Publication
Beauty, Functionality, Durability
Author(s): Juhana Lahti2011
978-951-37-5854-7
Two Centuries of State Building and Development in Finland 1811–2011.
Order from: Museum of Finnish Architecture Bookshop
In Finland, the state has been involved in an active and wide-ranging manner in building and development. It has significantly steered the evolution of the urban fabric and Finnish society. The beginning of state building activities can be dated to the 3rd of September 1811, when the Emperor of Russia, who was also the Grand Duke of Finland, established the Intendant's Office, with a decree on "supervising architecture that is both useful and embellishing for all nations." The Intendant's Office has been succeeded by the Board of Public Buildings, the National Board of Public Buildings, the State Real Property Agency and present-day Senate Properties. Over these two centuries, the tasks have changed along with developments in society. Work concentrating on building has shifted to provid¬ing a wide range of services for the facilities of government offices and agencies. Build¬ing, development and the upkeep of existing building stock are still a central aspect of the work of Senate Properties.
The book is written by Head of Research, PhD Juhana Lahti and published by Senate Properties. Selected works from the Senate Building (1828) by architect C. L. Engel to the Helsinki Music Center opening in 2011 represent beauty, functionality and durability - the aim of state building activities in Finland.
