in cooperation with CAFA (The China Central Academy of Fine Arts).

Specialties:

Architecture, Design, Urbanism, Habitation, Transformation, Tectonic/Digital Design, Sustainability See the studios currently offered by the school. “Engaging through Architecture” – the vision of the school The vision of the school is: ”Engaging through Architecture” – i.e. to educate students who are aware of the challenges and responsibilities they have as designers of our future material and immaterial surroundings and who engage actively and critically with society. This requires the school to also engage actively with society, a strategy which has resulted in national and international cooperation aimed at suggesting architectural solutions to problems in society.

The mission of the school

In practical terms the mission of the school is:

• To offer academic and professional Bachelor degree programmes and Master’s degree programmes in architecture at the highest level and PhD programmes in architecture
• To offer supplementary education in architecture
• To carry out research and artistic development work at the highest level with the aim of continually qualifying the education, the practice of the discipline, and the interdisciplinary integration of architecture