In these times we need understanding, patience and caring

We at Archinfo Finland take part in the collective efforts to slow down the spreading of COVID-19. By following the instructions of social distancing posed by the Government of Finland, we protect the most vulnerable members of our society and help the health services to remain operational.

All professionals in expert fields are requested to work remotely. Meetings of more than ten people are forbidden. Accordingly, Archinfo Finland has moved into a remote work mode, working from home offices. This unprecedented situation requires much effort from everyone and every organisation: we need to quickly develop and adopt new working and communication methods.

At Archinfo, we have decided to hold staff video conferences and common coffee breaks every day. Since much of our work is teamwork, we hang out at each other’s dining tables and home offices for good portions of the day. If you in your working community have developed some innovative methods that could also help others, we urge you to share them, for instance, by sending us a mail. We may be reached, as always, through the email addresses and phone numbers found here.

Together with The Association of Finnish Architects’ Offices (ATL), we have compiled information and instructions that are useful to architecture firms. The constantly updated information (in Finnish) may be found here.

Communication about Finnish architecture continues as ever

Quieting down in remote mode enables concentrating on long-term development projects and planning the future. However, we also continue posting news and information about Finnish architecture on our website as well as on our social media accounts on Facebook (Archinfo Finland) and Twitter (@ArchinfoFinland). Newsletters will be sent on an approximately monthly basis.

In times of restrictions on travelling, we suggest you take a virtual trip to Finnish architecture via Finnish Architecture Navigator. Every day we produce new content in the web service – check out the latest additions at navi.finnisharchitecture.fi. On our Instagram account (@archinfo_finland), we share editorial selections of topical architects and their works – follow us and stay tuned!

The exceptional circumstances may generate sustainable solutions

For the time being, we organise all our meetings via video conferences, and the less urgent meetings we put on hold. Globally, a positive side of this dreadful situation is that now, as we all are forced to learn a new meeting culture via video conferences, these methods may be permanently adopted into our standards and hence reduce unnecessary travelling. However, let’s not forget about the importance of face-to-face contacts – once they are again possible.

All events planned to be organised this spring by Archinfo Finland or our partners are cancelled or postponed. The Museum of Finnish Architecture and the museum sites of the Alvar Aalto Foundation are closed until 13 April. The Open House Helsinki event is postponed from May to autumn. The opening of the Biennale Architettura 2020 in Venice is postponed to August – the preview days are on 27–28 August and the exhibition is open to the public from 29 August to 29 November (for more information, visit the Biennale website here).

Currently, Archinfo Finland’s operations continue in the lead of Head of Communications Miina Jutila, who has been appointed Acting Director until the recruitment process for a new director is concluded. Due to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Archinfo Finland has put the process on hold. Once the situation is back to normal, the process will be brought to an end in a timely manner.

In these exceptional circumstances, we need to pay extra attention to taking our fellow human beings into account. An understanding of the common good is now more essential than ever. We wish everyone patience, strength and good health.