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 The deciding factor is whether the owner can see beyond an outdated mass of construction.
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.
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.
Photo Essay: In the Shadow of a Spectacle
A great tension in the urban space has arisen in Espoo in the 2020s, between the city built in the 1960s–1990s and the large, bold construction projects that are rapidly demanding the space for themselves. Photographer Henri Salonen has captured the city’s transformation.
Whose Voice Is Heard?
An architect can use their professional skills to ensure that the needs of more residents are taken into account in urban planning. The Elonkirjon kaupunki project develops alternative plans as a means to tackle the shortcomings of both official participation processes and urban activism.
A Carpet’s Many Patterns
Between a detached house and an apartment building there is room for more diverse building typologies that both save space for nature and offer a detached house-like living experience.