Talli Architecture & Design has been invited to the Venice Biennale main exhibition ‘Freespace’. The practices participating in the exhibition were chosen by the main curator duo Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell.Talli Architecture & Design is best known for the block of loft flats ‘Tila’ completed in Helsinki’s Arabianranta district some ten years ago. The concept adopted the principles of open building and DIY methods, where the 39 spatial units were left unfinished for the occupants to design and build their dwellings according to their wishes. Another neo-loft block of flats by Talli is under construction in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki and due to be completed next year.Other recent Talli projects include Jallukka House for Musicians and the Greenest Block of Flats, both completed last year in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki. These innovative and experimental projects were direct commissions, but many of Talli’s projects have been initiated and actively pushed forward to realisation by the partner architects Pia Ilonen and Minna Lukander themselves.“This year’s biennale theme ‘Freespace’ suits perfectly our mindset. We have always strived to create spaces that enable inspiring uses and life as freely as possible, whether the question is to build a new building or to give new life to an old building. For twenty years we have given talks on this subject in Central European conferences, and now we are thrilled to have been given a chance to make our voices heard on this prestigious international arena in Venice as well,” rejoices Pia Ilonen.During the nearly forty years of the biennial international architecture exhibition, Finnish practices have been featured at the main exhibition only a few times. In the 2016 exhibition ‘Reporting from the Front’ Alejandro Aravena invited the architect trio Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter and Helena Sandman to participate with their socially and humanely responsible architecture. Also this year’s theme ‘Freespace’ has a strong social undertone.Further information on Talli Architecture & Design’s works may be found at the Finnish Architecture Navigator administered by Archinfo Finland and the office’s website.The main exhibition of La Biennale Architettura 2018 will also feature the Finnish architect Sami Rintala whose office Rintala Eggertsson Architects practices in Norway.Finland has a strong presence in Venice this year. The Alvar Aalto Pavilion’s exhibition discussing libraries is conceived by Archinfo Finland and the Museum of Finnish Architecture is in charge of the Nordic Pavilion. Other Finnish participation in the satellite exhibitions and official programme will be published later on.
La Biennale di Venezia 2018
16th International Architecture Exhibition ‘Freespace’
Open to public from 26 May to 25 November
Preview days on 24–25 May
