Working Group
Architecture, Art and Design of Academic Institutions
Chairs
- Bjørn Johansen, b.v.johansen@khm.uio.no
- Matthieu Mensch, mensch@unistra.fr
Workshop at Universeum Conference 2026 in Coimbra
About
The architecture, art on architecture and the design of academic institutions can play a key role in the understanding of our academic heritage. Purpose-built or accessed, buildings carry numerous contexts or even symbolic meanings. They can be part of a local or national identity. The architecture of academia can contain integrated artworks or be admired as work of art itself. In many cases, architectural heritage is seen as unique assets to their institutions.
However, architecture, commissioned art in and on buildings as well as interiors – whole campuses, even – do also face the danger of neglect or impetuous redesign. Changes in taste as well as in methods of teaching and scientific infrastructure often create a demand for renewal. In the most dramatic cases, this makes way for processes of demolishing or selling buildings. In other cases, historical values are greatly reduced or lost. Also, the meaning of in-house artwork or historical collections can be lost or blurred.
The working group aims to create an awareness about architecture, site specific art and design as a part of academic heritage. We want to discuss and explore how architecture facilitates academic life and how it can be relevant for research, teaching and public outreach. The group should be a place for sharing experiences. One of its main purposes will be to offer support and advice in cases where architecture or art is threatened or at risk. Another is to encourage discussions about how to enhance this form of academic heritage, make it accessible, visible and understandable to all.