Living in Nature installation

The exhibition entitled ‘LIVING IN NATURE’ on the subject of architecture and landscape in modern Finland, with projects by 10 leading Finnish architecture firms was presented last year at Moscow Architecture Biennale. The architecture of Finland has its roots in nature both literally and metaphorically. Natural simplicity, ecological soundness, and sustainability – everything that is for some countries an unrealizable dream and for others the result of persistent work – has in the case of Finland always been, and will always be, the reality in which this country’s architecture develops. Works by Finnish architects are inseparable from the natural environment; an understanding of human activity as a constituent part of the life of nature is the basis of the entire design process, regardless of the scale and purpose of a building. This is perfectly demonstrated by the ten projects which have been selected for the exhibition: for all the variety of types and scales of structure (whether we are talking about a small structure such as a temporary installation, a large mixed-use complex, or an urban-planning project), the focus of attention is always human beings and their relationship with their environment, and the planning and structural solutions chosen are based on emphasizing in this dialogue if not the incontrovertible primacy of nature, then its voice as an equal participant. The installation consists of crisscrossing blocks of wood whose illuminated ends exhibit photographs of the chosen projects. This concept is a metaphorical reference to Finland’s tradition of building from wood, a tradition which is actively developing today. For visitor it has also become a wonderful public space to seat and have a rest.