Launch of long-term partnership to promote equality and inclusion through architecture and Universal Design

The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation, Bevica Foundation, Ramboell Foundation, and Dreyers Foundation have entered into a long-term partnership to promote greater equality and inclusion for people with disabilities through architecture and design.

Architects and designers, through their expertise and societal role, can be powerful advocates for inclusion and rights, turning words into action through the practices of their professions.

Equal opportunities for all to participate in society

By combining their diverse expertise, networks, and voices in the public debate, the Bevica Foundation, Dreyers Foundation, Ramboell Foundation, and the Royal Danish Academy aim to significantly contribute to ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in society—whether in public spaces, cultural institutions, or housing.

From 2025 to 2030, the partnership will launch a series of educational and research initiatives under the title: “Diverse view of Humanity and Equality through Architecture and Universal Design.”

“At the Royal Danish Academy, we focus on universal design and diverse perspectives in architecture and design because it’s essential that we, as a research and educational institution, contribute to a society that includes everyone. As architects and designers, we have a concrete opportunity to promote inclusion - especially for people with cognitive, temporary, or age-related disabilities. We believe that a strategic partnership with Dreyers Foundation, Bevica Foundation, and Ramboell can bridge research and practice, including through our professional networks and participation in public discourse,” say Mathilde Aggebo, Dean of Design, and Jakob Brandtberg Knudsen, Dean of Architecture, at the Royal Danish Academy.

Integrating Universal Design into the core of architecture and design

Universal Design is a holistic, rights-based approach to design, which Denmark has committed to through the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It’s based on the understanding that human bodies and abilities vary and change over time—and that this should be the foundation for how we design and shape our environments.

By increasing knowledge and practical implementation of universal design, the initiative will equip current and future architects and designers to better realize the vision of equality and inclusion in society.

“Architects and designers have the power to define who is included and who is excluded when they shape our shared spaces. That’s why it’s crucial to integrate knowledge of universal design into the profession - both academically and practically. We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Royal Danish Academy, which began in 2016, and to strengthen it further with such strong partners as Dreyers Foundation and Ramboell Foundation,” says Marianne Kofoed, CEO of the Bevica Foundation.

Bridging academia, practice, and society

The initiatives will span across the Academy’s design and architecture institutes and involve collaboration with professional practices, civil society, and other stakeholders. This connection between academia and practice is essential to achieving meaningful change.

“As a foundation with a special focus on the architectural profession, we want to strengthen the role of practicing architects in creating a more equitable society. Universal design must not remain an abstract concept—it should be visible and tangible in the homes, public spaces, and buildings we use every day. This partnership allows us to bridge research and practice and support architects in turning knowledge into concrete solutions that benefit everyone,” says Kathrin Susanna Gimmel, architect and board member of Dreyers Foundation.

Sustainable design and architecture must consider both human equality and planetary boundaries. The initiative’s focus areas include research and dissemination of universal design in the transformation of historic buildings, housing, and public spaces; infrastructure; inclusive furniture and product design; inclusive design processes; artistic approaches; and continuing education for practicing architects and designers.

“Sustainability is also about equal access for all. We look forward to contributing to the generation and activation of new knowledge about differentiated user needs in a regenerative built environment. The research effort will create new insights into the connections between environmental and social sustainability as well as cultural heritage values. This knowledge can be applied in the transformation and development of the existing building stock to meet the needs of today’s users—and those of the future,” explains Asbjørn Kristensen Høgsbro, Head of Philanthropy at the Ramboell Foundation.

Over the five-year period, the partners will support various aspects of the initiative and work together to achieve their shared goals.