Jérôme Picard, an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at the University of Bergen (UiB), expressed his excitement upon receiving a prestigious accolade recognizing 40 of Europe’s most promising talents in architecture and design. “I am very happy about the award. Through initiatives at the Faculty of Art, Music and Design, I have the opportunity to work with design-driven research, interdisciplinary innovation, and new forms of design practice in academia,” he stated on December 5th.
A Significant Recognition for Norwegian Design
This honor highlights exceptional creativity, vision, and societal influence. Åsil Bøthun, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design at UiB, remarked, “We congratulate Jérôme Picard on the award. This is an important recognition for both KMD and UiB, and for the Norwegian architecture and design community, as he is the first Norwegian architect to receive this distinction in over 10 years. Jérôme is a great asset to our academic environment, and it is wonderful to see that he has also made an international mark with this award.”
The Evolving Concept of Beauty in Architecture
The conversation surrounding aesthetic appeal in architecture has gained renewed interest. The Norwegian television show “STYGT?” (translated as “UGLY?”) examines public structures in Norway deemed unattractive, while the group Architectural Rebellion recently named influencer Lothepus’ newly constructed stave church in Odda as the most beautiful building in Norway.
The Subjectivity of Beauty
When asked if there is a definitive answer to what constitutes beauty, Picard replied with a firm “No.” He elaborated that while beauty holds significance, the definition should be expanded. “A façade says little about quality, and aesthetics must be freed from the idea of a single clear answer. Beauty emerges over time—when different eras and styles combine, when buildings blend into everyday life and include design and interiors. Beauty must start from the inside out,” he stated. Picard advocates for beginning with interiors, entrances, and courtyards—spaces that foster inclusion and reflect care for daily life. According to him, architecture truly comes to life at the domestic level.
Building Quality from the Ground Up
To foster beautiful and vibrant architecture, Picard emphasizes the need for government prioritization and ownership. “We need to strengthen municipalities to shape ambitious, human-centered environments, rather than accepting market-driven minimum solutions,” he explained. He pointed to successful examples from Denmark’s Neighbourhood for Generations, France’s Quartiers de demain, and innovative social housing initiatives in Belgium and Spain, demonstrating that positive change is possible when local authorities are empowered and residents are engaged in the development of their communal spaces.
Envisioning Future Living Spaces
These insights inform Picard’s involvement with the EU initiative known as the New European Bauhaus (NEB) at KMD, which supports research, innovation, and projects through programs like Horizon Europe. Currently, he leads a research initiative that integrates interior design, architecture, future narratives, art, and music to create new models for inclusive, sustainable communities that seamlessly incorporate healthcare services into residential areas.
Continuing the Journey
Additionally, Picard has been selected for UiB’s Momentum program, which aims to foster career development for early-stage researchers. “This international recognition gives me the opportunity to continue working research-based on complex questions and put them into practice,” he concluded.
