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.

Our Team

Anders Moen Hagalisletto

The man with who spontaneously started BUA in 2022 out of sheer frustration
Taran Grønlie

Interior architect, writer and rebel against interior minimalism. Author of the book Those damn pillows.
Frederik Nygård Stokvik

Member of the Architectural uprising Norway and leader of New Urbanism Norway.
Embla Eskilt Hagalisletto

Leader of AO Bergen. Attends the Academy for Creative Writing in Bergen.
Oscar Olderøy

Third-year architecture student at NTNU, Board Member of Akantus and student at the Classic Planning Institute, DC.
Sigurd Randby

Master architecture student at NTNU, currently writing his thesis on potentional beautification of modern public buildings in Norway.
Nathan Andrews

Practicing architect who moved from Australia to Tromsø after his discovery of Norway's wonderful architectural traditions.