WHY NORDMAK?

Below you will find statements by current and former NORDMAK students, explaining how they have benefitted from the programme.

Christian Ebbesen, architect, Arkitektskap as, Norway
“I use the knowledge the programme has given me in my daily work, in both projects and in my capacity as manager of Arkitektskap as. I have been able to introduce new perspectives and analytical methods into my work, for the benefit of the projects. I have also benefitted greatly from the Nordic network I have become a part of. This network has enabled Arkitektskap as to start cooperating with several of the other students and the companies that employ them. I warmly recommend NORDMAK.”

Trine Neble, architect, Erik Møller, Denmark
“Most importantly, the programme really challenged my professional skills. I do not think being a restoration architect has become any easier, on the contrary. On the other hand, my experience is that I can use quite a lot of what I have learnt from NORDMAK in my everyday life. NORDMAK has given me a variety of tools I can work with, I have improved my skills for communicating and arguing my perception of buildings and of the interventions that are, in my opinion, necessary for a building to develop and thus survive. This also, to some extent, applies to talking about and discussing newly constructed buildings.

On a personal level, I have gained several good friends and a super cool restoration-related network, which I never hesitate to draw on if there is an issue I am uncertain about. I have benefitted from the inter-Nordic element, both commercially –

NORDMAK has opened up for new and different collaborations across national borders – and personally. The programme has made it possible for me to expand my lecturing activities to include the entire Nordic region. I really love that.”

Marcelle Meier, architect and co-owner of KPF Arkitekter, Denmark
“During the two years of studies abroad, a wide and ever-expanding network was created involving practicians as well as theoreticians within the restoration profession.

The network has been, and still is, very useful in my daily work because it opens up new opportunities for cooperation and new development opportunities – and, not least, helps you make acquaintances and establish friendships with peers. Academically, I experienced a kind of snowball effect in which already established skills were continuously developed and challenged. NORDMAK has given me a significantly broader range of tools and methods, which have affected the working methods and professional approaches to specific tasks employed by me and my practice. NORDMAK has provided nourishment for even greater job satisfaction and professional enthusiasm.”

Peder Elgaard, architect and owner, Elgaard Architecture, Denmark
“The most important things I took with me from NORDMAK were the value-based method and a good Nordic network! I have used what I learnt in NORDMAK in other parts of the world, and I can see that we have a strong position in Scandinavia and that other European traditions within the area might benefit from adopting the value-based method to a much greater extent. Not many apart from us NORDMARK graduates are active in the area.”

Michael Smeds, VD Rosersbergs Byggnads AB, Sweden
“The varied and interesting teaching on Nordmak has given me an in-depth understanding and knowledge of our listed buildings as a developer who works with built heritage.

In my daily work as a developer and project manager, I have gained a solid knowledge base of the factors behind different cultural-historical values, and I have become able to support my colleagues and clients.”