RESEARCH 2012
AARHUS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
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CONTENT
FACTS
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The research activities of the School of Architecture are based on
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INTRODUCTION Claus Peder Pedersen
Introduction Researching at children’s level The Blank Spaces on the Map New Researchers 2012 PhD Degrees 2012 Researchers and Projects Research Centres and Networks Conferences and Seminars Research Communication
Head of Research
a dynamic structure which in 2012 consisted of 14 platforms each focusing on specific professional issues. Every year the relevance of each platform and proposals for new platforms are evaluated making it possible to reflect new demands for architectural research.
The PhD students of the school are each affiliated to an individual
In 2012 the new structure implemented at the Aarhus School of
Aarhus School of Architecture contributes to Bygningskulturarv 2015
platform and to a joint research school which both plans and
Architecture started to manifest itself, and the contours of a new
(Architectural Heritage 2015), a cross-institutional research project
implements PhD courses and functions as a unifying environment for
academic landscape is beginning to take shape. In addition to this,
funded by Realdania, by providing a research group. The Danish
the PhD programme.
the Aarhus School of Architecture has identified three new focus
Council for Independent Research chose to support the development of
areas: transformation, habitation and sustainability. The intention
an international research network on the cultural heritage of the cold
In 2012, the school had 17 PhD students and 37 academics with
is that these focus areas should support the school’s ambition of
war. Towards the very end of the year, the school received confirmation
research obligations. In addition, there were 2 industrial PhDs as well
contributing to the development of a socially relevant involvement
of EU funding for an ambitious international practice-based PhD
as 9 PhD students affiliated to the Kolding School of Design.
related to architectural practice. We have focused on developing the
programme in cooperation with five European and one Australian
overall framework of research in a way which will enable it to support
schools of architecture.
The research activities of the school are managed by the Research
such perspectives. Towards the very end of the year, a new research
Administration in cooperation with the Head of Research and the
plan for the next three years was approved. The aim of this plan is to
In 2013 research will be given a significant boost. The Aarhus School
Research Committee.
develop the focus areas of the Aarhus School of Architecture, to create
of Architecture has given research a higher priority and funding for
new research initiatives and to ensure the continuation of the best of
research has been increased. This will result in a number of new
Published by Aarhus School of Architecture 2013
our existing research settings. It also identifies a number of challenges
research positions being advertised. New professorships with special
Edition: The Research Administration
and potentials for research which are to be unfolded in the years to
responsibilities, known as MSO professorships, are intended to
Layout: Anders Søren Damsgaard Nielsen
come.
strengthen the research-based development of the new focus areas of
Print: Lasertryk A/S
the school. We will begin a badly needed push to recruit new PhDs. In This spring the Aarhus School of Architecture advertised and filled a
combination with our EU cooperation on a practice-based researcher
number of new positions. This recruitment was particularly directed
training programme, this should result in the creation of a new “growth
at teaching but also included researcher positions in interaction
layer” for research. We will also be organising activities to encourage
design, architectural theory and digital design. In the course of the
greater cooperation and in the school creating more qualified research
year several PhD students successfully defended their dissertations.
applications. We are also working on new formats of publication.
Introduction:
We were also successful in obtaining external funding for a number
These are truly exciting times for research at the Aarhus School of
Photo: Jacob Bredahl
of projects and initiatives. External funding has made it possible to
Architecture.
Front page: Ørslev Abbey The PhD project ”Documenting Architectural Heritage” by Nina Ventzel Riis Photo: PhD fellow Nina Ventzel Riis
continue upgrading the school’s workshop facilities with advanced digital tools. This will provide new opportunities for doing handson research in building processes and building components. The
More on this in Research 2013...
RESEARCHING AT CHILDREN’S LEVEL By Leif Leer Sørensen
In the past year, Aviaja Borup Lynggaard and Kari Moseng
institutions, businesses, municipal authorities - and, most importantly,
have been trying to think from the perspective of children. As
the kids.
part of the project “Kids n’ Tweens” they have been developing interactive learning environments and tools aimed at involving
Having had to relate to how children can be involved in democratic
children in design and decision-making processes - in close
design and decision-making processes has been both exciting and
interaction with the children involved.
instructive; the same goes for experiencing how rewarding this can be as a source of inspiration,” adds Aviaja Borup Lynggaard.
How can we develop interactive learning environments for children? And how can we involve children in design processes? These have been
Sounding out the situation
the main issues for Aviaja Borup Lynggaard and Kari Moseng, both
This results in the following remark by Kari Moseng:
employed as research assistants at the Aarhus School of Architecture.
