Sami Cultural Center Sajos / HALO Architects

© Mika Huisman

Architects: HALO Architects Ltd
Location: , Finland
Head Designer: Architects m3 Ltd, Janne Pihlajaniemi, Architect M.Sc. SAFA
Client: Senate Properties
Photographs: Mika Huisman

   

12th International Alvar Aalto Symposium: ‘Crafted’ – The Ingredients of Architecture

Chapel of St. Lawrence. Anu PUUSTINEN & Ville HARA, Avanto Achitect / © Tuomas Uusheimo

The 12th International Alvar Aalto Symposium will be held in Jyväskylä from August 10-12, 2012. With the theme of ‘Crafted’ – The Ingredients of Architecture’, the question arises: How does architecture rise above the ordinary? Organised by the Academy, the international Symposium aims to address the complex relationship between material, craft and culture, not simply as a matter of professional practice but also as a sociological and pedagogical imperative. More information on the event after the break.

Latest Works by Artist Ola Kolehmainen Exhibition

1923. 2011, C-print, diasec.

Being held at the Alvar Aalto Museum in Jyväskylä, Finland, the exhibition for the latest works by artist Ola Kolehmainen is currently on display until July 29th. A contemporary artist of international importance, Kolehmainen is known for his large abstract architectural photographs. With his work mainly associated with Aalto buildings, has been visiting Aalto buildings for years in order to become familiar with them – from Paimio Sanatorium to the Villa Mairea, to Säynätsalo Town Hall and Imatra, to buildings in and around Jyväskylä and finally to Viipuri Library. In his works, Kolehmainen is reaching out for a space-time experience on the other side of the picture plane. For more information on the exhibition, please visit here.

AD Classics: Muuratsalo Experimental House / Alvar Aalto

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Soon after the passing of his wife in 1949, Alto began the design for a summer getaway for himself on the western shore of island Muuratsalo, Finland. Through the process of designing the house, it became an experimental study of materiality, architecture construction and philosophies.

More on ‘s Experimental House after the break.

 

House Kekkapaa / POOK Arkkitehtitoimisto Oy

© Antti Hahl

Architect: POOK Arkkitehtitoimisto Oy & Katariina Rautiala and Pentti
Location: North Espoo,
Completed: July 2006
Total Areas: 293 sqm (main building), 29 sqm (sauna), 31 sqm (workshop)
Photographs: Antti Hahl, Pentti Raiski, Alatalo photos

Calamari Union / LRA

Courtesy of

Located in the Finnish city of , the Calamari Union project by LRA (Lapo Ruffi Architetto) is designed around the theme, “European urbanity | Resonance between territories and ways of life. What architectures for sustainable cities?”. The project responds to a new demand of making a city outside of the city. How must we design places to live in contexts not yet settled? Limen in Latin means limit, but also threshold, entrance. It is therefore in the etymology of this word that the premises are found for what can become a place of boundary, not to be intended as a barrier, but as an opportunity of connection. More images and architects’ description after the break.

AD Round Up: Projects in Finland

Courtesy of JKMM Architects

Over the years we’ve been featuring amazing projects from . So we decided to gather 5 projects from 2008-2009 that you may have missed into this special Round Up. We have a great library from JKMM Architects, a great house in Hanko designed by brazilian architects, the METLA Forest Research Centre, the beautiful WISA Hotel in the southern harbour of Helsinki and a lakeside house with a bear in it. Don’t miss them!

Playhouse / Anna & Eugeni Bach

© Tiia Ettala

Architects: Anna & Eugeni Bach
Location: Pälölä farm, Nummi Pusula,
Collaborators: Uma and Rufus Bach
Project Dates: July 20 -  July 21, 2011
Work Site Dates: August 10 – August 24, 2011
Built Surface: 13,50 m2
Budget: 800 €
Promoter/Owner: Uma and Rufus Bach
Constructor: Self built ()
Photographs: Tiia Ettala

Last summer, architects Anna & Eugeni Bach found themselves in a situation that many parents who are architects with children might be able to relate. Their children, after realizing their parents were architects, wondered why they hadn’t made a house for them. So they promised them they would build a house for them on their grandparents farm in Finland. And, of course, at the kids insistence, they fulfilled their promise. More images and architects’ description after the break.

AD Classics: Jyvaskyla University / Alvar Aalto

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After entering a general planning competition at the end of May 1951 for the Institute of Pedagogics, Alvar Aalto was immediately commissioned to begin working on the plans of each of the individual buildings that were to be added amidst existing complex. He was awarded first prize with his entry ‘Urbs’, which is reminiscent of some of his previous projects. The U pattern formed by the buildings frames the open center space, where a sports field is accessible by foot.

More on Jyvaskyla University by Alvar Aalto after the break.

