It was founded by a group of dissatisfied young architects in 1847 to provide a self-directed, independent education at a time when there ws no formal training available. After 150 years, the AA attracts students from more than fifty countries worldwide. Since its foundation, the School has continued to draw its teaching staff from progressive international practices, and they are reappointed annually, allowing a continual renewal of the exploration of architecture. Through a programme of exhibitions and events, including lectures, workshops, and publications, the AA takes a critical stance, observing, analysing and commenting on past and present architectural ideologies.
Major lectures are open to the public, free of charge.
The next exhibition in the Exhibition Gallery is An Evolutionary Architecture , featuring the work of Diploma Unit 11 . The AA has one of the UK's most comprehensive architectural libraries with more than 25,000 volumes and a unique slide collection. Membership is open to anyone interested in architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apart from providing a broad grounding in history, theory and technology, the undergraduate school has no set curriculum. Each year, students choose a different design unit, from which they shape an individual programme of study.