Postmodernism returned the forgotten values to Finnish architecture at the end of the 20th century
20.08.2014
A recent dissertation shows that the postmodernist trend was of central importance in the rise of Finnish architecture to new international fame.
Initially, postmodernism in Finnish architectural vocabulary was understood just as a fad affecting the appearance of buildings. Buildings with playful forms, colours and imitations of traditional building features rose alongside the ‘box trend’ of the 1970's. Later on, the trend also changed the way the meaning of architecture and its artistic role were understood.
In her doctoral dissertation Anni Vartola, Lic. Sc. (Tech.) from Aalto University, investigated the attitudes towards postmodernism in Finland and the impacts that the trend had on Finnish architecture. The dissertation traces the image of Finnish architecture and architectural values at the end of the 20th century.
'In the architecture of the 1970's and 1980's, Finland was seen as a single-minded country. Modernism was entrenched as the language of expression. Postmodernism was regarded as light-hearted entertainment, a fad from America, which did not suit to the conditions in Finland. The style was seen as a threat to the legacy of Finnish architecture', Vartola explains.
Gradually, the ideology of postmodernism was accepted, and a new kind of architectural thinking was assimilated among the ideals of Finnish architecture of the 1990's.
'Postmodernism revived forgotten architectural values, including user-oriented design, respect to local traditions and memorable exposure to architecture. These themes were of central importance in the development which raised Finnish architecture to new international fame in the 1990's,' Vartola tells.
The results of the seminal research are based on debates Vartola collected from 1970's–1990's architectural and construction industry publications. In addition, Vartola interviewed ten architects active in that time and visited more than a hundred construction works in different parts of Finland.
Public examination of the thesis
The public examination of the doctoral dissertation ‘Kuritonta monimuotoisuutta: postmodernismi suomalaisessa arkkitehtuurissa’ (in English: ‘Undisciplined diversity: postmodernism in Finnish architecture’) will take place on Friday, 29 August 2014 at 12 noon, at the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, in lecture hall E, Otakaari 1, Espoo. Professor Emerita Kaisa Broner-Bauer, D.Sc. (Tech.) from the University of Oulu, will act as the opponent. The dissertation can be ordered from the online book shop of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture: shop.aalto.fi, information: artsbooks [at] aalto [dot] fi, tel. +358 (0)50 313 7086.
Additional information:
Anni Vartola
tel. +358 (0)50 320 3580
anni.vartola [at] arkvv [dot] fi