Finnish Pavilion Venice Biennale

The Finnish pavilion at the Venice Giardini exhibition was designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto between 1955-56 as a temporary pavilion that could be disassembled and stored when no events were taking place at the exhibition. However, due to numerous injuries associated with working with prefabricated wooden walls and roofing units, this idea did not materialize, and what was supposed to be a temporary pavilion became permanent at the cost of high maintenance expenses for keeping the materials in condition, since the entire structure is made of prefabricated wooden parts. This pavilion was brought from Finland in a disassembled form, and after being transported to Venice, it was reassembled without the author's presence. Aalto was a great proponent of wood, which had been used in Finland for centuries. The execution of this object is also very innovative not only because of the unconventional trapezoidal shape of the floor plan with a sloping ceiling and emphasis on detail and work with the material itself but also due to the great use of natural light in creating a specific space, or the principles of modularity as a means to streamline the construction process. Even the maintained open doors on both sides create a kind of space and dialogue between the three areas. The pavilion is a tangible testament defining modern architecture as a framework for modern life in Finland.