Between Art and Technology
The New Architectural Education at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm 1872–1886
Time: Fri 2026-05-22 13.00
Location: F3 (Flodis), Lindstedtsvägen 26 & 28, Stockholm
Video link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/64466233140
Language: Swedish
Subject area: Architecture, History and Theory of Architecture
Doctoral student: Ola Svenle , Arkitektur, kultur och miljö
Opponent: Docent Anders Houltz, Centrum för Näringslivshistoria
Supervisor: Professor Katja Grillner, Arkitektur, kultur och miljö; Tekn. dr Anders Bergström, Arkitektur, kultur och miljö
QC 20260428
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the reformation of Swedish architectural education that took place at both the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm from the 1870s. This reformation was based on a committee report, and ratified by the Swedish Parliament. The result was that the existing, first level at the Academy was closed, and was succeeded by the newly established KTH School of Architecture in 1877. The second level at the Academy was preserved, however, as a higher level of education.
The thesis is designed as a case study within critical historiography, and structured according to the hypothesis that the reformation of architectural education involved KTH and the Academy in a systematic relationship. Beside the introduction, and the concluding discussion, the thesis consists of three main chapters. The first chapter deals with the committee report, from 1872 until the decision was taken by the Parliament in 1876. The second chapter deals with the KTH School of Architecture, from its beginning in 1877 to the examination of its first students in 1882. The third chapter deals with the higher education at the Academy, starting with its first students enrolled from KTH in 1879, until their final examination travels in 1886.
The reason for this reformation was that the committee identified a need for a more scientifically based education for architects in the emerging Swedish industrial society. Hence, the first and second year at KTH were characterized by many different subjects within the polytechnics. But the third and fourth year developed a resemblance with the teaching at the Academy, and the result was not as polytechnic as could be expected, but rather balanced between art and technology. Teaching at the Academy, on the other hand, introduced issues of conservation, and the importance of local field trips, beside traditional travels in Europe. As the first level was open only for men who had passed the matriculation exam, the recruitment of architects became limited. Finally, the reformation resulted in an exclusive system of architectural education, quite contrary to the expansive strategy of the late 20th century.