In the occasion of the 15th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the Nordic Pavilion will present “In Therapy” exhibition. According to Alejandro Aravena’s overall theme of the 2016 Venice Biennale “Reporting From the Front”, the installation will focus on specific challenges being faced in the Nordic region. The Nordic nations—Finland, Norway and Sweden—have reached a pivotal point in their collective, and individual, architectural identities. The “grandfathers” of the universal Nordic style provided a foundation upon which architects and designers since have both thrived on and been confined by. The Nordic Pavilion will provide an opportunity to probe: to discuss, argue, debate and challenge what Nordic architecture really is and, perhaps more importantly, what it could be in years to come.
According to Basulto, curator of the show: “Although it might superficially appear that Finland, Norway and Sweden are at ‘the pinnacle of the pyramid’ they each, nonetheless, face difficult and distinct challenges. The exhibition will uncover the fascinating disjunction between the typical world view of the Nordic countries as highly developed, socially progressive nations, and seek to reveal the enormous challenges which they face, with architecture—as a spatial, social, and cultural practice—at its epicentre.”
Nine of the 300 selected projects—three within each category—have been chosen to be examined in-depth.
For Foundational category will be presented Puukuokka Housing Block /OOPEAA Office by Peripheral Architecture (Jyväskylä, Finland); Halden Prison / HLM Arkitektur + Erik Møller Architects(Halden, Norway); Råå Daycare Center / Dorte Mandrup (Kustgaten, Sweden)
For Belonging category: Seinäjoki City Library / JKMM Architects (Seinäjoki, Finland); Kilden /ALA Architects in collaboration with SMS Arkitekter.(Kristiansand, Norway); The New Crematorium / Johan Celsing Architects (Stockholm, Sweden).
For Recognition Category: Finnish Nature Centre /Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects (Haltia, Finland); National Tourist Route Trollstigen / Reiulf Ramstad Architects (Trollstigen, Norway); Tree Hotel / Tham & Videgård (Harads, Sweden).
