Stories

In Depth

Research — 1.1.2025

A Child-Friendly City is Slower, More Permissive and Better for Everyone

In a child-friendly city, play spreads beyond parks, and car users have to be flexible, envision landscape architect Mari Ariluoma and researcher Veera Moll. Through discussion, they found eight principles for planning a child-friendly city.

Research — 1.1.2025

The Metabolic City

A nature-inspired concept from the 1960s helps to outline flexibility on a city scale.

Essay — 1.1.2025

Sites of Resistance

The rise of protest, activism and alternative memorials challenge urban planners to adopt more flexible approaches to the urban landscape.

Essay — 1.1.2025

The newest Alvar Aalto Medallist has an intense sensitivity for all aspects of space

The architect Marie-José Van Hee’s oeuvre largely consists of skilfully designed private houses in Belgium.

Phenomena — 1.1.2025

The Views Are What Really Matters

If the plans materialise, the new business district on Makasiiniranta will become part of Helsinki’s national landscape during the 2030s. Architect Mikko Summanen considers its design a “once in a lifetime” project.

Phenomena — 1.1.2025

Ode to a Work in Progress

Instead of clearly defined development projects, urban design should entail more continuous processes without predetermined end results. Ecosystem thinking offers guidelines for changing the focus.

Essay — 1.5.2024

Porous Boundaries

In Japan, one can encounter spaces where nature and architecture are inseparably intertwined.

Research — 1.5.2024

Planners of the Global South

The Finnish architects’ work in development cooperation has been more diverse than has been understood so far.

Phenomena — 1.5.2024

Destination USA? – In Discussion with Ala Architects

Ala Architects has designed buildings throughout Europe, but so far none of their designs have made it to the United States. Why is that?

Phenomena — 1.5.2024

Finnish (Post)modernism?

The prominent names in Finnish architecture of the 1980s, Simo and Käpy Paavilainen, Jyrki Tasa, and Reijo Jallinoja, talk about what postmodernism meant to them at the time, and what it means today.

Article Collection — 1.5.2024

Internationalising Finland – Four Viewpoints

Four architects who have made Finland their home discuss what day-to-day practice looks like here and the change that is needed to help the sector become more international in outlook.

Essay — 1.5.2024

The Domestication of the Foreign

How do the local and the foreign come together? For Fernando Nieto, the adaptation process is two-sided.

Research — 1.4.2024

Short Syllabus in Colour Research

The research-based colour design is weakly known in Finland. Colour researcher Saara Pyykkö shares her insights on what an architect should know about colour.

Essay — 1.4.2024

Layers of Intention

Painted architecture evolves with changing ideals. How might we learn to read the sediments of history hidden in the layers of colour?

Essay — 1.3.2024

Dreaming of Socially Accessible Cultural Venues

What might a truly inclusive cultural venue for all look like?