International seminar
Thursday 1 October 2026, 13:00–19:00
Maijansali Hall, Helsinki Central Library Oodi
Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Helsinki, Finland
What role will architectural design competitions play in a changing society in the decades ahead?
Organised by the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA), this international seminar marks 150 years of architectural design competitions in Finland. It brings together decision-makers, competition organisers and architects to explore the future of architectural competitions across Europe.
The event will be held in English.
Ordine del giorno
13:00 — Helsinki Central Library Oodi and its competition process
Presentation by Juho Grönholm, Founding Partner at ALA Architects, and Kari Lämsä, Head of Customer Experience and Partnerships at Helsinki Central Library Oodi.
14:00 — Welcome
Asko Takala, Architect and Chair of the Finnish Association of Architects
14:05 — New challenges and topics for architectural competitions in Europe
Carl Bäckstrand, Architect and Deputy CEO of White Arkitekter
14:30 — Architectural competition culture: lessons from different countries
Rainer Mahlamäki, Professor and Founding Partner of Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects
14:55 — How is a city built through competitions?
Competitions as a tool for addressing urban challenges
Anni Sinnemäki, Helsinki City Council
15:10 — Story of the office: the role of competitions
Juho Grönholm, Architect and Founding Partner of ALA Architects
15:25 — Panel discussion: Architectural design competitions in the Nordic and Baltic countries
How do competition systems operate in different countries? What challenges can architectural competitions help to address?
Panellists:
- Dorte Sibast, Danish Association of Architects
- Gisle Nataas, Norwegian Association of Architects
- Rūta Leitanaitė, Architects’ Chamber of Lithuania
- Ingrid Mald, Estonian Association of Architects
- Dace Kavane, Latvian Association of Architects
- Kirsti Rantanen, Finnish Association of Architects
17:00 — Closing, followed by cocktails and networking
The reception will continue until 19:00.
The seminar will be hosted and moderated by Pekka Pakkanen, Architect and Founder of Planetary Architecture.