“It is precisely the fact that we have had to cooperate with many
Aviaja is a designer and holds a PhD, and Kari is a building architect.
diverse partners that has taught us the importance of sounding out
Together they have been running the Laboratory of Architecture
the situation and relating to the different cultures and environments
and Design under the project Play and Learning - Kids n’ Tweens
you have to interact with - instead of just relying on your own
Lifestyle. A project initiated by the Region of Southern Denmark with
preconceived ideas.”
financial support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Growth Forum of Southern Denmark. The long-term objective
The Aarhus School of Architecture has been running a total of six Kid’s
is to develop, through cooperation between companies, knowledge
n’ Tweens projects; the first three were managed by a colleague of
institutions and authorities, meaningful offers for children and young
theirs, Tina Holm, until she was employed as Research Consultant at
people - thus strengthening companies, attracting partners, customers
the LEGO Learning Institute at the beginning of 2012. Kari and Aviaja
and tourists, and branding the Region of Southern Denmark as “the
have been handling the last three projects: one large joint project and
region where children and adults play the best!”
two smaller ones which have been their individual responsibility.
Anchoring in practice
LITiRum
“Having been a part of the Kids n’ Tweens projects has been extremely
The most extensive project has been LITiRum; a project aimed at
rewarding. In particular anchoring the project in practice has been
integrating learning, information technology, and space (LITiRum =
very valuable. The fact that the initiated projects are supposed to
Learning and IT in Space). Instead of reducing IT to standardised
The Reseach project: “Kids n’ Tweens”
result in real proposals means that you are given an opportunity to
products, which are taken from the shelf and implemented directly in
Photo: Henrik Kastenskov
test whether they actually work in practice,” Kari Moseng explains.
existing teaching, the aim has been to involve children, teachers, and
“Yes, and on top of that the project has been conducted as cross-
school management in the development of new interactive spaces, so-
disciplinary cooperation, with many participants: other research
called ‘hybrid learning environments’, where there is a match between
The School Yard of the Future
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7 pedagogy, space and technology. The project has been developed in
The name Galaxen was something the pupils came up with; the
cooperation with sixth form pupils from Kjellerup Skole and Vinding
idea is to use Galaxen to improve connections between schools and
Skole, in Jutland, and is based on technologies school children use in
businesses. The intention is that through, among other things, video-
everyday life.
conferencing school children will become acquainted with different companies and get an insight into what these companies do and
“We have carried out seven workshops involving pupils, teachers and
how they work. Conversely, businesses may gain an insight into the
school management; during these workshops we have, based on
everyday lives and abilities of the children involved.
specific learning situations and learning objectives, developed new technologies together. Up to 100 participants have been involved in
“As a result of industrialisation schools and industry have increasingly
each workshop.
drifted apart. In the past, children took part in work at home, working in agriculture or carrying out a craft. Vejle Municipality would like to
The result of these efforts has been a piece of interactive furniture
see this connection restored, as it is of great value to both industry
which contains social technology that encourages physical activities
and schools. But it can be used for other purposes as well, such as, for
and cooperation within a new knowledge network. In order to do
instance, language training and in connection with study trips,” says of
something like this statements such as ‘I think’ or ‘ I like’’ are not
Kari Moseng.
sufficient,” Aviaja Borup Lynggaard explains. Galaxen was inaugurated at Engum Skole on 11 January 2013. The piece of spatial furniture and its digital platform will be launched
However, Vejle Municipality is already considering the introduction of a
in March 2013 and will be built as a mock-up at Vinding Skole. It
similar system at other schools.
was developed in collaboration with experts in interactive computing technology and e-learning at Aarhus University and VIA University
Children as partners in design
College, and with suppliers from the IT company DigiTales; the
Aviaja’s project “Children as partners in design” actually consists of
physical design was provided by RUM arkitekter, Aviaja and Kari have
four smaller subprojects:
been managing the process. One was carried out in cooperation with Danish publishing house Galaxen
Egmont, who wanted to involve children in the development of iPad
In a somewhat similar vein, Kari Moseng has created a different kind
apps. In cooperation with Designbørnehuset SanseSlottet, located
of interactive learning environment: Galaxen (the galaxy), which she
in Vonsild near Kolding, she has developed a method for involving
The Research project: ”Kids n’ Tweens”
has developed in close cooperation with Vejle Municipality and Engum
children aged between two and five.
Photo: Henrik Kastenskov
Skole, a small school in the remote countryside located at a great
“The Galaxy”
distance from the nearest place of business.
