An Ambitious Architecture Policy

The intention of an architectural policy is to promote the quality of the planning and construction of buildings. The concept of "quality" cannot be defined as one particular attitude to architecture and its surroundings, but rather as a mindset and an approach; in the words of the British architect Norman Foster: ”Quality is never about money, rather, it is an attitude of mind.”

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Architectural objectives

In other words, the question of what is good quality must be the subject of an on-going debate. An architectural policy cannot therefore define once and for all what good quality is, but provide a framework that makes it possible to work towards achieving a high level of quality.

When architecture and quality are linked to politics, this means that society – represented by politicians – draws up objectives for architecture, makes priorities, distributes resources and decides on the measures necessary in order to heighten the quality of what is being planned and built. Put another way, politics is about wanting to achieve something – i.e. that society, through the intervention of the state, has ambitions in the field of architecture.

13 ministries involved in architectural policy

In August 2009, the government, represented by 13 ministries, presented the policy-planning document "arkitektur.ow". This document will be followed up by The Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the other 12 ministries that have participated in the work involved.

The architectural policy sets out a wide definition of the concept of architecture. In the broad sense of the word, "architecture" embraces all manmade environments. This broad definition means that a significant part of state sector authorities will be key players in the work to promote good architecture.

Main challenges

The policy document describes 3 main challenges facing the field of architecture:

• The challenge posed by sustainability and climate change
• The challenge posed by changes and transformations
• The challenge posed by knowledge and innovation

Areas of investment

Based on these 3 challenges the governmental policy for architecture has drawn up the following 6 investment areas:

• Architecture is to be characterised by environment-friendly and energy-friendly solutions
• Towns and populated areas are to be developed by means of good-quality architecture
• The State is to be responsible for taking care of our cultural environment and building heritageKnowledge, expertise and the dissemination of information are to raise the quality of architecture
• The State is to go forward as a good example
  Norwegian architecture is to be visible in an international context.

Norsk Form - The Norwegian Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway acts as special advisor to the Ministry of Culture in the field of architecture and design. We play a key role in the implementation of the architectural policy and will maintain contacts with specialists in the field on behalf of the Ministry of Culture.

Norsk Form - The Norwegian Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway is to evaluate the work carried out by means of annual seminars. In collaboration with relevant players, we will in particular follow up certain measures described in the government's policy planning document "arkitektur.now":

• City Lab
• Barnetråkk - Digital charting project for children's tracks
• Health and the environment – the senior citizens of tomorrow
• Further development of DogA , the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture
• The Oslo Architecture Triennial
• Europan
• Wild-card scheme to promote up-and-coming architects