Back to articles

Fine Finnish studios at the Time-Space-Existence exhibition 2016

Atacama Deck venice2016 1

The official programme of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2016 includes the "Time Space Existence" exhibition which is open for public from 28 May to 27 November, 2016. The exhibition takes place at two prestigious locations hosted by the European Cultural Centre: Palazzo Bembo and Palazzo Mora. The exhibition has been produced by the Global Art Affairs Foundation and it presents over 100 architects from 6 continents.Three Finnish architecture firms showcase their office portfolios. Architects Kouvo & Partanen will present the ALMA Atacama Residence (the winning proposal for an invited international architecture competition in 2011), and the Tampere Music Academy (the winning proposal for an international architecture competition in 2014). In addition, the office provides some highlights of their older projects such as the Kaukametsä Cultural Centre in Kajaani (1984–88), Kankaanpää Art School (1995), Finno School and Daycare Centre (2002), and the Sofianlehto group housing project for disabled (2013).[caption id="attachment_3256" align="aligncenter" width="618"]Lobby area of the Tampere Music Academy. Kouvo & Partanen Architects. Lobby area of the Tampere Music Academy. Kouvo & Partanen Architects.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3257" align="aligncenter" width="618"]Image of the scale model for the Tampere Music Academy. Kouvo & Partanen Architects. Image of the scale model for the Tampere Music Academy. Kouvo & Partanen Architects.[/caption]B&M Architects exhibit their development project for the historical Bunkkeri (Bunker) building in Jätkäsaari, the rapidly developing, former harbour area in Helsinki. The massive cast-in-place concrete warehouse will be transformed into a hybrid block which fuses housing, indoor sports facilities and cultural services. The project is based on a public-private partnership between the City of Helsinki and construction company SRV.[caption id="attachment_3260" align="aligncenter" width="618"]The Bunker around 1970. Photo: Eino Heinonen / Helsinki City Image Archives. The Bunker around 1970. Photo: Eino Heinonen / Helsinki City Image Archives.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3258" align="aligncenter" width="800"]The new Bunkkeri complex by B&M Architects. The new Bunkkeri complex by B&M Architects.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3259" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Visualisation of the Bunker courtyard. Image by B&M Architects. Visualisation of the Bunker courtyard. Image by B&M Architects.[/caption]Helin & Co Architects appear on the exhibition with a presentation designed by architect Hannele Grönlund. The thematic emphasis of the display is wood as a means of artistic expression and a medium of experience. The projects on display include both smaller, private commissions as well as their widely published office buildings such as the Nokia Headquarters and Extension (Espoo, Finland, 1997, 2001), Parliament House Annexe (Helsinki, Finland, 2004), Finnforest Modular Office (Espoo, Finland, 2005), and Metsä Wood Group and MELA Headquarters (Espoo, Finland, 2012/13).[caption id="attachment_3263" align="aligncenter" width="618"]Metsä Wood Group and MELA Headquarters by Helin & Co Architects. Photo by Mandi Halonen. Metsä Wood Group and MELA Headquarters by Helin & Co Architects. Photo by Mandi Halonen.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3262" align="aligncenter" width="618"]Villa Krona by Helin & Co Architects. Photo by Pekka Helin. Villa Krona by Helin & Co Architects. Photo by Pekka Helin.[/caption]Architect SAFA Michael Donalds, who lives and works on the Åland Islands, participates in the exhibition with the Welcome Home project which is a study of immigration, multiculturalism of dwelling, and the spatial relationship between a person and her landscape. The office has developed a scale model tool called "The Snailhouse" with which people can explore their own, individual spatial preferences.[caption id="attachment_3322" align="aligncenter" width="518"]The Snailhouse by architect SAFA Michael Donalds. The Snailhouse by architect SAFA Michael Donalds.[/caption]For further information about the Time-Space-Existence exhibition, please visit: www.globalartaffairs.org.Editor’s note 26 April, 2016. We have updated this post with information about Michael Donalds’ exhibition project.