CINARK10: Project Overview 2004-2014

For generations, Danish architecture has been based on a deep understanding of the properties of materials and an interest in details and the overall contextual setting of buildings. In many ways, it is difficult today to speak about an actual ‘Danish building tradition’ or about culturally based construction traditions – because of the development of construction towards more and more industrialised solutions.
Industrialised construction is characterised to a great extent by standardised products and processes and increasing standardisation of construction solutions, which are not
necessarily contextually determined by local needs (eg geography, climate, materials traditions) or agendas (eg adaptation to climate change, better reuse). Here, strong involvement of the architectural profession and a critical approach are essential in order to maintain architectural influence.
Danish architecture and the Danish building industry need to develop clear strategies in order to take advantage of the architectural potential linked to industrialised production from a sustainable perspective, with a view to Denmark holding an internal position of strength in the development of modern, environmentally sound architecture based on a building industry focusing on design and knowledge. CINARK develops, gathers and coordinates research and education activities concerning the development of industrial architecture from a sustainable point of view. The centre’s
task is to outline, formulate and revise the specific concepts that define the field of industrial architecture.The object is to clarify essential, as well as present-day problems and potentials.
The object is to clarify both fundamental and current problems and development potential. Through increased research and teaching it is CINARK’s aim to develop the school, enhance the education it provides and strengthen the architectural profession as regards understanding and tapping the potential of the industrialised building industry. The focus is on how to develop the building industry towards advanced sustainable solutions. These efforts include new forms of organisation in the building industry, new forms of production and new design solutions for building structures and building components. The centre endeavours to build up and communicate current knowledge in order to improve the dialogue between architects, manufacturers and users of sustainable industrial architecture.
Research and teaching focus on the following themes:
• Architectural development of buildings and building components through state-of-the-art industrial methods and optimised material usage.
• The architect’s role in current forms of process, organisation and cooperation in construction.
• Architectural focus on quantitative, qualitative and environmental advantages in the construction industry’s controlled and optimised processes, serial production, new
forms of supply and increased series.