Another project was carried out in cooperation with Billund Munici-
9 pality, which wanted to introduce public involvement in physical plan-
Finally, she has been given the task of developing tools to facilitate the
ning at the level of children. This has led to the development of a num-
involvement of children and families in the development of Naturama,
ber of design tools, a kind of tool box with cut-and-paste ingredients,
a museum of natural history in Svendborg - the museum wants to
as well as the creation and the qualification of a “task force” consisting
move more of its offers outside into the surrounding nature area.
of five primary school teachers charged with involving children in various future projects. Knowledge acquisition Two projects are about to be implemented:
“The research aspect of the Kids n’ Tweens projects was systematic reflection and knowledge acquisition – an aspect which we add to from
For Labofa, a company that produces furniture, Aviaja has been given
one project to the next. Innovation occurs when you elevate research
the task of developing a toolbox which can be used by designers for
to becoming a practice with a life of its own,” Aviaja Borup Lynggaard
designing the school facilities of the future, as part of the project
concludes.
“Tanker Tager Form” (Giving Form to Thoughts). In the spring of 2013, this project will be part of a two-week course at Studio MAD at the
There can be no doubt that Kids n’ Tweens has contributed new
Aarhus School of Architecture.
knowledge and innovation to the Region of Southern Denmark. EU funding will expire during the month of May 2013, but several efforts towards ensuring that the project is continued have already been made.
“LITiRUM” The Research project: “Kids n’ Tweens” Photo: Henrik Kastenskov
THE BLANK SPACES ON THE MAP By Leif Leer Sørensen
During the Cold War they were non-existing, or at least something
“We are focusing on aspects related to architecture, urban planning
you did not talk about openly: the closed cities and areas which were
and landscape. But it is also a transnational and interdisciplinary
inaccessible to the public. They either had strategic military purposes
project. Historians, museum curators, people working with cultural
or were used for actual military production. The Aarhus School of
heritage, and urban planners from Estonia, Latvia, Sweden and
Architecture is currently heading a research network which, over
Denmark participate in the project. Some of them have been involved
the next two years, will be examining more closely how these towns
with the cold war period and with closed cities and areas for several
and areas can be preserved, communicated and reused. Research
years, but now we will set up a common focus, i.e. building cultural
Professor Niels Albertsen leads this project.
heritage,” the Professor says.
“The Soviet Union had many so-called ‘closed cities or areas’, not least in the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Towns and
Dissonant heritage
areas which were blank spots on the map - did not figure on official
“CLOSED CITIES AND SITES - International and Cross-Disciplinary
maps and had no postal codes. Today they are open to the public, but
Research Network 2012-14”, which is the full title of the project,
to many citizens they are a cause of irritation as symbols of occupation
includes a series of workshops, the first of which will be held at the
and oppression. For this reason they are steadily falling into decay,
University of Lund in Sweden during the spring of 2013. This workshop
and if nothing is done, we risk losing this architectural heritage. But
will focus on the shared theoretical framework of the project:
how can such a task be handled without upsetting the feelings of the
dissonant cultural heritage.
Baltic states? Handled in a way that will help them come to terms with the fact that these closed cities and areas are part of their history.
“Our starting point will be the concept of ‘dissonant heritage’; a
That is the big question,” explains Niels Albertsen.
concept originally proposed by Gregory J. Ashworth, who has been doing research in cultural heritage, urban tourism, urban planning and urban branding for many years. Until 2006 he was employed as a
A new focus
professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and he will
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet
be the main speaker at our first workshop. Among other things, he has
Union, curators in the Baltic Sea Region have taken an interest in the
done work on dissonance in Dutch society; a society where protestants
closed cities: how can this history be told and disseminated? Some
and Roman Catholics have managed to live peacefully side by side,
of these curators are part of the new network of researchers which is
despite differences or disagreements - separately, but together.
The Research Network: “Closed Cities and Sites” - International and Cross-Disciplinary Research Network 2012-14
headed by Professor Albertsen. What is new about this project is that
One might say that the Baltic countries were left with a dissonant
Photo: PhD student Martin Weihe Esbensen
it is primarily concerned with architectural heritage: how can it be
heritage from the Soviet era, we consequently believe that the concept
understood, how can it be documented, and how can it be turned into
of dissonant heritage may provide a way of approaching the closed
something positive for the future.
cities and areas which may give them a future, and, at the same time,
Today the formerly closed city Skrunda in Latvia is abandoned
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13 turn them into places the Balts can live with,” says Niels Albertsen.
that virtually no one knew existed have materialised. Such as, for instance, a huge underground facility in Rold Skov, Denmark’s second largest forested area, which was constructed with the intention of
A field trip
housing the Danish government and the royal family in the event of
This spring, the researchers of the network will be given the
a nuclear war. This is precisely a case where it is, right now, being
opportunity of participating in a field trip to some of the closed cities
discussed how the facility can be communicated and used in the
and areas, to Sillamäe, for instance. This previously closed city,
future”. “Over the next few years the project will be running we hope
located on the northern coast of Estonia, used to be a centre for
to build a strong network of researchers, who by joining forces can
chemical and nuclear military industry. The neo-classical town with its
help shed light on this blacked out heritage and make it part of history
broad boulevards and its large squares aptly reflects the architecture
- turning it into something that can be of use in the future, mentally
of that period, and as it is located by the sea the town presents many
as well as functionally - not least to people who have hated it because
possibilities.
they associated it with retaliation and oppression,” Niels Albertsen concludes.
