Public Projects
dal 22/11/2007 al 31/1/2008
Segnalato da
22/11/2007
Public Projects
DAZ Deutsche architektur zentrum, Berlin
Contemporary Finnish architecture for learning and culture. Libraries, culture centers, schools, university buildings, day care centers and buildings for sports. These examples are both by a more experienced and a younger generation of architects.
The most current and interesting projects of contemporary Finnish architecture are shown in the exhibition “Finnish Architecture_ Public Projects for Learning and Culture” from 23rd November 2007 to 1st February 2008.
The exhibition focuses on architecture for learning and culture in and outside of Finland, like libraries, culture centers, schools, university buildings, day care centers and buildings for sports. These examples are both by a more experienced and a younger generation of architects. The exhibition is a project of The Association of Finnish Architects' Offices (ATL) and curated by Ms. Tarja Nurmi, Architect SAFA and architecture critic.
All presented buildings are built after the year 2000, some are still under construction. Most of these projects are the results of open or invited architecture competitions, even outside of Finland like the Centre for the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland (Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects).
The broad overview of buildings documents the special atmosphere of Finnish architecture and the personal ambition of each architect for everyday architecture as well as for representative buildings, whether made of wood, brick, steel or glass. But not only material but also the construction volume varies: from the very present culture centre Moby Dick (JKMM Architects) to the wooden but also transparent lookout tower Kupla (Avanto Architects Ltd). Some buildings can also proudly present technical innovations in close collaboration with the building industry.
Despite the economic crises of Finland in the early 90s, which also affected some of the architects, Finnish architecture has always preserved its contextual approach. There are major projects and fancy buildings which nonetheless do not go to extremes. Even if new buildings like the Kotka Maritime Museum or the Moby Dick Culture Centre seem to be dominant on first sight, they still remain contextual within their surroundings
Interesting in particular are the financing models of public buildings in Finland. On the one hand there are representative, high-end buildings like the future music centre in Helsinki (LPR Architects), which is financed by different investors; on the other hand very inventive buildings are realised with a limited budget of the boroughs. For example, the Leppävaara library and the Sello Auditorium in Espoo (Helin & Co Architects) are part of a commercial service and were financed by money of the pension stock. So rooms can be rearranged for other purposes at a later time. Whereas the Turku library has been solely financed by the City of Turku and therefore just built for its original purpose. A currently built music centre has even been financed by several sources: the client for the construction is Kiinteistöosakeyhtiö Helsingin Musiikkitalo, a shareholders’ group of the State of Finland/Senate Properties, the City of Helsinki and the Finnish Broadcasting Company.
To be also pointed out is that interesting new architecture for learning and culture is as well built by a young and an older, more established generation of architects. The Kupla lookout tower was designed by the very young architect Ville Hara, who has been a student at this time and won the prize for young European Architects. The Sandels, however, were designed by an academic over 70.
Additionally, the DAZ is hosting a symposium at 18th January 2008 at the Taut Saal / DAZ
Deutsches Architektur Zentrum
Kopenicker Str. 48/49 - Berlin