Most crowdsourcing projects today feature common functions that make it possible for anyone with the time and interest to contribute. Such projects are in most cases based on a highly developed web-design, which enables users to easily create their own account and to contribute in an instant. These systems are usually very expensive to build, maintain and develop. However, the crowdsourcing project of arkitekturbilleder.dk, a picture database of Danish architecture, showcases the potential to run a crowdsourcing project with almost no funding’s at all. During the last 18 months, arkitekturbilleder.dk has managed to engage 14 photographers with architectural training and professional experience to contribute voluntarily to the site with pictures of Danish architecture. The KADK library has on two occasions posted ads to attract photographers, and thereafter carried out interviews to secure that our guidelines and standards for documenting architecture are met. We have learned that this method creates a sense of exclusivity, where each individual’s contribution is appreciated and receives the expected attention. We have received more than 1500 pictures of 80 new buildings since the project started. The photographers’ involvements have also included improvements of functions, interface and back-end of arkitekturbilleder.dk. They have also become great ambassadors for the site at their schools and workplace, which is seen in constantly rising visiting statistics. However, the project have faced many challenges along the way, and we continuously work to improve our practice and methods and to keep our photographers motivated and stimulated to secure further contributions.

1. Future proofing the library
using expert crowdsourcing
Daniel Gunnarsson
Library of Architecture, Design,
Conservation & Performing Arts
Copenhagen - Denmark

2. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of
Architecture, Design and Conservation
Holmen Campus – Susan Gregers Jensen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kadk/7170796972/in/set-72157629665206744

3. 1700 students, (1000 architecture, 600 design, 100
conservation) and a total of 300 employees
Holmen Campus – Susan Gregers Jensen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kadk/7170796972/in/set-72157629665206744

4. The library of Architecture, Design, Conservation &
Performing Arts
Library of Architecture, Design, Conservation & Performing Arts – Sandra Gonon

5. Library of Architecture, Design, Conservation & Performing Arts – Daniel Gunnarsson
Denmarks largest library within Architecture, Design
Conservation & Performing Arts

6. Arkitekturbilleder.dk - Architectural picture
collection, 900 buildings and 8000 pictures
The Dome – Rimas Steponaitis

7. Arkitekturbilleder.dk have been documenting
modern danish architecture since 2002
M/S Museet for Søfart – Børge Nielsen

8. Crowdsourcing project since summer 2012
Tietgenkollegiet – Sanne Krogh

9. By Unrellius - http://www.thewhelming.com/2014/01/everyone-futurama/
Crowdsourcing is commonly associated with tasks
that anyone can perform or contribute to

10. Platforms built to enable anyone to contribute are
usually expensive to develop, build & maintain
https://www.zooniverse.org/

11. http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/
http://www.slideshare.net/Landsforeningen/1001-lff-mette-bom-kulturministeriet
1001 stories, a great and succesful danish project,
But it cost 11 million DKK to develop & build

12. Many Institutitions in Denmark and internationally
are suffering from cut-backs and reduction
http://politiken.dk/kultur/arkitektur/ECE2241485/stort-underskud-bringer-kunstakademiet-i-knae/

13. The Library has been through three mergers and
three extensive reductions in the last five years
Library of Architecture, Design, Conservation & Performing Arts – Daniel Gunnarsson

14. Danmarks Nationalbank – Andreas Trier Mørch
Crowdsourcing projects can be a low-cost investment
& future proofing your library/project

15. Crowdsourcing can also be finding a specific task
that a chosen group of people can perform
http://www.arkitekturbilleder.dk/fotografer

16. The task in arkitekturbilleder.dk: contribute with high
quality pictures of modern danish architecture
Trollbeads Domicil – Rimas Steponaitis
Hjørring Bibliotek – Gitte Gylling Hammershøj Olesen
Bakkegårdsskolen – Per Vissing Christensen

17. Using the resources we already have and add free
tools to administer the contributors is cheap
Dashboard of Arkitekturbilleder.dk

18. We posted ads in forums where photographers
with architectural background are active

19. We held casual interviews and each photographer
provided us with a portfolio of photographs
Portfolio – Gitte Gylling Hammershøj Olesen Portfolio – Rasmus Boysen Feddersen

20. Former users are now contributors - Architectural
students, Retired photographers, Architects…
Library of Architecture, Design, Conservation & Performing Arts – Daniel Gunnarsson

21. 14 photographers have contributed with over 130
new buildings and more than 2000 pictures

22. Contributors become ambassadors for the project
and generate visits from their private networks
August 2012 – August 2013
August 2011 – August 2012
42% increase in visits since the project started
Statistics from Google Analytics

23. Crowdsourcing means greater diversity of the
content in Arkitekturbilleder.dk
Geographical spread
Frederiksværk, Odense,
Copenhagen, Aarhus, Paris…
Architectural spread
Photographical spread
Documentary focus but flexible
http://arkitekturbilleder.dk/kort

24. From users to contributors and evolving into
collaborators and active participants
Interface
Dashboard
Functionality
Maintenance

25. Tweets - @arkbille
A small exclusive group enables individual attention
and focus on each contributors work

26. Goal 2015 – New interface, 1000 buildings,
20 active photographers
Guldberg Byplads– Nicholas Ransome

27. Motivational factors – enrichment, commons,
visibility, engagement, experience, network
Dansekapellet – Henriette Sjøgreen Kristensen

28. Hauser Plads – Nicholas Ransome
Analyze & evaluate your current procedures set clear
principles and guidelines for the contributors

29. Plug n Play – Sandra Gonon
Develop with an open mind and in collaboration with
your contributors, be flexible but maintain control

30. Thank you! Follow our work at:
arkitekturbilleder.dk
arkitekturbilleder.dk/mobil
@arkbille
Øerne i Ørestad – Marco Siu