40/40: A young architect from Finland

Author: (Fin) Connor / Long Hao / Jiang Feng / Yuan Huan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Why is Finnish architecture so outstanding? What is its secret? 40/40 provides a map of contemporary Finnish new architecture, featuring the "HP," "HOP," and "HOUSE" of young Finnish architects and painters. "HIP" can be understood as "cool," "HOP" as a jump or transition, and "HOUSE" as the ultimate purpose of architecture—the building that will eventually encompass people. Beyond the differences in sound, today, "HOUSE" is often regarded as the purpose of architecture, which is merely a part of its function. Architecture should be a space with infinite possibilities for development, yet it isn’t! Just as buildings can change their forms, elements, or relationships, young architects seem to be able to as well. Young people often roam between the world and their homeland, making the regional characteristics of a place lose their distinctiveness. However, as Alvar Aalto realized, architects also provide characteristics of other places. Currently, as demonstrated by the improvisation in jazz music, the past heritage and interconnections are essential and necessary for architecture. If young architects cannot keep pace with the turbulent dynamics of contemporary architectural forms or fail to adopt the popular vocabulary and icons within the field, will they lose themselves? Is promotion the ultimate refuge? Or does the work of small countries appear more national and localized simply because their modern architectural strength is so powerful? The reason Finnish buildings are so pleasing to the eye lies largely in the fact that young architects have begun to recognize these issues, as well as the futility of empty theories for architecture—like a sponge hitting a window. From the macro view to the smallest details, from confusion to clarity, from wandering through a maze to seeing the light, what exactly happens in the process of a building transforming from its conceptual edges to a clear center? How many architects exchange their perspectives in this beneficial game? When a building can express itself, is there still a need for architects? After delving deep into the achievements of Finnish architects over the past century, can young architects transform their passion for new ideas and the influence of other disciplines into more profound, more imaginative architecture? 40/40 elucidates the differences between shared and hybrid perspectives while revealing the extraordinary talent and unique ability of young architects in this region to unleash new energy.