International architecture conferences bring together decision-makers, experts and influencers of the built environment in Helsinki

On 12 November, as part of Finland’s EU presidency programme, an international conference on architecture policy, Architecture for Common Good is held in Bio Rex, Helsinki. The day before, Creating the Future III, a conference on architecture education takes the stage. In all, the conferences with their side events offer six days of architecture programme running from 8 to 13 November.

The beautifully restored functionalist style cinema theatre Bio Rex (1936), part of the award-winning Amos Rex Art Museum (2018) by JKMM Architects, reopened last year in the heart of Helsinki as a venue for various events. During consecutive days in November, it hosts two international architecture conferences.

Creating the Future III
International Conference on Architecture Education
10–11 November 2019
Annantalo, Annankatu 30, Helsinki
Bio Rex, Mannerheimintie 22–24, Helsinki

The seminar programme of the Creating the Future III conference on Monday, 11 November is held at Bio Rex, whereas the pedagogical workshops on Sunday, 10 November are held at Annantalo Arts Centre, also in the city centre.

The themes of the two-day conference include the significance of the built environment in education, participatory design, sustainable architecture, and learning through play. The programme consists of speakers from sixteen countries, and the event will gather together the most renowned experts in architecture education for children and youth. The keynote speaker is neuroscientist, Professor Minna Huotilainen from the University of Helsinki. International experts will present their best projects, methods, games and educational materials. Through the participatory workshops, the attendees will get acquainted with a variety of pedagogical approaches. See the full programme on Arkki's website here.

The third edition of Creating the Future – the previous ones held in 2009 and 2014 – is organised by Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth and Arkki International together with Archinfo Finland. The conference is organised in celebration of the 25-year jubilee of Arkki in conjunction with the UIA (Union Internationale des Architectes) Architecture & Children Working Programme meeting held in Helsinki on 8–9 November.

Register and buy your ticket to the conference by 25 November through Arkki's website through this link.

Architecture for Common Good
International Architecture Conference
12 November 2019
Bio Rex, Mannerheimintie 22–24, Helsinki

On Tuesday, 12 November, Bio Rex is taken over by Architecture for Common Good. The conference on architecture policies brings together decision-makers, experts and influencers of the built environment. The event is part of the Finnish EU presidency programme and supports the recently launched programme work for a new architectural policy in Finland. The conference is organised by the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland and Archinfo Finland.

The keynotes and debates explore architecture’s potential to create common good by combining cultural, social, economic, environmental and technical perspectives to the built environment. The programme is held in three sessions: Policy Perspectives, Cultural and Social Dimensions and Climate Solutions. The speakers include, among others, Helena Bjarnegård, State Architect of Sweden,Tamas Szucs,Director, European Commission DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, and Anne Mette Rahbæk, Development Manager of Realdania By & Byg, Denmark. The conference is opened by Hanna Kosonen, Minister of Science and Culture, Finland. See the full programme here. https://www.safa.fi/commongood/

The conference is free of charge. Please register by 27 October on Survey Pal through this link.

Additional programme is offered in conjunction with the conference. On Tuesday evening, there is a guided tour to the new Helsinki Central Library Oodi (ALA Architects 2018), and on Wednesday, 13 November, an all-day excursion is organised to Alvar Aalto’s early masterpiece, Paimio Sanatorium (1933). The places are limited – you will receive further information on signing up to the additional programme upon conference registration.

Further questions:

Miina Jutila, head of communications
Archinfo Finland
miina.jutila@archinfo.fi

Sini Parikka, producer
Archinfo Finland
sini.parikka@archinfo.fi