Finland (Alvar Aalto Pavilion) 2018

Title: “Mind-building”
Commissioner: Hanna Harris, Archinfo Finland. Curator: Anni Vartola. Exhibitors: ALA Architects, Anttinen Oiva Architects, Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architects, Antti Auvinen & Marja Rautaharju, Helander-Leiviskä Architects, Helin & Co Architects, JKMM Architects, K2S Architects, Helmi Kajaste, Martti Kalliala, Mustonen Architects, Architects NRT, Tuomo Siitonen Architects, Valvomo Architects

Titled “Mind-Building”, the exhibition explores the development of Finnish library architecture and showcases Finland’s leading role in developing the libraries of the future. Mind-Building rests on the idea of the public library as a case-study of modern monumentality. The exhibition considers libraries as buildings that remind us of the values of the civic society and the power of enlightenment.
The exhibition showcases Finnish libraries through a thematic selection of architectural designs, objects and specially commissioned sound and video work. The earliest library is the Rikhardinkatu public library from 1881 – the first building in Finland designed specifically for library use – whereas the newest example is the Helsinki Central Library designed by ALA Architects and due to open in December 2018.