Finland (Aalto Pavilion)

The exhibition traces the story of the Pavilion of Finland, designed by architect Alvar Aalto and his office, from its construction in 1956, through three major restorations and decades of continuous maintenance, to today. It delves into the labour required to ensure the longevity of architecture and positions the people involved in this work as co-creators alongside the original architect. Through immersive multi-channel video projections and sound art, the exhibition brings to life the memories embedded within the pavilion’s walls. Through these stories, it invites visitors to see the space from new perspectives and uncovers aspects that are typically hidden. Preserving built heritage depends on stewardship—a shared duty between architects and non-architects, requiring the negotiation of land, resources, and the built environment, and considering the needs of humans and non-humans alike. The Pavilion – Architecture of Stewardship aspires to make the invisible visible.