This weekend at the DECC is a celebration of all things Finnish, which includes a focus on architecture and sustainability. Ahti Westphal is a professor of architecture and urban design at the University of Minnesota and is also the coordinator for this year's Architecture and Sustainability Series at FinnFest, happening July 31st through August 3rd in Duluth.
"We can't really separate design from ecology anymore," says Westphal. Current climate issues have been instigative in highlighting sustainability, but traditional ecological knowledge has balanced resources with methodology for a long time. Events at this year's FinnFest will look at "ancient building techniques and how they might be utilized in a much more contemporary, cutting-edge sense for building things like carbon-neutral buildings."
Finland and Minnesota share similar landscapes and resources. With lumber in abundance in both locations, there will be a big focus on the use of wood. "It's just extremely exciting to look at how wood has been used historically," says Westphal, who recognizes the challenges that have arisen in a post-industrial age. "It's almost like looking back and forward at the same time, quite rapidly and continuously, to find new solutions."
More information about Ahti Westphal's work can be found online. For the details about the Architecture and Sustainability Series - and other FinnFest info - visit the FinnFest website.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
