If you go to Helsinki this summer you can get a very good idea of the current state of Architecture and Design in Finland by going to three exhibitions. There is the the Asuntomessut (Housing Fair) in Espoo, the 0405 Architecture Exhibition at the Finnish Architecture Museum and at the Design museum there is the Koskinen and Suppanen exhibition showcasing two of my favourite Finnish designers. Kotilo (Seashell House) by Olavi Koponen is probably the most interesting home at the Asuntomessut. A building designed by Koponen to be his own home. Literally designed around a fireplace of which almost all the spaces of the house are twisted around. The house has a grass roof and timber shingles externally in Larch from Siberia and internally of Aspen from Finland. Its also featured in A10 magazine #10. It definetly has a strong organic feel both inside and out but also perhaps a little surprisingly of a bohemian 70’s residence because of the carpeted stepped space and round orange bed! Definetly very little privacy and not for everyone, but a really spacious and open feel. Very much a departure from the norm and a small gem. See my flickr slideshow of it. Also by Olarvi Koponen Villa Len Villa Längbo Kotilo
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[...] Villa Långbo is described in detail on Kopenen’s site, here. All three houses can be seen on Europa Concorsi. Lewism has a rather lengthy personal slideshow of House Kotilo from the Assuntomessut (Housing Fair) in Espoo, Finland. Go see. [...]
[...] is today and the only building I know about and that I’m surprised is not in is the Kotilo or Seashell house by house by Olavi Koponen. Private houses and public competition lead schemes [...]