Helsinki South Harbor Proposal / Macyauski Research & Design

Courtesy of

This ’s new South Harbor proposal, designed by Macyauski Research & Design, is envisioned as the iconic gateway into the heart of the city that serves its tourists and travelers aesthetically and effectively. Its strong urban connection between the waterfront and the city has been simplified to efficiently activate Helsinki’s South Harbor. More images and architects’ description after the break.

BIG unveils a Ski Resort in Lapland

Courtesy of BIG

BIG wins an invited competition for a 47,000 sqm ski resort and recreational area in , . The future Ski Village will transform the existing ski resort into a world class destination, offering top quality accommodation and leisure services for skiers of all levels and demands. More images and complete press release after the break.

Bullhorn – Cembrit Design Competition

Courtesy of Cembrit

Endorsed by Icsid and part of World Design Capital2012 , the Bullhorn – Cembrit Design Competition challenges participants to design and develop Malmi Station, one of Helsinki’s biggest suburban transit areas, into an outstanding and experimental landmark that will improve the quality of life for thousands of urban commuters each day. Participants will do so through the innovative use of fibre-cement.

As a global responsibility, stations and transit hubs are important both functionally and as identity-building elements in urban environments. The city dwellers spent a significant part of their day connected to various transit hubs. These areas are often worn out and unappealing non-places.The deadline for entries is January 15th with a deadline for questions November 1st. For more details on the competition, visit their official website.

Liina Transitional Shelter / Aalto University Wood Program

Courtesy of Aalto University Program

Architects: Aalto University Wood Program
Location: Espoo,
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Courtesy of Aalto University Wood Program

City Cottage / Verstas Architects

© Andreas Meichsner

Architects: Verstas Architects
Location: Lauttasaari,
Project Area: 14 sqm
Photographs: Andreas Meichsner

In Progress: Kamppi Chapel of Silence / K2S Architects

View from Lasipalatsi

Architects: K2S Architects Ltd
Location: ,
Client: Helsinki Parish Union and the City of Helsinki
Structural engineering: Insinööritoimisto Vahanen Oy Matti Kivinen, Ulla Harju
Project Year: 2012
Project Area: 300 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of K2S Architects

Kirkkojärvi Comprehensive School / Verstas Architects

© Tuomas Uusheimo

Architects: Verstas Architects
Location: Espoo,
Client: City of Espoo
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 10,280 sqm
Photographs: Rauno Träskelin, Tuomas Uusheimo

Gosta Museum Extension Competition proposal / Dellekamp Arquitectos + Periférica

© Carlos Zimbrón

Dellekamp Arquitectos + Periférica shared with us their proposal for the Gosta Museum Extension competition. The project aims to preserve the historical value and prominence of the original building by smoothly integrating it to the new museum. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Gösta Contemporary Art Museum Extension Competition Winner / MX_SI

plaza

The architectural studio MX_SI based in Barcelona, was recently announced as the winner of the competition for the extension of the Gösta Contemporary Art Museum in Mänttä, . Organized by the Serlachius Foundation and supported by the Architecture Chamber of SAFA, the aim of the competition was to extend the main building that originally was not planned as a museum. This new building will enhance their facilities in order to host large scale contemporary art travelling exhibitions as well as define an appropriate space for their own collection.

This competition has been the largest architectural tender in Finish history with 579 participants from 42 countries. Construction work on the extension will begin in early 2012 and the new spaces will be opened to the public in spring 2014. More images and project description after the break.

Entry for the Serlachius Museum Gösta Extension Competition / magma architecture

rendering

The task of the competition for the Museum Gösta was to design an extension containing five times the area of the existing museum. The current museum is a solitaire exposed on the top of a hill at a lake in a dramatic landscape. proposes to preserve the beauty of the natural surroundings and integrate them into the visitor experience of the museum.

Serlachius Museum Gösta Extension Competition Proposal / MACA Estudio

Courtesy of MACA Estudio

Young architecture office, MACA Estudio, based in Madrid, Spain, shared with us their proposal for the Museum Gösta Extension design competition. Their proposal plans to solve all the functional requirements of a museum, making the most of the circulations, the sustainability and integration of the building in its environment and at the same time creating a recognizable icon, a representative building worthy of the importance of this museum located in Mäntäa, . More images and architects’ description after the break.

Serlachius Museum Gösta Extension Competition Entry / DATA [Architectes]

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DATA [Architectes] proposal for the extension of the Museum Gösta consists of a building characterized by its sober and quiet aesthetics compatible with its unique cultural environment, a peaceful and preserved bank of a lake. This new construction with the tonality associating the lights fairness with glass and the white concrete thus offers a serene architecture which proposes sights tallied on the 360 degrees of the horizon. Installed tangentially with the northern frontage of the manor, it is relatively low and without salient angles. The effort is related to the construction of a unit architectural object in dialogue with its close environment.