NOAN was awarded the Pietilä Prize for young architects
The award, presented every three years by the Building Information Foundation RTS, was given to the architectural practice NOAN in recognition of its high-quality, sustainable and people-centred architecture.
Founded in Tampere in 2017, architecture studio NOAN works at every scale, from the details of interior restorations to entire districts. The office is guided by context-sensitive renovation design and infill construction, forward-looking urban design, and sustainable architecture, in which an individual building is seen as part of a larger whole.
At the award ceremony, held during Tampere Architecture and Design Week, NOAN was praised for their work that is driven by the belief that architecture has an important role in mitigating climate change and building a sustainable future. Life-cycle thinking shows in resource-efficient and adaptable solutions that can also accommodate changing needs in the future.
In addition to their numerous competition wins and awarded entries, NOAN has completed a significant number of projects and has influenced, among other things, the development of new areas in Tampere. The office’s work is characterised by quality, the broad expertise of the architect-designer, and a strong command of the whole field. In this way, NOAN strengthens the architect’s role as an important societal actor and an influential figure in the construction sector.
NOAN has shown that even a small architectural office can influence the quality of the built environment in an investor-driven operating environment, where projects are increasingly concentrated in ever larger firms. NOAN independently seeks new ways of working and puts the values of social sustainability into practice. In their work, accessibility is always a starting point: it arises from clear spaces, continuous routes and an urban environment open to everyone. At the same time, the work reconciles different needs while respecting historical values.
Prize for young architects and architect teams
The Pietilä Prize is awarded every three years to a young architect or architect team in recognition of significant work in renewing architecture. The prize sum of 10,000 euros is granted by the Board of the Finnish Building Information Foundation RTS.
The prize was presented at Tampere Architecture and Design Week's closing seminar by Sini Saarimaa, Director of Research at the Finnish Building Information Foundation RTS. Accepting the prize were the founding partners of NOAN Architects, Janne Ekman, Teemu Paasiaho, Ville Reima and Lassi Viitanen, along with Jaakko Heikkilä, Caspar Åkerblom, Jani Jukonen, Olivia Myntti and Laura Rahkonen.
“The Pietilä Prize means a great deal to us, as it cannot be applied for or requested, which raises its value even further. We accept this distinction as recognition of our efforts to change established building practices through our own example. The prize encourages us to continue our long-term work for a more sustainable and more human-centred built environment,” said Lassi Viitanen at the award ceremony.
The 2026 prize jury consisted of architect and Associate Professor Henrika Pihlajaniemi, board member of the Finnish Building Information Foundation RTS, and Chief Architect Niina Kilpelä and architect Inari Virkkala, members of the foundation’s body of representatives. The jury based its decision on the theme “Sustainable, human-centred architecture and environment”.
The Pietilä Prize was established in 1989 and was first awarded in 1991. All laureates are listed on the Finnish Building Information Foundation RTS website from this link (in Finnish).
Find out more about NOAN Architects via this link.
cover photo: The founders of NOAN – architects Teemu Paasiaho (left), Janne Ekman, Ville Reima and Lassi Viitanen – along with their architectural team.
