Safa calls for cherishing the architecture of academician Juha Leiviskä
According to the statement by the Finnish Association of Architects, the value of Juha Leiviskä’s distinctive architecture has not been sufficiently understood in Finland. This is evident, for example, in the fact that one of his buildings is currently under threat of demolition. Safa believes that the entire body of work by this internationally acclaimed architect should be inventoried and preserved.
Juha Leiviskä (1936–2023) is among the most internationally renowned Finnish architects. Holding the honorary title of Academician, Leiviskä, who passed away two years ago at the age of 87, is unquestionably one of the leading figures in Finnish modern architecture.
According to Asko Takala, Chair of the Finnish Association of Architects (Safa), Leiviskä’s body of work needs to be preserved and protected before it’s too late, especially now that many modern buildings are increasingly at risk of demolition.
“Juha Leiviskä’s architecture must be seen as part of our national cultural heritage. His entire body of work should be thoroughly inventoried,” says Takala.
Leiviskä designed residential buildings, public structures, and especially churches and parish halls – altogether 32 projects. His best-known works include churches in Oulu, Kuopio, and Vantaa. These sacred buildings are considered total works of art, characterized by the refined use of natural light as a central architectural element. Leiviskä was also known for his lighting design.
So far, none of the buildings designed by Juha Leiviskä have been listed, although the Finnish Heritage Agency has proposed protection for the Puolivälinkangas Church in Oulu.
The recently completed renovation of the Myyrmäki Church is a welcome example of restoration work that respects and preserves Leiviskä’s architecture. In contrast, the Kirkkonummi Parish Centre is under threat of demolition – a sad example of the wider wave of demolitions currently endangering churches.
Read Archinfo’s article on the wave of demolitions affecting sacred buildings at this link.
Leiviskä is the only Finnish architect to have received the internationally prestigious Carlsberg Prize, awarded in 1995. He was named an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1994 and received several international awards, including Sweden’s Prince Eugen Medal in 1994 and The Daylight Award in 2020. In 1992, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal, and in 1997, the President of Finland granted him the honorary title of Academician of Art.
At the end of August, the Finnish Association of Architects, in collaboration with Rakennustietosäätiö and the Alvar Aalto Gesellschaft in Germany, will organize a symposium aimed at sparking discussion about Leiviskä’s architectural legacy. The event also seeks to collect and share information about the use, condition, and restoration of buildings designed by Leiviskä.
In 2019, Archinfo produced a video interview with Juha Leiviskä titled Juha Leiviskä – Virtuoso of Light.
