Viikki has played a pioneering role in Finnish environmentally conscious construction. The point of departure in planning was to preserve nature and cultural values. Ecological construction, closeness to nature and good local services and recreation possibilities have made Viikki a pleasant and popular area.
The Viikki's Environment exhibition draws attention to community planning, eco-construction and related expertise. It also provides information on other eco-efficient projects such as the Finnish Environment Institute's future office building and Finnforest's new prefabricated wooden apartment blocks.
The exhibition presents eco-efficient solutions in urban development and housing construction that can help mitigate climate change and reduce carbon footprints. An example of bioclimatic architecture or architecture that takes into account environmental conditions is the Viikki Environment Building, whose energy conservation solutions, solar energy technology and building and decorating materials visitors can learn more about at the exhibition. The Viikki Environment Building is the most energy-efficient office building in Finland.
One theme of the exhibition is nature in Helsinki and Viikki. Viikki's landscape includes a variety of biotopes on which human activity has left its mark over a long period. Fields have in fact been cultivated in Viikki since the Middle Ages. Viikki forms the heart of Helsinki's greenbelt network, with connections to the forests of northern Helsinki, the clay plains through which the River Vantaa flows and the coast and archipelago to the south.
Information for everyone who is interested in the Viikki area as well as experts
The exhibition is intended for the general public as well as experts. Part of its broad content is aimed at professionals in different fields who are interested in construction and its environmental impacts. Partitions containing text and photo materials are supplemented by interactive elements such as a carbon dioxide calculator for low-rise housing, eco tips and a virtual arboretum.
The exhibition will be open in the lobby of the Viikki Environment Building beginning on 16 February 2012. The exhibition languages are Finnish, Swedish and English. Address: Viikinkaari 2a, 00790 Helsinki. Open Monday-Friday from 8.15 am to 4 pm. Free admission.
The exhibition is part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme, but it will remain in place after the year has ended.
In connection with the exhibition guided tours of the Viikki Environment Building will also be arranged for the public on 16-17 February 2012 at 12 noon. The tour will start in the lobby of the Environment Building.
The exhibition has been produced by architect Kimmo Kuismanen together with the City of Helsinki Environment Centre, the City Planning Department and the Economic and Planning Centre. Digital and interactive materials were produced by a workshop at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi. Exhibition furnishings were produced at the Lapland Vocational College and the Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences.
