Juha Leiviskä’s distinctive architectural style remains underappreciated, with some of his buildings now at risk of demolition. The Finnish Association of Architects is calling for Juha Leiviskä’s oeuvre to be catalogued, protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Juha Leiviskä (1936–2023) ranks among the best-known Finnish architects internationally, and he is undoubtedly one of the great names in modern architecture.
“With a number of his buildings now facing demolition, the time has come to secure the future of Juha Leiviskä’s remarkable legacy without delay. His architecture should be viewed as part of Finland’s national heritage,” commented Asko Takala, SAFA Chair. “It is essential that a complete catalogue of his output is compiled now, when the buildings remain at their most authentic.”
Leiviskä’s oeuvre, 32 structures in total, comprises churches and church halls as well as residential properties and public buildings. Among his best-known works are the churches in the Finnish cities of Oulu, Kuopio and Vantaa.
His sacral architecture is widely considered to constitute a series of Gesamtkunstwerk, total works of art, where the designs engage in inextricable interplay with the natural light that filters into them. Leiviskä also enjoyed a distinguished career as a designer, creating a number of light designs.
Currently, none of the Leiviskä-designed buildings have been afforded protected status under Finnish law; however, the Heritage Agency has initiated the process for the Puolivälikangas Church in Oulu.
The refurbishment of Myyrmäki Church, completed in 2024, is an outstanding and encouraging example of the commitment that exists to preserve these important works. Elsewhere, the Kirkkonummi Church Hall is at risk of being torn down and stands as an unfortunate warning of the likely fate facing other ecclesiastical buildings in Finland.
Leiviskä is the only Finnish architect whose work has been recognised with the highly regarded Carlsberg Architectural Prize (1995). His work garnered other significant accolades too, notably an honorary membership of the American Institute of Architects (1994), the Pro Finlandia medal (1992) and the Prins Eugen Medal (1994).
SAFA is organising a symposium focusing on Juha Leiviskä’s architectural oeuvre in collaboration with the Building Information Foundation (RTS) and the German Alvar Aalto Gesellschaft. The event will take place on 21 August. The aim of the gathering is to promote awareness of and foster debate on Leiviskä’s legacy and to capture and share knowledge on how his designs are currently being used, their state of repair and any remedial works required.