Articles
A pavilion with a competitive advantage for Finland at the EXPO 2010 Shanghai
Article in the Finnbiz magazine
An important milestone in the Finnish EXPO 2010 project has been reached. The architectural design of the Finnish pavilion has been decided. “Kirnu”, designed by JKMM Architects, was chosen as the winning entry among 104 proposals taking part in an architectural competition in Finland. The results have already been announced in Finland and will be made public in China (Shanghai) on November 5.
JKMM Architects is an esteemed architect’s office based in Helsinki. It has won several architectural competitions in Finland, the one organized for the Turku Central Library project taken as an example. In the EXPO 2010 competition their contribution was quite remarkable. In addition to the first prize, Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä and the team behind JKMM also won the third prize of the competition with their proposal “Riihi”.
Both the architects and the Finnish EXPO team believe that the distinctive design of “Kirnu” gives Finland a competitive advantage at the Shanghai EXPO. The “Kirnu” concept clearly reflects Finnish know-how, high quality and functionality. Its entrance will attract the visitors to enter the pavilion while the inner structure of the building winding around the forum in the center will make a strong argument for keeping them in. The pavilion will include well-functioning VIP area with Finnish characteristics.
The pavilion decision set in motion several processes
The decision concerning the architectural design of the pavilion set in motion several processes. Among the most important is the detailed technical planning of pavilion. Since the aim is to start the construction of the building during the first quarter of 2009, the preparation work has to be made in a relatively short span of time. The construction manager of the Finnish EXPO team, Jouni Lehtonen is now busy working with the architects and potential suppliers for the project.
The partnership program of the project has progressed further. Companies in Finland were approached by a letter in September and details concerning the different types of the program have been published on the website of the project. Buildercom, an expert company of real estate maintenance and construction information management, was released as the first partner of the project in the beginning of October.
The planning of the exhibition has also sprung into action. The exhibition forms a crucial part of the pavilion and the Finnish participation concept as a whole. Petri Ryöppy, the Exhibition Manager of the Finnish EXPO team has launched the needed processes that seek to find the best possible forces to create innovative ideas and solutions for the exhibition.
Taking “Better Life” as the starting point and “Sharing Inspiration”
The thematic concept of the Finnish participation to the EXPO 2010 has been decided. It takes “Better Life” – one of the two components of the Shanghai Expo theme “Better City, Better Life” – as the starting point and suggests that solutions for urban best practices start from there. The concept is built around three elements: well-being (hyvinvointi), competence (osaaminen) and the environment (ympäristö). The three elements highlight the base of our society, as well as the driving force of our nation and a key competence area of our country.
The slogan of the Finnish EXPO participation is called “Sharing Inspiration”. “Sharing” refers to the way the Finns work, that is, by trying to find solutions to challenges in partnership and in open interaction with the counterparts. “Inspiration” sheds light on the factor which enables the Finns to be progressive and innovative regardless of their comparatively tight resources.
The communications program of the project, including a coordinated visual image is also under work. Mikko Puustinen, the Communications Director of the team notes that the focus of the project now moves to China. Since the most important target group is the Chinese, the communications activities concerning the Finnish EXPO participation will increasingly be directed towards them.
More detailed information about the Finnish theme concept and the project as a whole can be found from the internet: www.finlandatexpo2010.fi