Lahdelma & Mahlamaki Architects

With the inauguration of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland, the architectural work of the contemporary Finnish partnership of Ilmari Lahdelma and Rainer Mahlamaki comes into worldwide focus. This monograph presents for the first time a survey of selected projects of the Lahdelma & Mahlamaki partnership, from their early work in the 1990s to the present day, introducing it to a larger international audience and placing it into the larger international context. Peter MacKeith's critical introduction and analyses of significant cultural and civic projects identify themes and intentions of the built work and projects, and places those projects within both the Finnish architectural context and that of the larger architectural culture. Besides the Warsaw Museum, designs for the Lusto--the Finnish Forest Museum, the Kaustinen Folk Music Center, the Lohja Municipal Library, and Wellamo--the Finnish Maritime Center are highlighted, among a range of 10 other significant projects. An interview with the architects explores their ideas concerning education, competition designs, museum design, and the future of Finnish architecture.