Department of Architecture
We train professionals to design human-centred environments.
Alusta pavilion – Environmentally conscious architecture
A place for encounters between humans and non-human animals in urban space.
When
–
Where
Museum of Finnish Architecture
Kasarmikatu 24, 00130 Helsinki
Courtyard
How can we break the dichotomy between nature and culture through architecture? What kind of space unites rather than separates? How can we live together with the more-than-human community? These questions are discussed at the Alusta Pavilion.
The pavilion is built on the courtyard between the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum in Helsinki, and it is open to the public from June 2022 to October 2023.
The project explores nature-culture relations and offers a place for encounters between humans and non-human animals in urban space. The pavilion functions as a platform for environmental discourse, both on the level of its form and materiality, and the different activities which take place there.
It comprises a pollinator friendly meadow and structures made with clay in its different forms; unfired and fired brick and rammed earth. Alusta is realised by a multidisciplinary group lead by Suomi/Koivisto architects.
A human-friendly, giant insect hotel emerged in the middle of the city
Alusta, built from clay and populated by plants, is a sanctuary for pollinators and a meeting place for all living things.
Alusta offers a space for thinking about our place as part of a more than human community. The pavilion takes its form through collaboration of plants, human visitors, natural processes and passage of time. The clay and wood structures offer habitats for people, plants and insects. Fungi take part in maintaining the natural cycles and offer shelter and nutrition to insects.
In collaboration with ecologists from the University of Helsinki, the project explores increasing biodiversity in the urban environment and demonstrating the importance of soil and its microbes for the wellbeing of the ecosystem. The human visitor can participate in caring for the soil and plants and in building the pavilion.
Events and open discussions
Alusta pavilion hosts a series of events and open discussions during the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023. The events bring together professionals from different fields to discuss our relationship to the environment on practical, emotional and experiental levels.
Addressing the complex environmental crisis calls for cultural change and transformation of the established values and mindsets. How can architecture contribute to renewing our connection with the living nature?
You are warmly welcome to join us to ponder our place and role in more-than-human world!
Alusta Pavilion
Wed 13.9.2023 postponed due to the weather warning
New event: Sat 16.9.2023 at 12.00 pm (in English / free entry)
Alusta research pavilion was built in the spring of 2022 and will be dismantled in the fall of 2023. It explores nature-culture relations and offers a place for encounters between humans and non-human animals in urban space. Welcome to hear about the themes of the project, the future of the pavilion and to share your own experiences.
Speakers: Elina Koivisto and Maiju Suomi, the architects of the pavilion
The event is part of the Design museum and Museum of Finnish Architecture program for Helsinki Design Week and part of Aalto University’s Designs for a Cooler Planet event.
Invisible: From a mini-sized supersensor to a forgotten building material - the exhibition will make the invisible visible
Alusta: Aesthetics and the Environmental Crisis
Wed 17 August at 6 pm
in English / free entry
Environmental philosopher Sanna Lehtinen from Aalto University discusses aesthetics, nature culture relations and the possibility of change.
Night of the Arts in the Alusta pavilion
Thu 18 August at 8 pm & 10 pm
in Finnish / free entry
at 8 pm
Ecotheologist, docent Panu Pihkala from the University of Helsinki and artist Patrik Söderlund from the artist duo IC-98 discuss feelings evoked by the environmental crisis and art as a tool to face them.
at 10 pm
As the sun goes down, a work by the artist duo IC-98 called Näkymä vastarannalta (“View from the opposite shore”) is displayed.
Alusta: On the Relationship of Humans and Non-human Animals
Sat 27 August at 3 pm
in Finnish / free entry
Docent Elisa Aaltola from the University of Turku has focused on animal and environmental issues and moral psychology. Aaltola talks about the relationship between humans and non-human animals
Alusta: Loss of Biodiversity & Urban Design
Wed 31 August at 6 pm
in Finnish / free entry
Assistant professor of landscape design and ecology Elisa Lähde from Aalto University and docent of urban ecology Kati Vierikko from the Finnish Environmental Center discuss the loss of biodiversity and how designers can respond to it in urban environments.
Alusta: Care, Architecture & Materiality
Fri 2 September at 5 pm
in English / free entry
What would happen if we were to cease treating construction materials as something separate from us that is there for us to utilize and discard as we wish? How could we care more for our buildings and materials in them and how could they care for us in exchange? What kind of architecture binds us to our material world? Discussion on the role of materials in architecture & introduction to pavilion materials, clay and biochar.
