First volume in a Biennial series of topical introductions of high-quality architectural works. Buildings completed in 2002 and 2003 for education, housing, culture, administration, worship, leisure, renovation, business. Selected by a jury of experts. Authors: Claes Caldenby (Sweden), Risto Pelkonen, Hannu Raittila, Harri Hautajärvi Graphic design: Roy Mänttäri
From this autumn on, fresh top architecture will be presented every second year in an exhibition and accompanying book. The selection of buildings to be displayed is based on architectural merit, with attention also paid to the representation of different areas of construction.
The first topical review displays a tendency towards internationalisation, although momentary fashion whimsies seldom find their way to Finland. Innovativeness is shown in material experiments and structural novelties. Building design has been influenced by information technology and the idea of sustainable development. The high quality of public building reflects our society's cultural will and sense of responsibility as well as a belief in the future.
After the first presentation in Helsinki, the exhibition will tour in Finland and abroad. The book is printed in English in order to distribute knowledge of Finnish architecture as widely as possible.
Finnish Architecture 0203 is a joint project of the Alvar Aalto Academy, the Association of Finnish Architects SAFA and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.
The buildings on display in the first exhibition of the Finnish Architecture series were selected by a jury whose members were Esa Laaksonen, Director of the Alvar Aalto Academy (chairman); Severi Blomstedt, Director of the Museum of Finnish Architecture; Roy Mänttäri, Head of Exhibitions of the Museum of Finnish Architecture; and Tarja Nurmi, architect and architectural critic, appointed by the Association of Finnish Architects SAFA.
Finnish Architecture 0203 is sponsored by Senate Properties and Tikkurila Paints Oy.