Architectural Association School of Architecture Facts for Kids

"Architectural Association" redirects here. For other uses, see Architectural Association (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Architectural Association
School of Architecture

Motto	Design with Beauty, Build in Truth
Type	Independent
Established	1847; 178 years ago (1847)
President	Catherine du Toit
Director	Ingrid Schroder (from August 2022)
Undergraduates	562 (2023)
Postgraduates	361 (2023)
Location	London (main) , United Kingdom

The Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, often called the AA, is the oldest private school for architecture in the UK. It's a place where students learn to design buildings. The AA also holds art shows, talks, and publishes books about architecture.

History of the AA School
- Girls and Women at the AA
What Students Learn at the AA
- Why the AA is Special
Books and Publications
Gallery
Famous People Who Studied at the AA
Past Directors of the School
Notable Teachers at the AA
See also

History of the AA School

Plaque beside the entrance

The Architectural Association was started in 1847. Back then, young people learned architecture by working as apprentices for older architects. This system wasn't always fair or good for learning.

Two students, Robert Kerr and Charles Gray, thought there should be a better way. They suggested a proper training course run by the students themselves. In May 1847, their idea became real when the Architectural Association held its first meeting in London. Robert Kerr was the first president.

AA Bedford Square premises

The AA School officially opened in 1890. In 1917, it moved to its current home in Bedford Square, central London. The school has also added other buildings in London and a large site called Hooke Park in Dorset.

Many famous people have visited or spoken at the AA. These include well-known architects like Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, and Richard Rogers.

Girls and Women at the AA

Girls were first allowed to study at the AA School in 1917, during World War I. Before this, only boys could attend. Some of the first women to join were Ruth Gollancz and Winifred Ryle.

After World War II, many talented women architects and writers studied at the AA. These included Zaha Hadid and Janet Street-Porter. In 2017, the school celebrated 100 years since women first joined with a special program called AAXX. A book was also published about women at the AA.

What Students Learn at the AA

The AA School offers different programs for students. There are undergraduate programs, which are like a first degree in architecture. There are also postgraduate programs for students who want to study more deeply. These include special courses like Landscape Urbanism and Sustainable Environmental Design.

The teachers at the AA are often architects from famous international design firms. They are chosen new each year, which keeps the teaching fresh and full of new ideas.

Why the AA is Special

The AA School is different because it's an independent school. This means it's not part of the government-funded university system in the UK. It also doesn't use the main application system that most UK universities use. Because it's independent, the AA doesn't appear in university rankings.

Many students from all over the world come to study at the AA. It has a higher number of international students compared to other architecture schools in the UK.

Books and Publications

The AA has its own bookshop with many books about architecture. It also has a publishing house called AA Publications. They often publish works by architects and artists early in their careers.

AA Publications creates a journal called AA Files. They also produce the Projects Review each year. This book shows all the amazing work done by students at the school, from beginners to advanced students. The AA also used to have its own radio station!