NEWS At the end of January, Umeå School of Architecture assumed responsibility as host of Arkitekturakademin ("The Architecture Academy") in connection with the platform’s annual meeting in Umeå.
Arkitekturakademin (translated: The Architecture Academy) is a national collaboration platform where Sweden’s architecture schools work together on education, research, and outreach. The network includes Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, SLU Landscape, and Umeå University. Together, the schools share the responsibility to develope architecture as an academic field in Sweden.
Collaboration between the schools of architecture has been ongoing for a long time and covers key issues in education and research, as well as the annual architecture admission test (Arkitektprovet). An important milestone was Formas’ investment in architectural research and doctoral education in 2011. Following the adoption of Sweden’s architecture policy Gestaltad livsmiljö, the Architecture Academy established a strategic committee in 2019 to strengthen and coordinate the collaboration. In 2024, further steps were taken to formalise the cooperation.
The role of host/coordinator for the Architecture Academy rotates among the participating institutions and usually runs for two-year periods. During 2024–2025, Chalmers has served as host, with a focus on building the platform’s basic structures and networks.
On 21 January, the Architecture Academy held its annual meeting at Umeå School of Architecture (UMA), Umeå University. At the meeting, the hosting responsibility was formally handed over from Chalmers to UMA.
Ebba Högström, Professor at UMA, serves as Head of Operations for the
Ebba Högström, Professor at Umeå School of Architecture at Umeå University and Head of Operations for Arkitekturakademin for 2026–2027.
ImageSimon Öhman JonssonArchitecture Academy during Umeå University’s hosting period.
– It is both an exciting and important task for UMA to serve as host of the Architecture Academy over the next two years. It is very valuable to have a shared arena for collaboration between the schools of architecture, and Chalmers has laid a strong foundation for us to build on. Not least when it comes to how architecture as an academic field can contribute to societal development. I look forward to continuing this work together, says Ebba Högström.