Archinfo Finland

19/10/2026

The future of Puistola primary school has been actively discussed by local residents and the association Puistolan kansakoulun ystävät for about two years. Having followed the conversation, our communications trainee Nora Petersen reflects in a new blog on what a building remembers when it falls empty, and why protection can and maybe should begin with residents.

Jokaisella rakennuksella on kaksi olemusta: materiaalinen ja henkinen. Materiaalinen on kivi, laasti ja ikkunalasi; sitä, mikä seisoo paikallaan,…

13/10/2026

What happens when sustainability, inclusion and beauty are treated as one design challenge? That is the idea behind the New European Bauhaus, an EU initiative that supports projects improving everyday living environments. 🌿

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) themes this year bring together circularity, local democracy and the role of arts, culture and heritage as drivers of change. The NEB Prizes highlight real-life projects that improve everyday living environments. The prizes provide a European platform for initiatives that are community-driven, innovative and rooted in place.

The NEB Prizes 2026 ceremony takes place on Thursday 15 October, 13:00–15:30 CEST (14:00–16:30 Finnish time), and can be followed online. The 13 winners of this year's prizes will be announced, together with the 20 municipalities selected for the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities. 🥂 ✨

Watch the ceremony here: https://prizes.new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/neb-prizes-2026-ceremony

05/10/2026

Arkkitehtuurin Finlandia -voittaja on Kuusijärven savusaunat! 🌲🏆

Vantaalla sijaitsevan savusauna-kokonaisuuden ovat suunnitelleet Mer Arkkitehdit ja Arkkitehtuuri- ja muotoilutoimisto Talli.

Neljän finalistikohteen joukosta voittajan valitsi eurooppalaiseen filosofiaan ja aatehistoriaan erikoistunut tutkija ja tietokirjailija Timo Miettinen.

”Kuusijärven savusaunat osoittavat, että kauneus, kestävyys ja korkea tekninen laatu voivat kuulua kaikille”, Miettinen sanoi.

Mer Arkkitehtien Julia Hertell iloitsee, että myös pienimuotoisempi, paikallisesti tärkeä kohde voi nousta Arkkitehtuurin Finlandian voittajaksi.

Jenni Hölttä Arkkitehtuuri- ja muotoilutoimisto Tallista kiittää hankkeen tilaajaa, Vantaan kaupunkia, rohkeasta asenteesta.

📍Kuusijärven savusaunat, Vantaa
📐Mer Arkkitehdit + Arkkitehtuuri- ja muotoilutoimisto Talli
📸 Miina Jutila, Kalle Kouhia, Marc Goodwin

Arkkitehtuurin Finlandia Suomen Arkkitehtiliitto SAFA Mer Architects Talli Architecture & Design

25/09/2026

Archinfo visit to Hanasaari!

As part of our team day, we spent a sunny September morning at Hanasaari Power Plant in Helsinki. Päivi Hietanen, Project Director at the City of Helsinki, guided us through the former power plant’s remarkable spaces, history and future.

The power plant has stood as a colossal presence on Helsinki’s eastern shoreline since it was completed in 1976. As Helsinki shifted towards more sustainable energy solutions, its role as a power plant came to an end in 2023, opening an exciting new chapter for the site.

Architect Timo Penttilä masterfully softened the building’s massive scale by grouping smaller facilities around the central generator hall. Through a quiet mastery of detail, he transformed an everyday production facility into what has been described as a huge urban sculpture.

An international design and implementation competition kicks off this autumn to shape what comes next, and the turbine hall, office tower, chimney and Social Building will be preserved. The surrounding 17-hectare area will become a new city district.

