The Beauty and Ugliness Project

Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture (BUA) is a Norwegian non-profit organization committed to advancing classical and traditional architectural aesthetics within contemporary urban landscapes. Through our annual symposium in Oslo and various educational initiatives, BUA encourages critical discussions around architectural beauty, harmony, and sustainability in contrast to current design trends. Our goal is to foster appreciation for human-scaled, heritage-informed designs that resonate with cultural and historical identity, promoting urban spaces that connect people to their environment.

The 2025 Committee:

Anders Hagalisletto

Architectural researcher and founder of the Beauty and Ugliness Conference, Anders is dedicated to bringing the insights of the Architectural Uprising into the professional and academic discourse.
Nathan Andrews

An Australian architect currently based in Tromsø, Nathan is a passionate advocate for Norway’s wooden architecture. His designs have captured the interest of many on Instagram @andrews.architecture
Embla Eskilt Hagalisletto

A literature student and leader of the Architectural Uprising in Bergen, Embla is a prominent voice in the public debate on aesthetics. Her writing has been featured in several national newspapers.
Oscar Olderøy

An architecture student at NTNU and board member of Akantus, Oscar works to re-introduce classical design in Norwegian architectural education. He also enrolled at the Classic Planning Institute.
Sigurd Randby

A recently graduated architect from NTNU and co-initiator of the Classical Design Studio, Sigurd is committed to reviving craftsmanship in architecture. He is currently working for Sebastian Treese in Berlin.
Carl Korsnes

Editor of the Sivilisasjonen cultural magazine and advocate for classical culture, Carls mission is to make the insights of today's architectural renaissance accessible to all.