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For Eric Messerschmidt, one of the curators of the Danish Centre for Architecture, the aim of this institution is to emphasize the importance of architectural quality. The centre at Gammel Dok promotes Danish architecture by staging exhibitions and other events, and through its information services. Founded in 1986 as the result of a private initiative, the centre is housed in an old harbour warehouse made available by the Ministry of Building. One condition imposed at that time was that the centre should concentrate on supporting the Danish building industry – a re-sponsibility it took a number of years to shake off. Today, the centre is an independent institution, financed partly by the government and partly by private funds and sponsors. The four architects who run it seek to appeal not only to members of the profession, but to a non-architectural public as well – by organizing excursions, seminars and discussions, special events for children and, of course, exhibitions. All displays are temporary. The centre does not possess its own permanent collection. The principal events it stages are the major exhibitions that seek to demonstrate the significance of the city and architecture in the lives of people.