We were especially delighted to discover that the former power plant houses no fewer than seven saunas for its workers. The carefully considered 1970s colour palette of orange, blue, green and yellow was also a welcome reminder that even a power plant can reflect joy and style. 🧡💙💚💛

Check out more on finnisharchitecture.fi

📍 Hanasaari B Power Plant, Helsinki
📐 Timo Penttilä, 1976
🏗️ International competition opens late 2026, winner announced spring 2029
📸 Elias Jurvanen / Archinfo

03/09/2026

Come join us tomorrow, Friday 4 September, for Architecture Spotlight Hour at Habitare Pro!

Meet six intriguing architecture practices in our new event concept, Architecture Spotlight, where you can hear a three-minute pitch from each office.

The event will take place at the Habitare Pro Workshop area from 13:00–13:45, and the main language will be English. Also check out other inspiring Architecture Focus Day events at Archinfo.fi.

Swipe right to meet all six architecture practices participating in this event. 👉

1/6: JADA Architects is a growing Helsinki-based architecture practice focused on high-quality urban architecture and a better future for cities, supporting the well-being of both people and nature. JADA’s work emphasises the wise use of all kinds of resources and a grounded approach to architecture.

Design projects include renovation and extension of listed buildings and new public service buildings. In addition the office participates in and organises architectural competitions.

📸

Habitare

Come join us tomorrow, Friday 4 September, for Architecture Spotlight Hour at Habitare Pro!

Meet six intriguing architecture practices in our new event concept, Architecture Spotlight, where you can hear a three-minute pitch from each office.

The event will take place at the Habitare Pro Workshop area from 13:00–13:45, and the main language will be English. Also check out other inspiring Architecture Focus Day events at Archinfo.fi.

2/6: Noon is a Helsinki-based architectural practice with a special emphasis on existing environments. The practice is committed to advancing regenerative architecture and the green transition through design.

Recognising the value and potential of what already exists, Noon prioritises the repair, care, and adaptive transformation of buildings, with the aim of creating meaningful buildings and spaces of all scales that people cherish and preserve for generations to come.

📸 Noon Architects

Habitare

Come join us tomorrow, Friday 4 September, for Architecture Spotlight Hour at Habitare Pro!

Meet six intriguing architecture practices in our new event concept, Architecture Spotlight, where you can

01/09/2026

: The Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2026 finalists are revealed! 🏆

In 2026, four projects have been shortlisted for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture. All the nominated projects represent sustainable solutions and high architectural quality. The winner will be announced on 5 October!

Swipe right to discover all the nominees. 👉

📍 Kuusijärvi Smoke Saunas
📐 Mer Architects & Talli Architects
📸 Kalle Kouhia

Located in Vantaa, the new smoke saunas continue the long sauna-building tradition at Lake Kuusijärvi. The new facilities respond to the increasing demand for year-round sauna services, while providing new traditional smoke saunas and accessible dressing and shower facilities.

The buildings are set on a slope at the edge of the woods, with dark timber-clad exteriors and hipped green roofs relating to the surrounding landscape. The saunas are accessed from the dressing and shower rooms via an outdoor space, creating a direct connection with the surrounding nature. Pathways, views and cooling-off areas form a sequence of spaces that brings the landscape into the sauna experience.

Read more at finnisharchitecture.fi ✨

Mer Architects Talli Architecture & Design Vantaan kaupunki - Vanda Stad - City of Vantaa Suomen Arkkitehtiliitto SAFA Arkkitehtuurin Finlandia

: The Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2026 finalists are revealed! 🏆

In 2026, four projects have been shortlisted for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture. All the nominated projects represent sustainable solutions and high architectural quality. The winner will be announced on 5 October!

📍 As Oy Helsingin Muurarimestari
📐 Avarrus Architects
📸 Tuomas Uusheimo

Muurarimestari is a residential building designed for long-term use, with solid brick exterior walls, solar panels and reduced car parking in favour of bicycle parking. Naturally ventilated, dual-aspect homes are arranged in a variety of layouts and sizes, with balconies providing a direct connection to the outdoors.

