The continued evolution of modern Finnish architecture

Finland's architectural history spans over 800 years and is unique in how much it has changed over that time. Traditionally the design of properties was heavily influenced by designs in neighbouring Sweden and Russia. The influx of foreign architects and development of its own field of architecture in the 19th century brought dramatic changes. The country is now regarded as having produced more great architects per capita than any other in the world. Finland is a haven for modern architecture because of the fact that less than 20% of the building stock is pre 1955. This means there are fewer traditional influences and more opportunities to explore modern design. Modernism has become a central part of the culture of the country as a result and led to the creation of some truly stunning properties.Another fantastic aspect of Finnish architecture is the continued use of wood and stone. Both building materials remain immensely popular and architects from the country can use them to create some truly breathtaking designs. Their use is also great from an environmental point of view because they are recyclable and sustainable.The continued popularity of timber in particular can be seen in the fact that the 2015 Finlandia Prize for Architecture has been awarded to an 8 storey block of apartments in Jyvaskyla made from cross-laminated timbers (CLT). The award is offered every year for buildings in Finland by local or foreign architects or those built in other countries by Finnish designers.The Puukoukka building is a unique piece of modern residential architecture built from pre-fabricated modular cubes made from CLT. These are made off site so they can be installed quickly, dramatically reducing the construction time. The use of the modules also brings a uniformity to the design that is astonishing. The timbers are lightweight, provide good insulation and act as a barrier against vapours too.The property is comfortable and welcoming, even down to the stairwells. This provides benefits for all residents and makes their homes lives much more pleasant. The building materials that are used are also a victory for ecological construction, showing what can be done with timbers on a large scale.At Coffey Architects we focus on creating the very best in residential architecture in London and throughout the world and can take great inspiration from the innovative approach the designers took to this property, in terms of materials, construction and aesthetics.