Private Public Private
In mid-century USA, Victor Gruen developed the shopping mall, a typology that still raises questions on how contemporary cities should be designed. Antti Auvinen and Kristian Äijö explore the phenomenon.
Excursions Into Suburban Density
Density is a buzzword in current public discussions on urbanity, but what does the concept actually mean? ask professors of the USP Master's Programme.
Miracle of the Mundane
Photo Timo Kiukkola A waste collection station has been built in Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki. The waste from this new neighbourhood will be collected by vacuum tubes and packed tightly in containers to await transportation and final processing elsewhere.
Small Gestures
Photo Tuomas Uusheimo Playa Architects designed three point blocks in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki. They made Antti Auvinen think about the nature of urbanity.
Where the Suburbs met Utopia*
The architectural office Ortraum designed a detatched house in Laajasalo, Helsinki. The somewhat experimental home makes Philip Tidwell think about everyday life sites and the urban periphery.
Archetype
The University of Helsinki’s old administration building was in need of renovation and thus a suitable venue for comprehensive change, when the university was looking for a place to organise events. Think Corner is a successful new model for a currently emerging building type, says Tommy Kaj Lindgren.
Feminism as an Instrument
In the 2010s feminism is not merely an issue of women's movement but rather seeks a broader understanding of identities. Instead of generalisation, the starting point for planning is the spectrum of real communities and individuals, Marja Rautaharju writes.
The Changing Careers of Women Architects
Women began to practice architecture in Finland in the early 20th century. Female architects founded their own association, Architecta, in the 1940s. Pirkko-Liisa Schulman traces the history of the association.
Architect, Entrepreneur, Woman
More than half of architectural students are women these days. Yet the number of private architectural offices run by women is surprisingly low. Four architects discuss their work and ideals.