Creating the Future

Arkki, the School of Architecture for Children and Youth, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an exhibition on architectural education. The exhibition at Laituri is open free of charge for everyone interested.

Till the end of May several different projects that the kids at Arkki have worked on are on display ranging from drawings to scale models. Works from all age groups (4 -19) are displayed.

Take a look yourself!

Pick your favorite design for the Crown Bridges

A big project for the Helsinki region is the connection of Kruununhaka and Kruunuvuorenranta via Korkeasaari by bridge. But how should this long bridge look like?

Ten international teams entered design suggestions and are competing for the project. But the decision is not made just by the City of Helsinki. The citizens are also asked to give their opinions.

Therefore all ten designs are displayed in Laituri at Kamppi till 9 March and everyone is welcome to give their comment on them. You also find more information on theprojects website.

Take a look and let the city know which design you like most.

Storybook Helsinki and Beyond

When you walk through the streets of Helsinki and open your eyes to some of the buildings around you, you will soon find out that this city is full of architectural treasures.

Exactly this is what happened to Cody Douglas Oreck, the American ambassador’s wife when she explored her new home in 2009 for the first time. Searching for a book to tell her more about those astonishing buildings she soon found out that there was none.

Together with the talented Romanian photographer Octavian Bâlea she started working on exactly such a book. Three years later the Storybook Helsinki and Beyond is now on sale. And it’s worth risking a look. This beautifully illustrated book makes you see buildings you always passed by before in a completely different light.

You can get it from most bookstores in town for 44,95€ or download it as an iBook for about 15 €.

Coffee at the glass palace

Café Lasipalatsi is one of the most traditional cafés in Helsinki. But not just the café, the whole building is an important part of Helsinki.

Lasipalatsi (the glass palace) was built in the 1930s. It is one of the most notable buildings in Helsinki designed in the famous functionalist style. After undergoing some mayor renovation is was reopened in 1998 together with Café Lasipalatsi. This café’s interior is a great example for functionalist inside design. 

But it’s also a great place for a coffee break. Try one of their delicious pastries, an Italian soda or just go for a cup of coffee. While sitting next to one of the big windows you can observe the city life on Mannerheimintie. And during the summer you can sit outside on their huge terrace.

Enjoy!

Modernism in Helsinki

Laituri has an interesting exhibition on display again. Modernismia Helsingissä is about modern architecture in Helsinki. The exhibition displays thirty landmarks in the city that are influenced by modernism. 

Among the buildings chosen are hospitals, schools, cultural, sports and residence buildings. The selection is based on the register of DOCOMOMO, the international organization for the conservation of modern architecture.

The exhibition is free and still ongoing till 8.9. You can find more information on the official website.

Finally open

The Chapel of Silence in the center of Helsinki finally opened its doors for visitors. Outside there is still a lot of work to do and the workers are doing their best to get things done as fast as possible. Inside everything is ready though and now you can see for yourself. Enter the wooden chapel and see the stunning yet simple interior.

 

The opening times are Mondays through Fridays from 7.00 to 20.00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 18.00.

The new University Library building

After years of work and an ugly construction site at Kaisaniemi the new library building of the University of Helsinki has finally been revealed. The new Kaisa House has a pretty astonishing architecture and fits very well between its surrounding buildings. The big glass front ensures a lot of natural light inside and gives the library a unique look. Go and take a look!

Unfortunately due to moving the City Centre Campus Library many of the libraries will be close for several weeks.