Published in 5/2024 - Crossing the Borders

Article

How Can Architecture Firms Support Multiculturalism?

Gülcan Ozan

In many Finnish architecture firms, international professionals often face career ceilings at junior positions, regardless of their level of experience, writes Gülcan Ozan.

While language barriers are often cited as a challenge for international talent in Finland, shifting mindsets and cultural attitudes are even more crucial. As a native Turkish speaker fluent in Finnish and English, I navigate daily conversations in three languages at my workplace. Although learning Finnish presented challenges, language barriers have not been my primary obstacle in my professional experience in Finland. Instead, prejudices and a lack of trust towards internationals have had a more significant impact. 

International architects may find their expertise undervalued or unrecognized due to unfamiliarity with their educational background or professional practices in their home country. Gaining trust in Finnish offices can be time-consuming, even with language proficiency and Finnish university degrees. Consequently, achieving project manager or senior architect roles as an international in Finland requires exceptional dedication. In many Finnish architecture firms, international professionals often face career ceilings at junior positions, regardless of their level of experience. 

I am fortunate to work in an architecture firm where it is possible to contribute with my skills as a foreign architect. We are working on projects that address the climate crisis and achieve sustainability goals. Adapting to a warmer and sunnier climate is a relatively new challenge in Finland, whereas it has been a focus for centuries in southern countries, such as Turkey. We explore ways to bring the liveliness of southern cities to Finland and discuss how to create positive outdoor spaces in our building designs. 

We need to remember that being international is an asset, not a disadvantage. Diversity breeds innovation, and a homogenous working group is not conducive to growth. For any organization, having an international team member is a great opportunity to see things from a new perspective, enact change, and achieve more. ↙

GÜLCAN OZAN is a senior architect and project manager at Lundén Architecture Company.