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.
The People’s Theatre
In the 1930s, P.E. Blomstedt designed a theatre in Hakaniemi, Helsinki. Reading between the lines of an illustration drawing reveals the world view behind the design and the designer.
Artwashing Demolition
Utilising to-be-demolished buildings for temporary art shows is becoming a formalized urban development practice. However, it disregards the potential of existing urban spaces and ignores the temporary use and artistic agency as vehicles for place-shaping.
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.
Dreaming of Socially Accessible Cultural Venues
What might a truly inclusive cultural venue for all look like?
Optical Vacuum
For decades, the theatre space has remained in the background in the mainstream cinematic experience. Different kinds of experiences are available at film festivals.
A Wise Body
What if a more sustainable way of building would be better perceived through the senses and emotions?
A Pioneer of the Circular Economy
The warehouse of a former brewery in Berlin’s Neukölln district is now being used for work and living. The project named CRCLR House has been designed following the principles of circular economy.