12th International Alvar Aalto Symposium: ‘Crafted’

Chapel of St. Lawrence. Anu PUUSTINEN & Ville HARA, Avanto Achitect / © Tuomas Uusheimo

The 12th International Alvar Aalto Symposium will be held in Jyväskylä Finland from August 10-12, 2012. With the theme of ‘Crafted’ – The Ingredients of Architecture’, the question arises: How does architecture rise above the ordinary? Organised by the Alvar Aalto Academy, the international Alvar Aalto Symposium aims to address the complex relationship between material, craft and culture, not simply as a matter of professional practice but also as a sociological and pedagogical imperative. More information on the event after the break.

Jesuit Community Center. Alan ORGANSCHI, Gray Organschi Architecture / © Robert Benson

The event will feature 14 top practitioners and thinkers from Finland and abroad, including Richard Sennett, the American-British sociologist and author, and Kjetil T. Thorsen, a founding partner of Snøhetta (designers of the famed Oslo Opera House and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, among others).

Oslo Opera House. Kjetil T. THORSEN / © Jens Passoth

Today the art of construction has been nearly overtaken by the concept of building as an industrial process. Traditional materials and methods are usually thought to be all but lost. But have we really replaced our knowledge of craft with new strategies of design? Don’t computer-driven fabrication and technologies for assembly also provide a means for reconsidering architecture as a material practice?

Olga House. Marcos ACAYABA, Marcos Acayaba Arquitetos / © Nelson Kon

The purpose of the Alvar Aalto Symposium is to act as a forum to highlight some of the best examples of our built environment and to promote discussion and argument. The symposium is part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 program. For the entire symposium program and more detailed information, please visit here.