Helsinki, Tapiola, Otaniemi, Viikki, Finland

Arrived after a very long flight. City is very walkable with great transportation system. Contextual buildings are a bit on the dreary side in my opinion, perhaps due to the Russian rule in the 1800's, or maybe it's just the overcast weather. Contrasted against it's sociallistic forms and motives, are abundant contemporary Finnish design and the presence of Aalto's work. I am guessing that the vast majority of the international tourists I see are here to visit his buildings.

Second day: we got rained on pretty hard. Finlandia Hall was closed, but I was surprisingly impressed with Holl's Kiasma, and his ability to wash light in a variety of sculpural moves, as with his St. Ignatius chapel in Seattle.

To highlight Helsinki in no particular order:


Auditorium, University of Technology, Aalto

Tapiola Church


Habitare '07: Design Contest for a reading environment

Habitare 07: Container City
Individual containers filled with art installations

Kiasma, Steven Holl

Artek Pavillion (temporary installation), Shigeru Ban


Academic Bookstore, Aalto



Temppeliaukio Church


Aalto House

Viikki: small development near Helsinki. Eco-Housing includes lots of pv's slolar thermal systems, community gardens, bus and bike lanes. Also with an elegant church.