One of the things I was really keen to see when I originally planned my trip to Helsinki was Light Houses: Young Nordic Architecture, an exhibition at the Museum of Finnish Architecture. I love seeing new designers’ work and this was a rare opportunity to see the work of lots of young architects in one place.
To mark the jubilee of the Nordic Pavilion, designed fifty years ago by Sverre Fehn, the exhibition brings together the work of 32 architects from Finland, Sweden and Norway – all of of whom were born after 1962, the year the pavilion opened. (So, young-ish then!)
Each architecture studio was invited to design a sculptural piece within certain physical parameters that reflected the studio’s approach to architecture whilst also being in keeping with the modernist principles of Fehn’s pavilion.
The 1962 Biennale theme was “common ground” so it was really interesting to see 32 projects from contemporary nordic architects sitting side by side. As well as the commissioned sculptural pieces, each practice had the opportunity to share a current example of their work; showing how they are responding to the issues of the day. It was a compare and contrast exercise in the execution of classic Nordic design principles such as simplicity of form and a respect for materials, daylight and natural surroundings.
I usually find architecture exhibitions quite dry because I find it difficult to visualise how the buildings would work, and how they would make me feel, from technical drawings and scale models. A double-height space doesn’t make you walk taller when it’s only a few inches high! Being able to produce something at 1:1 scale, albeit something sculptural rather than functional, allowed the studios to communicate the way their buildings might make people feel.
The darkness of the room with each piece picked out by a single spotlight had a hushed, reverential effect that added to the sense of drama, but I also appreciated the photos of real life projects with copy to explain them, that grounded all of this into some sort of reality and application.
The pieces pictured include The Tyn Architects Toolbox by Tegnestue Architects; Bird Houses by Elding Oscarson and Pet by Marge Arkitekter, Light House by Hollmen Reuter Sandman Architects: “We wanted to use a light, site-specific, natural material that feels relevant to our own lives, reflecting the landscape and atmosphere of the place”; and Light House by JKMM Architects – in their words: “Architecture has to do with context. Architecture has to do with people. Architecture has to do with making sculptures. Architecture has to do with craft.” Young Nordic Architecture is at the Museum of Finnish Architecture until 22nd September 2013.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: helsinki architecture
- out and about :: rakennetaan puutarha (let’s build a garden)
- out and about :: helsinki design district
- out and about :: helsinki
