ºÚÁÏÍø

News

Architectural history is always constructed, produced and written in the present

Panu Savolainen has taken on the new position of assistant professor of history of architecture and architectural conservation in March 2020.
Arkkitehtuurin historian ja restauroinnin apulaisprofessori Panu Savolainen.
Photo: Panu Savolainen

Panu Savolainen has taken on the new position of assistant professor (Tenure track) of history of architecture and architectural conservation starting from 25 March 2020. Savolainen will be teaching Introduction to History of architecture, several Master level courses, doctoral studies as well as supervising Master’s and doctoral theses.
 
Panu Savolainen’s (born in Turku, Finland, in1983) passion for the history of architecture was sparked when living in Southern France in the mid-1990s — growing up around Roman monuments and Romanesque churches. He believes history is always (re-)constructed, produced and written in the present moment, and thus the history of architecture should be seen as an extremely societal and future-oriented topic and field of research. This worldview includes also the scopes of circular economy and the constantly changing and re-mediated values of the built heritage.

Savolainen is MSc in Architecture (2009), MA in history (2013) and PhD (2017). His previous work includes building history survey (2004-2005), architectural design (2006-2008), conservation, museum and archaeological projects in Finland and Russia (2010-2014), research and teaching (University of Turku and Ã…bo Akademi, 2014-2019), and University lecturer (University of Turku 2019-2020).

Since 2011 he has taught history of architecture in Aalto as an hourly teacher.
 
Savolainen’s current research is about medieval timber structures and the iconography of stellar vaults as a historical and archaeological source. He’s working with new constructional innovations based on tradition and some side projects related to the authenticity of built heritage.
 

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Attendees networking at Demo Day
Campus, University Published:

Demo Day breaks records in 2026: Inside Otaniemi’s fastest growing startup showcase

Hosted by Aalto Startup Center and A Grid, Demo Day brought together nearly 800 visitors, 90 startup booths, and over 75 investors. What began as a grassroots gathering in 2018 has grown into one of Finland’s most vibrant startup showcases.
Otakaari 3
Campus, Studies Published:

The campus welcomes its third Learning Lounge

Learning Lounge makes a new expansion into Restaurant Aalto Kvarkki on 16 March.
A speaker addresses a large audience in a dark auditorium. A large screen behind shows a vibrant image with the text 'Welcome'.
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Annual review looked back on the past year

The annual review of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture provided a comprehensive overview of the past year. Members of the community were also awarded in the event.
Open book showing a skateboarding person and another person with yellow hair in a colourful outfit at Agfa Multicultural Centre.
University Published:

Coming up next autumn at Aalto's Department of Architecture: a studio course on the reuse and expansion of the present Architecture and Design Museum buildings in Helsinki

Capstone Studio 2026 at Aalto explores adaptive reuse of the Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki, using photography, collage and urban design methods.