Architectural Association School of Architecture facts for kids
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| Motto | Design with Beauty, Build in Truth |
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| Type | Independent |
| Established | 1847 |
| President | Catherine du Toit |
| Director | Ingrid Schroder (from August 2022) |
| Undergraduates | 562 (2023) |
| Postgraduates | 361 (2023) |
| Location |
London (main)
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The Architectural Association School of Architecture, often called the AA, is a famous school in London. It is the oldest private school in the UK where you can learn about architecture. The AA also holds many interesting events like exhibitions, talks, and publishes books about architecture.
Contents
History of the AA School
The Architectural Association started in 1847. Back then, young men usually learned architecture by working as apprentices for experienced 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 to train future architects.
They suggested a proper training course, taught by students themselves. After joining with another group, the first official meeting of the Architectural Association happened in May 1847 in London. Robert Kerr became its first president.
The AA School officially opened in 1890. It moved to different places in London before settling in its current home in Bedford Square in 1917. The school also has other buildings in London and a large outdoor site called Hooke Park in Dorset.
Many famous people have visited or studied at the AA. In the past, John Ruskin and George Gilbert Scott gave talks. More recently, well-known architects like Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, and David Chipperfield (who studied there) have been involved.
Girls and Women at the AA
For a long time, only boys and men could attend the AA School. But during World War I, in 1917, girls and women were finally allowed to join as students. This was a big step forward! Some of the first women to study at the AA included Ruth Lowy, Winifred Ryle, Irene Graves, and Gillian Harrison.
After World War II, many talented women architects and writers studied at the AA. These included Zaha Hadid, Patti Hopkins, and Janet Street-Porter.
In 2017, the AA celebrated 100 years since women first joined. They had a special year-long program called AAXX. A book called AA Women in Architecture 1917–2017 was also published to mark this important history.
What Students Learn
The AA School offers different types of courses. There are undergraduate programs for students just starting out. These lead to the AA Diploma, which is an important step to becoming a qualified architect in the UK (RIBA/ARB Part 2).
There are also postgraduate programs for students who want to study more deeply. These include special courses like Landscape Urbanism, Housing and Urbanism, and Sustainable Environmental Design. The school's teachers often come from leading international architecture firms. This helps keep the teaching fresh and exciting.
Independent School Status
The AA School is an independent school. This means it is not part of the government-funded university system in the UK. It also doesn't use the UCAS application system, which most UK universities use.
Because it is independent, the AA doesn't appear in regular university rankings. Many students from all over the world choose to study at the AA, even more than at some other architecture schools in the UK.
Bookshop and Publications
The AA has its own bookshop. It sells many books about architecture. The school also has its own publishing house called AA Publications. They publish books by new and famous architects, artists, and thinkers. Even famous author Salman Rushdie has been published by them!
AA Publications also creates a journal called AA Files. They also publish the Projects Review every year. This book shows all the amazing work done by students at the school, from their first year to their final projects. The school even had its own radio station once!
Gallery
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DRL10 Pavilion
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AA Gallery
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Architectural Association School of Architecture
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AA Intermediate Unit 2 'Swoosh' pavilion, 2008
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Inside the AA
Famous People Who Studied at the AA
Many talented people have studied at the Architectural Association. Here are some of them:
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Past Directors of the School
Here are some of the people who have led the AA School as directors:
- Howard Robertson (1929–35)
- Alvin Boyarsky (1971–90)
- Alan Balfour (1991–95)
- Mohsen Mostafavi (1995–2004)
- Brett Steele (2005–2017)
- Samantha Hardingham (interim, 2017–18)
- Eva Franch i Gilabert (2018–2020)
Notable Teachers at the AA
Many well-known architects and thinkers have taught at the AA School. Here are some of them:
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See also
In Spanish: Architectural Association School of Architecture para niños
