Berlage Institute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Berlage is an advanced postgraduate program currently based in Delft, the Netherlands. Founded in 1990 as the Berlage Institute in Amsterdam, it operated as an independent, unaccredited postgraduate school of architecture with an international student body and faculty, later relocating to Rotterdam.
Named after the Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage, the institute established a reputation as a platform for experimental design and critical discourse. In 2012, the program was re-established at Delft University of Technology as the Berlage Center for Advanced Studies in Architecture and Urban Design, becoming an accredited program offering a post-master degree. While undergoing institutional and geographic transformations, the program has maintained continuity in its pedagogical approach, adapting to new academic and cultural contexts while preserving its focus on cross-cultural research and design.
The school was founded by Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger, who also served as the first dean. At that time, the school was located in Aldo van Eyck's Children's Orphanage in Amsterdam. Later, the institute moved to Botersloot 25 in Rotterdam.
In 1995, Wiel Arets was appointed dean, drastically restructuring the school to a research-based institute. While dean, Arets initiated the school's publication, HUNCH, which was originally edited by Jennifer Sigler, editor of Rem Koolhaas' S,M,L,XL.[1] Arets expanded the school's international prominence through the publication of HUNCH, extensive global study trips, public lectures, and notion of the 'year theme', with the 2001-2002 theme of 'Double Dutch' researching the doubling of the Netherlands' population.[2] Architectural debate was fostered with prominently known architects, lecturers, and guest-professors, such as Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Stan Allen, Kazuyo Sejima, Jean Nouvel, Kenneth Frampton, Tadao Ando, and Toyo Ito.
Notable alumni include Daan Roosegaarde, Miguel Robles-Durán, Vasa J. Perović, Reinier de Graaf, Ana Dzokic and Bas Princen, Mika Cimolini.
Arets stepped down in 2002, and was succeeded by Spanish architect Alejandro Zaera-Polo (2002-2005).
The Croatian architect and educator Vedran Mimica was the last director.[3] Due to the Netherlands' government funding cuts, the Berlage Institute was forced to dissolve its existence as of 1 August 2012.
