After the introduction of Bert de Muynck from Moving Cities (see below), Snowball Helsinki – Arkkitehtuurivientiä Kiinaan event featured talks from Finnish architects and decision-makers. Exploring the present and the future collaborations in architecture between Finland and China, these professionals shared their personal experiences and new insights.

JKMM Architects on making Kirnu, the Finnish pavilion at Shanghai Expo

- Why China?

The key question for architects wanting to operate in China is: why do you want to practice architecture just there? We wished to go to China because the preconditions to do good architecture are there: the clients, projects, funds and cost-effective operating conditions.

- Architecture as a story

In order to succeed abroad Finnish architects must have a unique point of view and a concise message. A strong concept links architecture to different things – to things outside architecture that people are interested in. In order to present Kirnu to the Chinese, we created a story about Finland, the ice age and its effect on the landscape as well as how, here, you can hire an island for the summer and take your laptop with you. We talked about nature and the Finnish mythology as a source of inspiration. In the end, we do live in a special place.

- China vs. Finland

How is China better than Finland from an architect’s point of view? The contractors are nowadays better in China than in Finland and the constructors still take professional pride in their work. In China, it is possible to carry out designs that require hand made elements. And if something goes wrong, it is also possible to correct the mistakes whereas in Finland this might be too expensive.

- What are we?

Finland should see itself as a small and friendly partner. We are not going to conquer the world but instead we should operate as experts within international teams. It is also important to build true collaboration through, for example, inviting more Chinese people to live in Finland and to change us!

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Yrjö Sotamaa, Aalto University and Tongji University: Challenges and opportunities in China

Challenges:

- Everything is big and…

… the projects are very speedy (the work takes place 24/7).

… the combination of communism and market economy creates a decision-making system that is complex and untransparent.

… networking is of primary importance.

… the management of time is extremely flexible – people are not able to make decisions that much in advance as they must always be available for their supervisors.

… quick financial gain is the main driver. In many ways this is a benefit: people are hard-working and pragmatic. On the other hand, this often conflicts with Finnish design approach which bases on thoroughly considered concepts and solutions.

… it is sometimes challenging to find good professionals even though in China there are many of them.

Opportunities:

- The markets for building and design are gigantic – solutions for sustainable development  and quality are in demand and a new way of living is developing rapidly. Finland has potential to provide to this demand, although we do not have experience of building big metropolises.

- For concrete opportunities, Aalto University and Tongji University will co-found a Finnish-Chinese collaborative hub and platform in Shanghai in spring 2010. The idea is to support multi-disciplinary co-operation between the two countries and also bring in players from other countries.

- Cumulus will organise a Young Creators for Better City Better Life conference in Shanghai on September 7–10.

- There are a lot of opportunities, what we need is brisk entrepreneurship and abilities to take risk.

- The strengths of Finland lie in the knowledge related to environmental technology, digital skills, true innovations and concept design.

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PES: How to take architecture to China?

- Carry references, expertise and a lot of visit cards with you.

- Network with other Finnish professionals.

- Find a reliable, local partner who has a good hold of “quanxi”, public relations.

- Co-operate with a Chinese office tha assists with the material required for local competitions: models, renderings, books, panels and especially multimedia products and texts. In China, these will can be produced quickly and at a reasonable price.

- Be prepared for very tight schedules and sudden changes when it comes to almost everything.

- Remember that the Chinese expect unique design concepts with ecological attitude and metaphors from the ancient Chinese culture.

- In order to get the deals following competitions, the proposals must be revised, tough bargaining negotiations must be held and the trust of the client must be won.

- The most demanding public projects require a very good Chinese partner, ideally a design institute.

- Be prepared for unprofitable activities even in the long term. At best, the payment might be sent directly to Finland in euros but usually it will be delivered in RMB.

- The importance of personal relationships cannot be emphasised enough. You must go to China and invite the Chinese here. Trust is important.

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Pekka Timonen: World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 word by word

World = What does it mean that we will be the one and only World Design Capital 2012? How to grasp the opportunity? What we do must be meaningful in the context of the whole world – and the world is big.

Design = The concept of design covers the whole range of creative human activities that focus on physical environments as well as on services and products. Design exists everywhere. It should be part of each processes from the beginning to the end.

Capital = The assets that include people, knowledge, skills, things, potential

Helsinki = 5 cities – Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Lahti

2012 = Not the objective itself but the tip of the iceberg reflecting the whole process of embedding design in life in Helsinki. That process has already started!

What becomes of World Design Capital Helsinki is defined by actions. The role of the city of Helsinki is to communicate, contact, co-ordinate and contract – to create a platform for change and to pull people together. In 2013, Helsinki must be one of the best in utilising design for social, economical and cultural development.