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K2S architects


Biography

Finnish design studio K2S was founded in 2001 by partners Kimmo Lintula, Niko Sirola and Mikko Summanen, currently lecturers at Aalto University, Helsinki.
The practice’s areas of work range from town planning and design of new buildings and refurbishments, in addition to installations, exhibition projects, graphics and interior design. The design studio has won many prestigious competitions in their home country.
Their philosophy focuses on defining space for human well-being and respect for the landscape.

An integral part of the practice’s vision is the concept of roots, summed up in architecture by 4 meanings and contexts.
The first root is provided by the quality of the space, materials and structure. The second specifically relates to the construction site, since buildings always interact with their surroundings, and are linked to everything that has been before and will come after.
The third aspect has its roots in Finnish building traditions. A special "sensitivity to materials and light, as well as a certain modest approach (…) qualities that can also exist in contemporary architecture".
The fourth root reaches towards the future and relates to their attempt to “create innovation”, the result of a new way of using materials, as well as a creative combination of form and structure.

Combined, these four diverse roots embody K2S’ design approach and also the mutual attitude of the architects “not only towards architecture but life in general.".
K2S has gained recognition in the contemporary architecture sphere for two interesting projects in Helsinki which are representative of their designs, particularly the relationship between new construction and context.
Kamppi Chapel (2012) is a parenthesis of religion, silence and meditation in the Finnish capital’s historic city center, in which K2S conveys the legacy of the country’s traditional woodwork skills.

Most striking is "its shell-shaped exterior, in curved spruce wood", with no windows or openings, inside which "there is only the sacred hall and sacristy, since another structure is located behind the chapel. This second building, in the shape of a parallelepiped, is made of concrete covered in black stone, thereby enabling the sinuous lines of the chapel to emerge from the square. Inside, there are the service spaces of exposed concrete where you can see priests and social care" (V. Maini).
On entering, apart from the light, it appears "completely isolated from the outside world. With no artificial lighting, the sun’s rays stream downwards from a continuous window on the roof, not visible since it is shielded by the suspended ceiling. The light is multiplied and illuminates the curved walls made of oil-treated alder. Furnishings and furniture are pared back to the essentials." (M. Corradi)

Hotel Paasitorni (2012), also in Helsinki, is the result of an innovative, functional redevelopment of the previous structure, originally built for the town’s labor movement.
From 214 projects submitted from all over the world, the design studio was recently awarded the project to reconstruct the Church of Ylivieska destroyed by fire (2017).
The practice also participated at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2018 with their design for Maunula House community center and library. The project epitomizes today’s broader concept of a library combined with a community center which has become central to the local community.

K2S has won major awards (Finnish Glass Award 2018 and Finnish Steel Prize 2019) respectively for the Fazer visitor center in Vantaa (2016), and refurbishment and extension of the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki to be completed in summer 2020.
Awards won by the practice also include a special mention at the Architectural Review Emerging Architecture and Chicago Athenaeum Architecture International Award.
 
K2S selected works and projects
 
- Ristrutturazione ed estensione dello Stadio Olimpico, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2020
- Maunula Community Center, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2017
- Ristrutturazione della chiesa di Ylivieska (Finlandia), 2017
- Fazer Visitor Center, Vantaa (Finlandia), 2016
- Helsinki Multiurpose Arena & Sportshotel (progetto), Helsinki (Finlandia), 2014
- Asilo nido e community house (progetto), Matinkylä, Espoo (Finlandia), 2014
- Edifici ad uso misto (progetto), Vaasa (Finlandia), 2013
- Uffici dirigenziali Arctia Shipping, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2013
- Hotel Paasitorni, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2012
- Kamppi Chapel, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2012
- Stazione elettrica, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2009
- Villa Kallioniemi, Uusikaupunki (Finlandia), 2009
- Aviapolis Tower (progetto), Vantaa (Finlandia), 2008
- Villa Sarvilahti presso il lago Kivijärvi (Finlandia), 2008
- Scuola superiore, Sipoo (Finlandia), 2007
- Gyeonggi-do Jeongok Prehistory Museum (progetto), Gyeonggi-do (Corea del Sud), 2006
- Nuova copertura per lo Stadio Olimpico, Helsinki (Finlandia), 2005
 
Official website
 
www.k2s.fi

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