Architect
Tuomo Siitonen
1946 -
Tuomo Siitonen (born 1946) is one of the most successful modern Finnish architects. His achievements include over 50 award-winning entries to Finnish and foreign architectural competitions, the Chair of Architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology during 1993-1996 as well as a wide range of positions of trust.
Among the early landmarks in his career are the Metal Workers Murikka Institute, the UKK Institute in Tampere and experimental houses in Torpparinmäki, Helsinki. More recent works include several major public buildings: the Helsinki Court House in Salmisaari, renovation of the Finnish embassy in Moscow, and the Joensuu and Porvoo city libraries. Siitonen's office architecture can be admired especially in the Ruoholahti district: the head office of the Varma Employment Pension Insurance Company was erected in Salmisaari and Nokia's research centre in Ruoholahti. A sign of diversity is that he has also designed private villas, interiors, furniture and lighting fixtures.
Helsinki Court House. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Varma Employment Pension Insurance Company. Photo: Veikko Niemelä.
Studio Widnäs. Photo: Rauno Träskelin.
Leppäsuo Triangle Housing competition.
Tuomo Siitonen has over twenty first prizes in architectural competitions under his belt. As Professor in Residential Architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology he has kept in touch with the views of the new generation of architects.
Recently, Siitonen was awarded the State Art Prize for Architecture. The Architecture Commission of the Arts Council explained the choice of the winner as follows: "Tuomo Siitonen's architecture is characterized by a solid and clear allocation of masses supported by the selection of simple materials. The complex buildings are functionally logical and rational and sited in the surroundings with a sure sense of spiritus loci. Careful design down to the smallest details and interiors exude both intellect and emotion."
