Tall, Wooden, Finnish
Finland, like elsewhere, has in recent years built more and more – and higher and higher – in wood. Both Puukuokka in Jyväskylä and Lighthouse in Joensuu are pioneers in Finnish wood building.
Radical Rules
In London, architects are seeking to promote ethical standards in the field and demanding more sustainable assignments from clients, outside of traditional labour unions, Lee Marable points out. What should we learn from Londoners in Finland?
The Pursuit of a Bright Apartment
In Finland, the regulations concerning natural light in dwellings mainly focus on window sizes, which does not actually convey much about natural light in the units – let alone the pleasantness and usability, Jori Uusitalo and Valentin Valotie argue.
Housing researcher: “Natural light affects the perceived spaciousness and adaptability of an apartment”
How does natural light affect the quality of living? Sini Saarimaa wrote a commentary reflecting on the article "The Pursuit of a Bright Apartment".
The Long Life of Regulation
Lauri Jääskeläinen charts the history of land use and building regulations in Finland, in anticipation of the reform of Land Use and Building Act.
A Townhouse in the Chain of Generations
The new building completing the frontage of the market square in Kotka forms the latest phase in the history of a plot whose ownership has been passed down from mother to daughter for already three generations.
Farmhouse Living Room, Church and Dance Floor
Puuhi, a community space for informal encounters and cultural activities in the village of Soini, was born from a local initiative. A local yet internationally renowned architect Anssi Lassila was a natural choice for the job.
Can We Share Our Way to Sustainability?
The sharing economy has grown into a major new trend, and the concept of sharing is now beginning to extend to housing too. Used cleverly, it could be an excellent way to deliver sustainable urban planning and housing design, suggests Annamari Vesamo.
Romance and Cosmic Connections
For Mika Savela, the design competition for the Annex to the National Museum of Finland concluded in late 2019 highlights questions regarding the relationship between architecture and the story of a nation.