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Young Finnish architects Ella Kaira and Matti Jänkälä's exhibition concept aims to redefine our relationship with the built environment by highlighting the tacit knowledge related to the maintenance and care of a building. The Aalto University alums are particularly interested in modern architectural heritage and its preservation. 

Their exhibition idea was selected from five shortlisted entries in an open call for curators, which produced a total of 45 proposals world-wide.

Vokal, an architecture practice founded last year by Kaira and Jänkälä, specialises in community-based design. The architects are also members of the You Tell Me collective of architecture students and young architects, which aims to promote a paradigm change in the field of construction and share information and solutions to create a more sustainable built environment.

‘Our joint practice, Vokal, examines the forces that drive urban development, ranging from the real estate market to social movements, by employing methods of storytelling, art, and research. I am particularly interested in the role of local knowledge in preserving modern built heritage’, says Ella Kaira.

The Biennale platform in Venice is not alien to the duo, but working on such a large-scale exhibition production is a new challenge.

‘This is a big step for us, and we are delighted to have been chosen as curators. However, an exhibition – like architecture – is not done alone, and we look forward to working together with professionals from different disciplines and the Archinfo team. Ella and I are particularly interested in these issues of collective authorship’, says Matti Jänkälä.

La Biennale di Venezia has appointed the Italian architect, urban planner, engineer and researcher Carlo Ratti as Curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition. The overarching theme of the Biennale is expected to be announced in the summer of 2024. The Biennale Architettura will open to the public on 24 May 2025 and remain open until 23 November.

Archinfo, the Information Centre for Finnish Architecture, has been appointed by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture as Commissioner for the Finnish Pavilion’s exhibitions at the Biennale Architettura. The Ministry is the main sponsor of the exhibition.