New Architects: Finland_UK International Exchange Programme: Participants Announced

The Architecture Foundation, along with partners the Finnish Institute in London and The Museum of Finnish Architecture announce a new exchange programme for talented emerging architects between the UK and Finland scheduled to take place in early 2012.

Identified through an expert nomination process, the practices chosen to take part in the exchange programme from the UK are: Archipelago, Pie Architecture and Studio Polpo. The Finnish participants are ALA Architects, Anttinen Oiva Architects and Avanto Architects.

The exchange follows on from successful Architecture Foundation New Architects programmes in Italy, Turkey, Norway, Poland, and Portugal. The aim of these exchange programmes is to identify, exchange and promote the best new architects and practitioners from both countries through developing networks, dialogue and cultural exchange that allow for the sharing of new ideas and new practices.

The participating practices will act as ambassadors for the architectural scenes in their respective countries, taking part in reciprocal programmes to each country with a schedule of coordinated activities including public lectures, workshops, studio and site visits, along with other networking opportunities.

"We at The Architecture Foundation are delighted at the prospect of this new partnership, through which we will continue our mission of connecting creative talents with fresh ideas and new opportunities around the world" Sarah Ichioka, Director from The Architecture Foundation says.

The Finland_UK exchange will focus on the theme Cities and Water exploring case studies in both London and Helsinki. The Finnish architects will visit London in January 2012 and the British architects will visit Finland in February 2012, for a programme of events organised by The Architecture Foundation and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, respectively.

"All selected Finnish offices are producing outstanding new work. It is our great pleasure to introduce them to the British public and facilitate collaboration and ideas exchange between them and the participating British practices over such a topical theme for both cities" Hanna Harris, Programme Director for Arts & Culture at The Finnish Institute in London says.