Shared spaces support communal living, while technical elements have been left visible rather than concealed. Radiators, pipework and wall vents form par

31/08/2026

Architecture takes the spotlight at Habitare Pro’s Architecture Focus Day on 4 September. 🏛️

Habitare Pro is the professional platform within Habitare, bringing together brands, architects, interior designers, developers, retailers and other design decision-makers around business, inspiration and new ideas. Across 2–6 September, the programme combines an international speaker lineup, talks, workshops, product launches and networking opportunities – all in the professional Habitare Pro area.

On 4 September, Archinfo joins Habitare Pro as the content partner for Architecture Focus Day. The programme includes an international keynote by Lev Bratishenko, discussions on architecture and the Venice Architecture Biennale, Architect Spotlight Hour, and Creative Pitch: Brands Meet Architects.

📍 Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
📅 2–6 September 2026 | Architecture Focus Day 4 September

Are you a professional working in architecture, design or the built environment? Register for Habitare Pro at habitare.fi/en/habitare-pro and join us!

Habitare

29/08/2026

At today’s event announcing our partnership with the University of Oulu for the 2027 Venice Biennale, Henrika Pihlajaniemi, Associate Professor at the Oulu School of Architecture, highlighted the role of teaching in the collaboration.

In autumn 2026, the Oulu School of Architecture will organise a course whose participants will have the opportunity to apply for internships at the Biennale Architettura 2027 in Venice.

“Researchers’ work often reaches only an expert audience within the field. The collaboration around the Biennale project offers an excellent opportunity to bring this work, as well as important topical research themes, to the world’s largest architecture event – while also introducing our students to the world of international exhibitions.”
— Henrika Pihlajaniemi

After the discussion, we continued the pleasant conversations with our guests and participants.🥂

Thank you to all who joined us today at Aaltosiilo!

📸 Emmi-Eerika Viita

Oulun yliopisto - University of Oulu Pavilion of Finland at the Biennale Architettura AaltoSiilo

29/08/2026

We’re excited to announce a partnership for the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale with the University of Oulu School of Architecture!🥂✨

”The University of Oulu is a natural partner for us as we seek to bring research from northern Finland to international audiences.”
— Katarina Siltavuori, Director of Archinfo.

”Being selected as a partner for the Pavilion of Finland is a recognition of the quality of our research, both nationally and internationally,”
— Mirja Illikainen, Vice Rector of the University of Oulu.

The partnersip was announced today at Aaltosiilo in Oulu. The announcement was followed by a panel discussion with curator Kaisa Karvinen and researchers Henrika Pihlajaniemi and Jenni Hakovirta, exploring the connection between research and architecture exhibitions.

What a nice way to celebrate the end-of-summer festival known as Venetian Night!

📸 Emmi-Eerika Viita

Oulun yliopisto - University of Oulu Pavilion of Finland at the Biennale Architettura AaltoSiilo

07/08/2026

The 3rd edition of our super-popular Helsinki Architecture & Design Highlights map has just arrived! 🔥

Featuring 125 architecture and design highlights across Helsinki – including restaurants, hotels, saunas, and museums – the new edition also celebrates Aalto Works, the latest addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Five of the 13 sites in the series, designed by Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto, are located in Helsinki. 💫

The map will soon be available at a range of locations, including the Architecture & Design Museum, tourist information points, and selected hotels, shops and galleries. Pick up your free copy!

Created by Archinfo and Finnish Design Info and designed by graphic designer Sofia Pusa, the map is your guide to discovering Helsinki’s unique architecture and design. A special thanks to the City of Helsinki for its continued support of the map. ❤️

🎨 Sofia Pusa
📹 Miina Jutila & Emmi-Eerika Viita

Helsingin kaupunki MyHelsinki Sofia Pusa Finlandia-talo / Finlandia Hall Alvar Aalto Foundation Kela | Fpa Kulttuuritalo New Museum of Architecture and Design, Helsinki, Finland Finnish Design Info Archinfo Finland