Institute of Form, Theory and History
Studies at The Institute of Form, Theory and History (FTH) revolve around three focal points: 1) the architectural practice, 2) architectural history, and 3) preservation. By engaging in the full spectre of architecture, FTH enables a free transmission of ideas across traditional boundaries: past and present, theory-practice, fiction-reality, etc.
FTH has a high international standing and maintains a broad institutional and personal network. The FTH faculty — including about 30 architects, architectural historians, artists, and philosophers — teaches at all academic levels, from the first year studio via Master's studios, elective courses and diploma level, to the PhD programme. Additionally, FTH offers a post-professional Master of Architectural Conservation.
Courses at FTH are closely linked to the architectural practice and to ongoing research conducted within the Oslo Centre for Critical Architectural Studies (OCCAS).
The first year studio introduces the students to the complexity of architecture and includes courses in freehand drawing, workshop practices, computer-aided design, material technology and architecture, art, and design history.
The practice-based Master’s studies include studios on preservation and transformation, experimental studios focused on methods and forms of expression, as well as more traditional, program-driven design studios.
The research-based studios focus on architectural history and historiography, design history, drawing, critical conservation and transformation of historical structures, contemporary architecture, in addition to museums, models, and architectural exhibitions. FTH offers a wide variety of elective courses, spanning from classes on history, theory, and literature to classes on traditional building technology, book production, and more.