Norwegian Architecture, Urban Planning and Design

About

Course content

This course provides a theoretical overview of the key historical developments and on-going contemporary debates in Norwegian architecture and design.

The interplay between architecture, city planning and design, and the specific Norwegian cultural, economic, and political environment in which they are practiced as applied design disciplines, is a central focus for exploration and discussion in the course. Norway’s role within overlapping Scandinavian, European, and increasingly global, contexts is also explored through the study of key international developments and the impact of these upon Norwegian architectural, city planning, and design discourse.

The City of Oslo especially (considered in terms of its key historic and contemporary buildings, cultural institutions, public space and contrasting urban environments) is actively used as a ‘living classroom’ for exploration of these issues and the wider questions that the issues subsequently raise.

Course leader

Paul Woodville

Target group

Bachelor's course

Formal prerequisite knowledge

No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.

Course aim

Learning outcome

Students taking this course will develop skills in analyzing, discussing, and reflecting upon historical and contemporary debates in architecture, city planning, sustainable urbanism, and design, as related to the Norwegian context. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of the significant role that architecture and design have historically played (and continue to play) in terms of ‘nation-building’ and the promotion of cultural identity in Norway and Scandinavia.

Fee info