Speakers are Matti Kuittinen, Architect, Adjunct Professor, Resource-efficient construction and environmental impacts, Aalto University and Elina Koivisto, Architect, University Teacher
in Building Technology, Aalto University.
Alusta: Architecture & Empathy
Sat 3 September at 3 pm
in English / free entry
Minimizing the negative impacts of construction is not enough – how can architecture contribute to the wellbeing of the community, both human and nonhuman? How does design change when it is based on empathy? Discussing Architecture and empathy are Associate Professor (tenure track) in Housing Design Sofie Pelsmakers from Tampere University and Architect, Doctoral Researcher
Maiju Suomi from Aalto University.
The event is in English and situated in Alusta Pavilion, located between the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum. The location is outdoors. The event is free and there is no pre-registration.
Alusta: Making in the More Than Human World
Wed 7 September at 5 pm
in English / free entry
How does moving beyond the anthropocentric attitude change a designer’s perspective? Who is the author when natural processes, plants and non-human animals take part in
shaping the outcome? What is the role of the material in the making?
Speakers are Maarit Mäkelä, Associate Professor, Practice Led Design Research, Aalto University, Maiju Suomi, Architect & Doctoral Researcher, Aalto University and Aarni Tujula, Bachelor of Arts, Aalto University. The event is in English and situated in Alusta Pavilion, located between the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum. The location is outdoors. The event is free and there is no pre-registration.
Alusta: Architecture as a Tool for Environmental Discussion
Wed 14 September 2022 at 5 pm
in Finnish / free entry
Together with the Vapaa and You Tell Me collectives and Panu Savolainen, professor of the history of architecture at Aalto University, we ponder how architecture can promote environmental discussion and contribute to building a new relationship with nature.
Night of the Arts in the Alusta Pavilion
Thu 17.8.2023 At 5pm-6pm in Finnish // 8pm-9pm in English (free entry).
In this workshop we slow down to listen and follow the movements of the more than human world. Who do we share this space with? What kind of feelings and thoughts this encounter raises? The workshop requires focused presence so please join us in time.
Soil Matters
Wed 23.8.2023 at 5.30pm (in English / free entry)
Soil is an active, living entity that sustains life. How is soil? What can we do for it? What can it do for us? How can we strengthen our connection to soil and learn to understand different meaning it embodies by the means of art and architecture?
Speakers: visual artists Nina Rantala and Visa Suonpää (IC-98), docent of microbiology Kim Yrjälä, and architect, doctoral researcher Elina Koivisto, Aalto University.
Degrowth and Architecture
Tue 29.8.2023 at 5.30pm (in English / free entry)
Degrowth movement aims at a sustainable, healthy and democratic society that isn’t based on continuous growth. In an ecologically sustainable society care, environmental preservation and freetime are valued. What could architecture be like in this setting and how would it be made?
Speakers are activist-scholar Eeva Houtbeckers, University of Turku and architect, doctoral researcher Elina Koivisto, Aalto University.
Material cycles in construction
Wed 6.9.2023 at 5.30pm (in English / free entry)
Matter and energy form endless natural cycles on earth. How could human action, including building construction, find its place as part of these cycles again? How long can materials rotate in human use and what happens after?
Speakers are Ville Lähde, researcher in environmental philosophy and politics, BIOS research unit, and architect, doctoral researcher Elina Koivisto, Aalto University.
Alusta is part of architect Maiju Suomi’s practice-led doctoral research at Aalto University Department of Design. It also acts as a test laboratory for architect Elina Koivisto’s inquiry into natural materials in construction.
- The project is realized in collaboration with Raseko earth building school and students of design and architecture in Aalto University.
- The project is supported by Abl-Laatat, Fiskars, University of Helsinki, Hyötykasviyhdistys, Iki Carbon, Ilmarinen, Kekkilä Oy, Kääpä Biotech, Rudus Oy, Stark Suomi Oy, Suomen pintakäsittely, Uula Color Oy and Wienerberger Oy.
- The project is funded by the Kordelin Foundation, The Arts Promotion Centre of Finland, and the Greta and William Lehtinen Foundation.
Contact
Department of Design
The Department of Design is a diverse community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. In design, we appreciate technical skill, social significance and artistic expression.
Interplay of Cultures Studio 2022 Sámi: Architecture that leaves no trace in the environment
The Interplay of Cultures 2022 studio is a masters level course at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Architecture. This year the studio explored Sámi cultures and their way of relating to our material reality.
Designs for a Cooler Planet
Open exhibitions and events in Otaniemi from 6 Sept to 6 Oct 2023 with the theme Invisible – what don't we see even though we should?