Klaipedia in Lithuania was the largest European naval base of the former Soviet Union, and home to, among other things, a
FACTS
large military shipbuilding industry. In 1989 the city had 200,000
In the period 2012-14 the project will receive a total funding of approx. DKK 1
inhabitants; a fact which may give you an understanding of just how
million from the Danish Research Council for Research and Communication.
big these ‘blank spots on the map’ could be. The town of Skrunda is
This period includes three workshops and PhD seminars, a field trip, and a
in Latvia; it was built in 1964 to provide radar monitoring and radar
concluding symposium.
warning. Today, Skrunda is left a ghost town, devoid of inhabitants. As something of a Paradox the Latvian government has recently sold the
The steering committee consists of Research Professor Niels Albertsen, Aarhus
city to a Russian investor. So the Russians are back - albeit this time in
School of Architecture; Professor Mats Edström, Lund University, Faculty of
a more commercial version.
Engineering; Professor Simon Bell, Estonian University of Life Sciences and Ugis Bratuskins, Riga Technical University, Museum Curator Peer Henrik Hansen, Koldkrigsmuseum Langelandsfort (a Cold War museum), as well as Network
The formerly closed city of Sillemäe in Estonia is today still mainly inhabited by Russians
Danish blank spaces
Coordinator and PhD Student Martin Weihe Esbensen, Aarhus School of
In Denmark we had our own blank spaces on the map during the cold
Architecture. Other participants from the Aarhus School of Architecture include
war?
Associate Professor Anne-Grete Andersen, Assistant Professor Stefan Darlan Boris
The Research Network: “Closed Cities and Sites” - International and Cross-Disciplinary Research Network 2012-14 Photo: PhD student Martin Weihe Esbensen
and Teaching Associate Professor Thomas Juel Clemmensen.
“Yes, two of them being Langelandsfortet and Stevnsfortet, both of which are today Cold War museums. During the Cold War these areas were inaccessible to most people. And since then different facilities
http://closed-cities.aarch.dk
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NEW RESEARCHERS 2012 Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen:
Timothy Merritt:
Assistant Professor, PhD
Assistant Professor, PhD
PhD from Aarhus School of Architecture 2008 with the
PhD from National University of Singapore 2012 with the
thesis Architecture in "the public image"
thesis “A Failure of Imagination: How and why people respond differently to human and computer team-mates.
Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen investigates experience as a
Former Senior Consultant at Siemens IT Solutions and
parameter in the creation and design of architecture with a
Services
special focus on contemporary museum architecture. How can the physical framework be designed in such a way that it
Timothy Merritt’s research focuses on understanding
matches today’s exhibition concept based on experience and
differences in experience, perception and behaviour that
interactions related to feelings and moods – as an interaction
occur when people interact with humans as compared to
between the person who experiences, architecture and the
computers. This has involved extensive investigation of
exhibited? The aim of this research is to explore the potential
players engaged in fast-paced cooperative games and game-
for bringing about an understanding of the work which is
like situations. This research is relevant to understanding
based on this type of relations.
what people want and how they react to technologyenhanced products and spaces - an exciting future direction
Susan Carruth:
is to examine human needs and reactions to "smart" spaces
PhD fellow
and augmented physical objects.
M.Arch. from University of Strathclyde 2004. Former associate with Piercy & Co. /Piercy Conner Architects,
Niels Martin Larsen:
London
Assistant Professor, PhD PhD from Aarhus School of Architecture 2012 with the thesis
Susan Carruth’s PhD-project is called “Energy, territory &
Generative Algorithmic Techniques for Architectural Design
place” and explores potential infrastructural landscapes created by the energy evolution. Focusing on renewable
Niels Martin Larsen is engaged in developing algorithmic
energy in northern Europe, it examines the experiential and
methods which can be used in architecture and in
systemic characteristics of potential energy plans and the
manufacturing through digital production technologies. His
impact they might have on landscapes and the people that
research is concerned with how the processing capabilities of
The Research project: Experience as an Architectural Parameter of Design and Creation - on affect and relationality in contemporary museum
live in them. It will suggest strategies for sensitively and
the computer could be used in a more direct way for creating
architecture”.
creatively planning such large-scale civil engineering, knitting
new architectural patterns, formations and structures.
it into broader sustainable planning.
Methods which will make it possible for architects to handle
Photo: Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen, Assistant Professor, PhD
a higher degree of complexity while maintaining control with geometric aspects.
