What kind of significance does a sense of shared community have in queer circles? In what way have concepts of community shaped architecture and design? What makes a space feel safe? Can architecture help bring people closer together?

The museum's contribution to this year's triennial is about community and exclusion. One part of the exhibition explores how concepts of community have shaped architecture and urban planning for the last 70 years. Who's been included and who's been excluded? How does marginalised groups experience urban development?

Post-war reconstruction and development focused on housing and serving the nuclear family. It was not until the late 1960s and 70s inclusion and diversity was given some thought. Selegrend Hesthaugen outside Bergen is an example of a project where the nuclear family was no longer the only focus. One-third of the homes were reserved for "housing-disadvantaged" groups.

Cities are built for men and cars! That was the criticism throughout the 70s and 80s. The exhibition will show examples of a feminist approach to urban planning through videos, drawings and archive materials, among others, from architect and champion of lesbian rights, Phyllis Birkby. In the 70s, Birkby travelled around the United States and held Women's Environmental Fantasy Workshops to help women explore what architecture could look like if more attention was paid to women's needs. Birkby also visited Norway.

MYCKET

The National Museum has invited the Swedish art and architecture collective MYCKET to create an installation that will transform parts of the National Museum - Architecture into a queer and playful place.

The importance of community has been particularly important in queer circles. For MYCKET, the idea of finding one's community is something that can be linked to a time, a place and an architecture. Based on their own experiences and research on queer spaces and queer nightclub architecture, the group has for the past 10 years worked to create playful and interactive club concepts.

When the exhibition opens, you'll experience an interactive installation that offers a journey into MYCKET's universe. Based on the idea that architecture should support diversity, shape communities, and create a world where there is room for everyone, this is an installation that welcomes everybody!

The National Museum – Architecture is open from 10 AM to 18 PM, except mondays.