All through the first half of the twentieth century, a group of architects had worked hard towards the establishment of an architectural school that was more aesthetically and academically oriented than a polytechnic education.

The school was ultimately situated in Oslo, since it was generally felt that the capital had access to many of the nation's best practicing architects.

Initially, the architectural course was part of the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry.

A full degree program was established in 1983, and in 1989 this was placed under the direction of The Norwegian Arts and Crafts School.

In 2001, the school moved to new facilities at Vulkan, a revitalised industrial area near the Aker River, a central, creative and cultural part of the city.