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PHD DEGREES 2012 Maiken Hillerup Fogtmann:
Mette Volf:
Designing with the Body in Mind – Kinaesthetic Empathy
Når nogen ler, er der noget på spil (When Someone Laughs
Interaction
Something Is at Stake)
In her PhD dissertation Maiken Hillerup Fogtmann engages
In her PhD dissertation Mette Volf focuses on the design
with the possibility of promoting physical interaction between
process as a social construct for which humour plays a crucial
people through the design of interactive systems.
role.
To give an example, participants in Wii games use their
There is an interaction between creativity and humour which
bodies to control the avatar on the screen and their
is of great importance to the design process, and which has
movements are registered and translated by the computer,
the potential to influence the formal power structure of a
this is known as kinaesthetic interaction, but as participants
design team. A person who raises critical issues and who
are placed next to each other, they only have a peripheral
insists on examining problems over and over would in many
sense of each other’s actual movements - in a manner of
other disciplines be thought of as a nuisance as he or she
speaking they are not playing with each other but with the
continues to challenge what is going on, but actually this
computer and its display, which they have visually become
person is in charge, as he or she controls the development of
completely dependent on. Maiken investigates how the
the process.
physical connection between multiple participants can be made to play a greater role.
Mette points out that the use of humour can be a creative strategy - humour may for instance be used for coming up
She has developed two prototypes for games that operate
with ideas which are different or creative – it can also be
without a display, and she has investigated in what way
used as a social strategy for e.g. positioning yourself, or for
interactive tools can be used to promote interaction between
ensuring that you or others do not lose face.
users to further learning and physical skills.
As a result of her PhD project Mette Volfs makes available an analytical apparatus that makes understanding the
Her PhD project has resulted in a design taxonomy which
design process as a social construction possible. This allows
integrates a number of important considerations for
practicing designers to learn more about the influence social
interaction designers who wish to incorporate physical
relationships and social interactions may have on design
PhD thesis: “Designing with the Body in Mind” by Maiken Hillerup Fogtmann
relationships between several people in their work. In her
processes - and consequently on the final artefacts. Her
Photo: Maiken Hillerup Fogtmann
taxonomy she identifies a number of issues that interaction
PhD dissertation makes it possible to address the silent
designers ought to take as their basis for designing products
knowledge of the architectural and design profession,
for multiple simultaneous users, and it also provides a tool
including aesthetic preferences and the shared understanding
for working with kinaesthetic empathy interaction in practice.
of what the creation of form and design means.
BodyQuake – a computer-based playground tool
19 Solvej Colfelt:
Grith Bech-Nielsen:
Wayfinding på danske hospitaler (Wayfinding at Danish
Restaurering versus instaurering og transstaurering
Hospitals)
(Restoration Versus Instauration and Transstauration)
The subject of Solvej Colfelt’s PhD dissertation is finding your
In her PhD dissertation Grith Bech-Nielsen problematizes the
way around large, complex hospital building projects.
complicity of professional settings and the fact that decisions pertaining to the assessment, valuation and processing of
The accessibility of a hospital depends on the messages it
architectural heritage are based on opinions. She calls for
sends as a public place. If a user does not feel safe and taken
greater objectivity and linguistic accuracy in the profession.
care of, he or she will find it difficult to orient themselves.
Herlev Hospital
And if the hospital complex does not provide its users with
She examines the way three central architectural
the means of orienting themselves, for instance by means
theoreticians argue their positions by taking a closer look at
of lines of view, overviews, and clear landmarks at choice
how they use linguistic effects to hide the subjective aspects
points, users will feel insecure and show a tendency to lose
of their presentations, thus making “opinions” appear as
their way.
objective premises.
Solvej Colfelt has attempted to verify four parameters in
This is, in her opinion, also the case when the architectural
three Danish hospital complexes: Plan configuration which is
profession and custodians of cultural heritage make decisions
concerned with how the many spatial aspects of a building
and formulate guidelines regarding, for instance, preservation
complex are connected. Signage involves internal signage
cases. This is fully legitimate, but it should be made
and directions by means of arrows, walking lines on floors,
clear that it is a matter of opinions and not scientifically
pictographs, etc. Differentiation is about colours, materials,
substantiated insights. In writing her dissertation Grith
the admittance of light, the arrangement of windows, artistic
wants to contribute to achieving a greater awareness of
decorations – all design elements which, when combined,
the arguments that are used in the profession and to help
have the potential to create variety and diversity in a
develop a stronger theoretical and methodological framework
building. Views is about the possibility of orienting yourself
as well as an unambiguous language.
by using landmarks and in relation to the points of the compass.
