: "From Wood to Architecture: Recent Designs from Finland" takes a
fresh look at the possibilities offered by the oldest of building
materials: wood. Organized by The Museum of Finnish Architecture,
the exhibition explores the current resurgence of wood as a
building material. It presents 17 recently constructed buildings
in Finland ranging from cultural centers to summer cottages to
churches. The architects include established, internationally
known figures such as Kristian Gullichsen, Mikko Heikkinen, and
Markku Komonen as well as a new generation of young designers,
including Anssi Lassila and Ville Hara.
"From Wood to Architecture" received rave reviews when it
premiered at the 2004 Venice Biennale in the Alvar Aalto-designed
Finnish pavilion. On view at the Museum of Finnish Architecture
in Helsinki, Finland, during the summer of 2005, it is currently
circulating as a traveling exhibition in the United States and
Europe.
It will be at Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America
from May 26 to August 25.
With two-thirds of Finland covered by forest, timber - both in
nature and the built environment - is intimately associated with
the image of the country. While the use of wood has decreased
during the past 40 years, new opportunities for structural use
and surface treatment are restoring this material to the
prominent and visible role that it used to have in both urban and
rural contexts. The use of wood is an architectural trend today,
both in Finland and internationally.
Kärsämäki shingle Church, Anssi Lassila, Kärsämäki, Finland,
2004. -Jussi Tiainen photo
"From Wood to Architecture" introduces 17 recent buildings
showing a diversity of function, scale, and context as well as
approaches to construction and surface treatment. Structural uses
range from solid logwork to glued timber and laminates. Battens,
boards, sheeting and even shingles, are used for covering and
cladding purposes.
Among the structures in "From Wood to Architecture" are a summer
house by Olavi Koponen that blends into the Finnish archipelago;
a shingle church by Anssi Lassila built using traditional
Eighteenth Century methods without electricity, machines, or
concrete; and Kimmo Lintula's and Hannu Tikka's simultaneously
monumental and intimate Sibelius Hall, the new home of the
world-renowned Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
An exhibition catalog produced by the Museum of Finnish
Architecture, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year,
accompanies the exhibition.
The Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America is at 58 Park
Avenue (between 37th and 38th Streets). For information,
212-879-9779 or www.scandinaviahouse.org.
