Some images of Archeus' design for the Future School -project at Pohjankartano school appear in a new publication by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation.

The publication, Käyttäjälähtöiset tilat - Uutta ajattelua suunnitteluun ("User oriented spaces - New thinking for space design"; link to PDF, only in Finnish), by the Tila-project presents current examples and trends of design of premises. The writers, designers and researchers, cover topics such as work places, learning environments, senior housing, and public spaces.

Challenges such as changing work habits and demands for more efficient use of resources and energy are discussed, and practical advice is provided for managing transformations in work environments.

Archeus is working on a group of family houses to Pikisaari. Pikisaari is a small island located only a short walk from the Oulu market square.

Pikisaari was a busy industrial region from the 17^th century until the mid 20^th century. Pikisaari was known for shipbuilding. Nowadays the island is a home to an artist community of dozens of artists and craftsmen. The city of Oulu supports the cultural activity in Pikisaari. It is also a home to a hands and crafts school.

Pikisaari consists of small scale wooden houses. The new building respects the old environment with a modern touch.

In 2010 the city of Oulu hosted an architecture competition to create more homes and workspaces to Pikisaari. A group of artists of different backgrounds was formed and together with Archeus they won the competition. The plot consists of three two family houses and common buildings. The design process is in progress and construction begins in spring 2012. 

Houses in Finland features two Archeus projects: White house and House 3 trees.

Houses in Finland presents 33 individually designed homes from the turn of the century to the end of the 2010s. The book gives an extensive look to the architecture of Finnish single family houses. Get your copy at the Rakennustieto online shop.

White house is a wooden house clad with painted timber battens. On three sides the battens are brought forward to create a sheltered terrace zone.

House 3 trees is Pave Mikkonen’s own house. House 3 trees is a study of a contemporary courtyard setting consisting of three separate yards protected from the wind.

See the featured projects and more single family houses by Archeus on the website.

Archeus is working on a new development in the town center of Levi.

AsOy Levin Stara comprises several street level shop or restaurant spaces and 13 apartments on the first floor and in the attic.

As well as the outer appearance of the building, the apartments have a modern, unique character. Still, they remain true to the town plan's alpine/lappish spirit. The claddings are mostly natural materials, such as slate, solid timber and clapboarding treated with a dark brown stain.

The apartments, all with a fireplace and a sauna, have interiors with a cozy ski-lodge atmosphere, also applying walls clad in stained wood. The floorings are of bleached oak parquet or high-grade clinker tiling.

The apartments and shops are currently on pre-sale by the developer as well as Habita.

Europcar was featured in the 2/2011 issue of Teräsrakenne.

Teräsrakenne is a professional magazine dedicated to high quality steel building.

The featured project is the new headquarters and logistics centre for the car rental company Europcar. The challenge in the building’s facade design was to create a facade which identifies with the client’s brand but is till versatile enough to serve the changing needs the building. Bevels, horizontal moldings and color blocks break up the otherwise long facade. Paroc-elements were used in the facade.

See more pictures and info about Europcar on Archeus website.

This year we have been hosting an art exhibition here at Archeus. Paintings and sculptures by artists Pekka Homanen, Jaakko Mattila and Veikko Törmänen have been on display on our gallery space.

Pekka Homanen builds his art work on a mathematic formula 1+1=3. His paintings are as life itself, well planned, but the result is completely unexpected.

Jaakko Mattila is a very familiar artist to all of us working at Archeus since he had his studio in the same building. His works have often been on display here. In his art Mattila has lately been trying to be as mediocre as he can. He says the mistakes in the process are essential.

Veikko Törmänen's work is influenced by basic forms and colours. Paintings have evolved to be three-dimensional and almost sculpture like. Visuality without a story is the key to Törmänens work.

The opening of the exhibition was held in January 2011.

Jaakko Mattila's new exhibition Lohikäärmeen vuosi, Year of the Dragon will open on January 20th 2012 at Oulu Museum of Art.