PhD thesis: “Way-finding at Dansih Hospitals” by Solvej Colfelt Photo: Solvej Colfelt
In her dissertation she concludes that there is a complex interaction between many different parameters and parameters other than lay out and signage. What is most important is that the plan arrangement should contain as few choicepoints as possible and that they can be taken in throughout the entire wayfinding process.
21 Aviaja Borup Lynggaard:
Niels Martin Larsen:
Homing Interactions – Tactics and Concepts for Highly Mobile
Generative Algorithmic Techniques for Architectural Design
People Niels Martin Larsen has done research in how digital tools In her industrial PhD project Aviaja Borup Lynggaard
in architectural design can be used for other purposes than
examines how highly mobile people can create a feeling of
pure representation and specification, i.e. as more efficient
home as they constantly travel around the world, commute,
versions of corresponding manual tools.
or move back and forth between different homes.
Recent developments allow architects to use computing as such in the design process - thus creating geometry instead
Based on empirical studies she introduces a taxonomy
of drawing it ‘manually’. At the same time, information
which includes a total of seven tactics that mobile people
needed for production is generated, resulting in new
use to achieve a feeling of homeliness. One such strategy is
possibilities of establishing smooth flows between digital form
Connecting: keeping in touch over distance – a concept on
generation and realisation.
which she has based her design experiments. Computer-based design techniques make possible the For business partner Bang & Olufsen she has designed
creation of unique architecture which it would otherwise
prototypes for interactive products and services that help
not be humanly possible to produce as such techniques are
people achieve a sense of homeliness outside their primary
capable of handling a high degree of complexity, in terms of
homes. This includes MusicLink, a product concerned
both geometry and functionality. Architects, however, still
with creating a sense of fellowship and intimacy over
define the parameters and rules that result in the generation
long distances using synchronous music playback and
of geometry.
HomeAwareness, a more abstract project which makes it possible to create an emotional connection to a different
The dissertation of Niels Martin Larsen is precisely a stage
place by reproducing the atmosphere of this location by
step in the development of the way algorithmic techniques
means of sound, light and temperature.
can be used for creating architecture in completely new ways that merge various parameters and intentions used for
Algorithms describing the movement patterns of bird flocks can form the basis for facade constructions
creating form - techniques inspired, for instance, by models developed in the natural sciences.
PhD thesis: “Generative Algorithmic Techniques for Architectural Design” by Niels Martin Larsen Photo: Niels Martin Larsen
23
RESEARCHERS AND PROJECTS Architectural Experiment through Representations
Digital Tectonics
Tom Nielsen, Associate Professor: Contemporary Urban Development.
Anne Elisabeth Toft, Associate Professor: Representations of Architecture.
Karl Christiansen, Professor: The Tectonics of Architecture.
Jørgen Dehs, Associate Professor: Theory of Architecture and Art.
Claus Peder Pedersen, Associate Professor, Head of Research: Digital Tectonics.
(resigned 2012)
Architectural Workshop
Kristian Agger, Associate Professor: Digital Construction.
Carlo Volf, PhD Fellow: Light and Well-being.
Charlotte Bundgaard, Associate Professor: Tectonic Sustainable Building Culture in the Perspective of Industrialisation.
Urban Landscape Niels Albertsen, Professor: Strategic urban research.
Nordic Perspectives
Niels Martin Larsen, PhD Fellow/Assistant Professor: Generative Algorithmic
Stefan Darlan Boris, Assistant Professor: Landscape, Architecture and Transfor-
Louise Grønlund, PhD Fellow: Light’s Space – the spatial potential of the facade.
Techniques for Architectural Design. (PhD Project completed in 2012)
mation.
Sebastian Gmelin, PhD Fellow: Complex Geometry.
Technology and Practice
Thomas Juel Clemmensen, Teaching Associate Professor: Urban landscapes and
Asbjørn Søndergaard, PhD Fellow: Computed Morphologies.
planning.
Per Kortegaard, Associate Professor: BIM and Integrated Product Delivery Systems
Ole Egholm Pedersen, PhD Fellow: The Tectonic Potential of Concrete – now and
Anders Toft, Part-time Teacher: Danish Train Station Towns.
David Kjøller, PhD Fellow: The House as an Integrated Product Delivery System.
in the future.
Martin Odgaard, PhD Fellow: Landscape-related Urban Models.
Architectural Heritage
Context
Lars Nicolai Bock, Associate Professor: Documenting Building Cultural Heritage
Leif Høgsfeldt, Associate Professor: Architectural History and Culture.
Anne-Grete Andersen, Associate Professor:The Mapping and Architectural Planning
Thomas Hilberth, Assistant Professor: Territorialisation, War and Security Archi-
of Valuable Cultural Environments .
tecture.
