The Other Side of Neighbourhood Shopping Centres
By tearing down old neighbourhood shopping centres, we are losing not only high-quality architecture but also services, extraordinary culture and tax euros, argues Juhana Heikonen.
The Tools of the Master of Light
In Juha Leiviskä’s architecture, the light goes through changes and reflects the passage of time. This impression is created by more systematic design principles than is often thought.
From Power Plant to Cultural Institution?
The design competition for the new museum of architecture and design is to be settled in September, outlining a new museum building in Helsinki’s South Harbour. Valtteri Hautsalo presents an alternative to these plans and demonstrates how the museum could be set up together with Helsinki Art Museum in the former Hanasaari power plant.
The Ultimate Recognition – But for What?
The Finlandia Prize for Architecture is a breeding ground for a destructive myth when it comes to architectural creativity, claims Anni Vartola.
The Fifty-Year Myth
An often-repeated claim in the media and popular discussions is that 1970s buildings were not designed to last for more than thirty or fifty years. Where did this belief come from? Might there be some truth to it?
The Fate of Modern Office Buildings
Without a heritage listing, the preservation or demolition of an office building is up to the property owner. The deciding factor is whether the owner can see beyond an outdated mass of construction.
Three Cases of Nordic Suburban Renewal
The renovation, infill and renewal of suburban neighbourhoods built during the 1960s and 1970s is a burning issue across Europe. The three examples demonstrate the ways in which this problem has been addressed in Sweden and Denmark.
Transforming Suburbs – Viewpoints from Finnish Cities
Residential districts built between the 1950s and 1980s constitute a large geographic segment of Finnish cities. We asked those in charge of urban planning in our largest cities how the suburbs in their cities are being developed right now.
The Promise of Medium-Density Housing
A city that provides room for both people and nature might be found somewhere between apartment blocks and detached houses. The Asuma research project gives a new benchmark for optimal urban density.