Reima Pietilä was a renowned Finnish architect known for embracing organic and sculptural designs that were integrated with nature. Some of his notable works include the Kaleva Church in Tampere, featuring a dramatic sculpted roof and emphasis on natural light. He also designed the Dipoli building at Aalto University, with an undulating roof resembling rolling hills. Later in his career, Pietilä designed the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, combining modernist principles with influences from traditional Indian architecture through its sandstone exterior and symbolic design elements. Pietilä had a profound influence on architecture in Finland and beyond through his innovative and environmentally conscious designs.
Reima Pietilä was a renowned Finnish architect known for embracing organic and sculptural designs that were integrated with nature. Some of his notable works include the Kaleva Church in Tampere, featuring a dramatic sculpted roof and emphasis on natural light. He also designed the Dipoli building at Aalto University, with an undulating roof resembling rolling hills. Later in his career, Pietilä designed the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, combining modernist principles with influences from traditional Indian architecture through its sandstone exterior and symbolic design elements. Pietilä had a profound influence on architecture in Finland and beyond through his innovative and environmentally conscious designs.
Reima Pietilä was a renowned Finnish architect known for embracing organic and sculptural designs that were integrated with nature. Some of his notable works include the Kaleva Church in Tampere, featuring a dramatic sculpted roof and emphasis on natural light. He also designed the Dipoli building at Aalto University, with an undulating roof resembling rolling hills. Later in his career, Pietilä designed the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, combining modernist principles with influences from traditional Indian architecture through its sandstone exterior and symbolic design elements. Pietilä had a profound influence on architecture in Finland and beyond through his innovative and environmentally conscious designs.
:CHIBALE.C.KAFULUBITI Reima Pietilä was a renowned Finnish INTRODUCTION architect, urban planner, and educator. He was born in 1923, Finland. He graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1949 and soon after he established his own architectural practice, Reima Pietilä Architects, with his wife Raili Pietilä, who was also an architect. The couple had a profound influence on Finnish architecture, inspiring a generation of architects to embrace organic design principles, embrace regional identity, and consider the natural environment when designing designed various public and private buildings, including residential complexes, churches, and cultural institutions. PROFESSIONAL CAREER Reima Pietilä and his wife’s career can be divided into three phases which kicked off in the 1960s, which is marked with three major projects such as: Kaleva Church (1966) in Tampere, Dipoli building (1966) in Otaniemi,Espoo. Suvikumpu apartment block (1969) in Tapiola, Espoo. In 1973–79 he worked as a professor at the University of Oulu, And later worked on projects, such as: Hervanta central axis (1979, 1989) in Tampere. Sief Palace Area (1982) in Abu Dhabi. Lieksa Church (1982). In the 1980s, the duo returned to organic forms typical of their early works while using more sophisticated materials and details. The major projects of this phase were: Finnish Embassy in New Delhi (1985). Tampere Main Library (1986). Mäntyniemi, the official residence of the President of Finland (1993) in Helsinki. NOTABLE WORKS THE KALEVA CHURCH
The Kaleva Church, located in Tampere, Finland, Completed
in 1966.
The building sits on a small hillock at the head of the
convergence of two large roads lined with postwar apartment blocks.
The plan consists of a series of high and narrow concrete
wings made from 17m high hollow concrete u wing shapes, with full height windows in-between. Each of these concrete u's is slightly different. The external concrete walls were originally meant to be bare but pale sand coloured tiles were added later to blend more in with the surrounding buildings Key features of the Kaleva Sculptural Roof: The most striking Church: feature of the Kaleva Church is its massive sculptural roof, which resembles the wings of a bird in flight.
Integration with Nature: The church's
design emphasizes a seamless connection with nature.
Interior Spaces and natural lighting:
The interior features warm wooden elements, creating a sense of serenity and inviting contemplation, and the design carefully considers the play of natural light, and the acoustics THE DIPOLI STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Located in Espoo, Finland.