Louise Kjær Christoffersen, Post Doc Fellow: Coastal Qualities.
Nina Ventzel Riis, PhD Fellow: Documenting Architectural Heritage.
Materiality and Spatial Experiment
Sonja Marie Overgaard, PhD Student:The Buildings for Agriculture and Breeding of
Anders Gammelgaard, Associate Professor:The Importance of Materials to the
Manors/ The Agricultural and Breeding Buildings of Manors.
Architectural Creation of Form and Space.
Susan Jayne Carruth, PhD Fellow: Energy, Territory & Place. Martin Weihe Esbensen, PhD Fellow: Costal Culture and Its Future. Marie Markman, PhD Fellow: The Limitless City – the limitless landscape.
Gert Bech-Nielsen, Professor: Digital Photogrammetry.
Spatial Intelligence
Distribution across destination of occupation 2012
Professors
Assistant prof./post. docs
Associate Pofessors
PhD fellows
Other researchers
Development in full-time equivalents
Design
Niels Nygaard, Teaching Associate Professor: Residential Life and Types of Dwell-
Development in research positions and full-time equivalents
Jørgen Rasmussen, Associate Professor: Strategic Design.
ings – potential for development in suburbs.
During 2012 a large number of associate professors, who until now
Birgitte Geert Jensen, Associate Professor: User-Driven innovation, Inclusive Design.
Lena Kondrup Sørensen, Associate Professor: Storage – on living with things.
Peter Gall Krogh, Professor: Design in Complex systems.
Karen Olesen, Associate Professor: Habitation.
have been the largest group of researchers at the Aarhus School of
Kätte Bønløkke, Associate Professor: Light and Light Design.
Mads Tolstrup, Associate Professor: The Art of Buildings.
Jan Fugl, Associate Professor: Light and Light Design.
Peter Dahl, Associate Professor: Typologies of the Urban Building and the Art of
had reached the lowest level ever and is now surpassed by the number
Mie Nørgaard, Assistant Professor: Interaction Design.
Juxtaposing to Create Wholes.
of PhD fellows, which has not changed over the last year.
Timothy Merritt, Assistant Professor: Responses to Technology/Agents.
Poul Bæk Pedersen, Associate Professor: Compact Structures, Flow and Trans-
Martin Ludvigsen, Associate Professor: Technology and Digital Design.
formation.
Architecture, has retired and at the beginning of 2013 their number
16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
Although the development in the full-time equivalents of associate
(resigned 2012) Tina Holm Sørensen, Research Assistant: Kids’ n Tweens Lifestyle.
Sustainability
(resigned 2012)
Boris Brorman Jensen, Associate Professor: Urbanism and Architectural Theory.
Kari Moseng, Research Assistant and Rune Clausen, Research Assistant: Kids’ n
Inge Vestergaard, Associate Professor: Sustainable Transformation – the sustain-
Tweens Lifestyle.
able facade, daylight, energy and well-being.
Richard Herriott, PhD Student: Accessibility Through User-centered Design and
Terri Peters, PhD Fellow: Strategies in Sustainable Building Transformation.
Inclusive Design Processes.
professors has also declined it does not show an equally dramatic fall but a decline parallel to that of the PhD fellows.
Development in research positions 40 35 30
All this illustrates a concentration of resources on fewer researchers due to a number of retirements amongst the research staff. Actions
Sofie Kinch, PhD Student: Changing Atmospheres in Interaction Design.
The Theory and History of Architecture
Aviaja Borup Lynggaard, PhD Fellow /Research Assistant: On the Move - creating
Erik Werner Petersen, Professor: Immanence in Deleuzian and Chinese philoso-
domesticity through experience design (completed 2012)/ Kids’ n Tweens lifestyle.
phy.
in the near future in order to strengthen and expand the research
Solvej Colfelt, PhD Fellow: Wayfinding at Danish Hospitals.
Annette Svaneklink, Assistant Professor: Architectural Creation and Design
community of the School.
(completed 2012)
Parameters.
