Architecture collective South of North wants to promote ecological building in developing countries
Works by students from Aalto University are included in the Nordic collaboration project South of North that aims to improve living conditions in developing countries by means of architecture. In particular, South of North attempts to motivate and encourage local people to use ecological materials.
The project is a joint effort of twelve teams of young architects that have all implemented building projects in developing countries. The teams have been formed in various ways but Aalto University has played a strong role in forming the Finnish teams. The group Komitu Architects was born after courses organised at Aalto University, and Komitu Architects was indeed one of the founders of South of North.
Photos by Anna Autio
The idea behind South of North was the thought that architects working on the same projects could share their knowledge. In the start seminar organised in Helsinki in 2013, the foundation was created for a network that would enable Nordic groups of architects working in developing countries to share with each other the know-how they have gained in building projects.
Collaborative exhibition in Mexico
Use of ecological materials is visible in the collective's most recent exhibition in Guadalajara in Mexico that has been designed in cooperation with a Mexican group of architects. The exhibition space is in a pavilion of the Kukuruchos gallery that has been made entirely of natural materials such as wood, straw and reed. After the exhibition, the pavilion will be used for different a purpose in Guadalajara.
The exhibition in Mexico will also be implemented in collaboration with the Take the Winter Coat Off exhibition by the Mexican ceramic artist Sara Pereyra, who was a student at Aalto University. The unique ceramic art works that Pereyra has collected for the exhibition in the Kukuruchos Gallery have been designed by 13 young designers who studied at Aalto University. These works of art have been inspired by Mexican culture. The exhibition will be open 29 September – 25 October 2015.
More information is available on:
Read more news
Master's students in accounting worked on Fiskars' equity story
The work of students can have a real impact on the overall value and future performance of a company and its business areas
Alum Vesa Sironen: 'It's important that studies have a certain amount of flexibility'
Alum of the School of Business and board professional Vesa Sironen studied for his bachelor's degree in Mikkeli and his master's degree in Töölö, in addition to completing the separate ITP and IDBM programmes in Otaniemi.
Register for the Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders
A transnational online programme for students, faculty, and leaders who want to advance sustainability initiatives within their institutions. Register by 13 February 2026.