Dipoli serves as the main
building of the Aalto University School of Business.
hosts various events and
functions since its completion in 1966 OrganicSculptural Design and Integration Key features of the Dipoli with Nature: The roof has undulating curves, resembling waves or rolling hills, while the walls Student Union Building: feature irregular shapes that blend with the surrounding landscape. Dipoli is seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings. Functionality and Flexibility: Focus on functionality and adaptability. It was initially constructed to serve as the student union building accommodating various activities and events. Materials: The building uses extensively materials from Finnish nature, such as pine wood, copper, and natural rocks, it also incorporates materials such as brick and concrete as well. Dipolihas 500 windows of which only four are identical. As it can be seen in the images, the building was planned for as little interference with the natural granite of the site as possible; but blasting the hard granite base rock inevitably fragmented it. Interior Spaces: Characterized by open and flexible spaces, providing versatile areas for gatherings, meetings, and events. The design allows for natural light to filter into the building, creating a pleasant and inviting ambiance. FINNISH EMBASSY IN NEW DELHI (INDIA) The Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, India, which bears the name “Snow speaks on the mountains”, is a masterpiece of Finnish architecture that reflects both Finland and India. Completed in 1987, the embassy building showcases their innovative approach to architectural design, combining modernist principles with inspiration drawn from traditional Indian architecture The focal point of the Embassy’s architecture is the shape of the roofs, which are reminiscent of the sculptures nature carves into ice during the freezing winters among the most ambitious efforts to create an architectural symbol for Finland. In Reima Pietilä’s opinion, the Chanakyapuri diplomatic district where the embassy is located was visually too incoherent to provide references for design. Therefore, he designed the building as a ‘landscape sculpture. Organic and Sculptural Forms: True to the Pietiläs' style, the embassy features organic and sculptural Key features of the Finnish forms that resemble the shapes found in nature. The Embassy in New Delhi: design is characterized by flowing lines, curves, and expressive angles, creating an artistic and dynamic appearance. Material Choice: The exterior of the embassy is clad in red sandstone, a traditional material widely used in Indian architecture. This choice not only connects the building to its Indian context but also gives it a distinct visual identity. Sustainable Design: The embassy incorporates a central courtyard, which is a typical feature of traditional Indian architecture which provide natural ventilation/cooling and daylight to the interior spaces and promoting passive cooling and natural lighting. Symbolism and cultural integration: The design includes symbolic references, connecting the embassy to Finnish cultural heritage. The Finnish flag's blue-and-white colors were considered into design elements while incorporates functional and efficient spaces for diplomatic activities THE LEIKSA CHURCH The Lieksa Church, stands as a unique example of combining Classicist themes with modernist elements. The new Lieksa Church follows the cruciform plan of its predecessor but incorporates additional spaces, resulting in a slightly asymmetrical layout. The modern structure features a massive stone base, white-painted timber cladding, and a dome reminiscent of the previous design. The dome is constructed using prestressed arches and thin cylindrical shells. Natural light floods the interior through skylights positioned between the double arches.
The altar area is graced by a large window that
offers a view towards the surviving bell tower from the previous church.
In a nod to the region's cultural heritage, the
Pietiläs incorporated traditional embroidery patterns into the church's intricate details, adding a touch of local significance to the design.
In summary, the Lieksa Church represents a
harmonious blend of classic and modern architectural elements, paying tribute to its historical context while embracing innovation and the Pietiläs' distinct design philosophy. SUVIKUMPU COMPLEX Suvikumpu is a residential neighbourhood located in Tapiola. In the competition and the completed project, the concept was an eel shape and its incorporation into the design is very evident upon inspection. The first three buildings form a stepping eel shape (which was its concept) on the north west corner of the site, making it look continuous but its actually three buildings which step in height from 9 floors to 3 from east to south. The exterior of the building is painted in different shades of green to match the spruce, pine and birch green of the surrounding forest. Suvikumpu stands out as an archetypal project in his ideas about modernism. The need to blend the natural landscape and the building and the manipulation of materials, construction and form. Mantynieme Mantynieme is the official residence of the Republic of Finland. It is the first custom- built residence for the president of the republic of Finland. The house and its setting are a harmonious area as Reima worked hand in hand with landscape architect Maj-Lis Rosenbrojer to project the natural vegetation on the site. The two wanted to make the environment seem as Finnish as possible which features a variety of trees, including birch, pine, rowan, and oak, blending harmoniously with the coastal landscape. The elevations are made of Finnish granite, glass, and copper sheeting, with some of the inside walls also using granite.
The interior design was made to blend
with its exterior, including a range of art, furnishings, textiles, and tableware designed specifically for the house.
It was the last work by the Pietila
husband and wife team, however, it is an impressive work of art featured in the history of Finnish architecture and considered one of their greatest creations. CRITICISMS AGAINST PIETILA’S APPROACH TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND URBANISM