have been taken to announce vacant positions that focus on research
25 20 15 10 5 0 2007
2008
2009
RESEARCH CENTRES AND NETWORKS Center for Strategic Urban Research in cooperation with University of Copenhagen and Aalborg University. Funded by Realdania Closed Cities and Sites – an International and Cross-Disciplinary Research Network. Funded by the Danisk Research Council for Research and Communication
“Livsstil Bolig og Beklædning” (Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing) – an innovative network in cooperation with, among others, Udviklingscenter for Møbler og Træ (a development centre for furniture and wood). Funded by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Terminated 31.12.12
Consortium for Strategic Design Funded by Danish Center for Design Research Terminated 31.12.12
”LysnET”. A professional network connecting a great many researchers and research institutions in Denmark and Norway as well as a number of private companies. Funded by Velux and Velfac
Danish Center for Design Research in cooperation with Kolding School of Design and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture and School of Design, Copenhagen Terminated 31.12.12
“Nordes” a Scandinavian design research cooperation with participation of the Department of Design as well as schools of architecture and design from other Scandinavian countries
“Dansk Center for Herregårdsforskning” (a Danish centre for research in manor farm buildings) in Gl. Estrup. Funded by Realdania Dansk Lys – Lys i byen (Danish Lighting / Light in the city). An innovative network under the Danish Lighting Centre. Member of the consortium European Association for Architectural Education Digital Crafting – a network which cooperates with the School of Architecture - The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Funded by the Danish Agency for Science Technology and Innovation Terminated February 2012
Kitchen garden at Nørreport The PhD project: ”The Limitless Landscape” by Marie Markman Photo: PhD fellow Marie Markman
PIT STOP – knowledge refuel for creative enterprises Terminated 31.12.12 ”Renord” – a Scandinavian research network focusing on sustainable modernisation of the housing stock built after 1945 Partnership agreement with SmartCity - a commercially operating foundation: development of the building industry and related professions ”Systemleverancer i byggeriet” (Systems Deliveries Within Construction) - a research network comprising the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and The Royal Danish Art Academy for Fine Arts focusing on strengthening and qualifying the development and application of systems deliveries in Danish construction. Funded by Realdania Terminated 31.10.12
25
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
PUF – Practice/Education/Research and Practice/Development/Profession, seminar on cooperation, Aarhus School of Architecture (4 January)
Increase in peer-reviewed Publications
Space as a Pedagogical Ally – the Layout of Day Care Centres, symposium under the project “Play and Learning” – Kids n’ Tweens Lifestyle”, Spinderihallerne in Vejle (27 April)
The development in the distribution across peer reviewed and nonreviewed publications from Aarhus School of Architecture shows a
27 Publications 120
significant tendency. From 2007 until 2012 there has been an overall Futoriet, a Conference in Search of Creativity and Experiences in Business Development, Danish Centre for Design Research (28 January) Communicating with Children, symposium under the project “Play and Learning” – Kids n’ Tweens Lifestyle”, Spinderihallerne in Vejle (9 February) Seminars on Integrated Product Deliveries, Forskningsnetværket Systemleverancer i Byggeriet (the research network: integrated product deliveries in the building sector), KA, AAA and DTO, respectively (8, 22 and 29 February) Open Here, conference on user-friendly packaging, Aarhus School of Architecture (8 March) Model/Method/Process, Seminar on architectural representation, Aarhus School of Architecture (22 March) Service Innovation Management, Seminar within the innovation network: Service Platformen (16 April) From Idea to Product, feature day for Plastindustriens Designklub (the Design Club of the Danish Plastics Federation), Aarhus School of Architecture (26 April) UPGRADE’ 12, conference on architectural quality in the future conservation of architectural heritage, Aarhus School of Architecture (26 – 28 April)
Landscape Infrastructures: The Development of New Urban Nature, Seminar, Aarhus School of Architecture (24 May) Open Land: Agriculture and Landscape in Municipal Planning, Dansk Byplanlaboratorium (Danish Town Planning Institute), Klarskovgaard. Assistant Professor Stefan Darlan Boris was a member of the planning committee (30 May) Framework for Learning in the ‘Folkeskole’ (the Danish municipal primary and lower-secondary school) of the Future, Seminar on learning spaces under the project “Play and Learning – Kids n’ Tweens Lifestyle”, VIA UC, Aarhus (30 May) PitStop, final seminar on Business Modelling in creative companies, Korsør (11 – 12 June) BIM Finland, conference, Aarhus School of Architecture (20 September) The New Wave in Danish Architecture, mini-seminar in connection with book launch, Aarhus School of Architecture (27 September) How Can Architectural Practice use the Research of the Aarhus School of Architecture? Seminar on the potential for cooperation between research and practice, Aarhus School of Architecture (28 September) Instant Urbanism: Temporal Art and Architecture in Urban Environments, the network ‘Instant Urbanism’, the Utzon Center, Aalborg. Associate Professor Tom Nielsen was a member of the group of initiators (2 October)
decline in the number of non-reviewed publication, whereas the number of peer reviewed publications has increased in the same
100
80
period, and for the first time it surpasses the number of non-reviewed publications.
60
40
This might be seen as an indication of the increasing possibilities for architecture- and design researchers to publish in peer reviewed media and of the growing consolidation of architectural and design research as an academic field. Locally it could also be a manifestation of the deliberate support from the Research Committee of the School to engage in peer reviewed activities.
20
0 2007
2008
2009
Non-reviewed
2010
2011
Reviewed
2012
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