What Sets the Finnish Architecture Scene Apart from the United States?
Henrik Ilvesmäki studied architecture at Harvard University for four years. He noticed a marked difference between the United States and his native Finland in the dynamics between architectural academia and practice. This difference has a potentially profound impact on the future of the field in the two countries.
Why Is Finland Not More Visible Abroad?
Rainer Mahlamäki sees at least three factors that explain the modest international visibility of contemporary Finnish architecture. The photos in the article show the 11 Finnish buildings that have been shortlisted for the Mies van der Rohe Award.
Finnish (Post)modernism?
The prominent names in Finnish architecture of the 1980s, Simo and Käpy Paavilainen, Jyrki Tasa, and Reijo Jallinoja, talk about what postmodernism meant to them at the time, and what it means today.
What Does the Finlandia Prize Shortlist Reveal About the Current State of Finnish Architecture?
Four new-builds and one refurbishment project are in the running for this year’s Finlandia Prize for Architecture. When it comes to architectural expression, two distinct styles are readily visible.
Short Syllabus in Colour Research
The research-based colour design is weakly known in Finland. Colour researcher Saara Pyykkö shares her insights on what an architect should know about colour.
Layers of Intention
Painted architecture evolves with changing ideals. How might we learn to read the sediments of history hidden in the layers of colour?
Something Old, New and Borrowed – But Do We Have Anything Blue?
The urban planners working on Tampere’s new colour plan would be wise to look to earlier examples for guidance.
Arenas of Urban Development
Helsinki, Turku and Oulu are planning to build event arenas in central locations. In Tampere, an arena built above the railway has been in use for a good two years. What kind of cityscape is being constructed along these megaprojects?
A Key to Modern Architecture
In the 1970s, architect Pentti Piha was involved in developing and bringing to Finland the so-called black box stage, which performing artists are nowadays critical of. Through this critique, we can reevaluate the legacy of modernist architecture even more broadly.