NSPS in Helsinki: meetings with Finland’s architectural community and conclusion of the Poland – Estonia – Finland international tour
On April 24, 2026, Oleksandr Pietushkov, Director of International Cooperation and Development of NSPS, concluded his international tour in Helsinki, where he held meetings with representatives of Finland’s architectural community — including members of SAFA (Suomen Arkkitehtiliitto — the Finnish Association of Architects) and Archinfo Finland (the Architecture Information Centre of Finland).
Helsinki was the final stop of a six-day itinerary — Warsaw → Tallinn → Helsinki — during which NSPS conducted over twelve business meetings with representatives of architectural and design organisations, government bodies, donor structures and think tanks across Poland, Estonia and Finland.
SAFA, founded in 1951, is one of the oldest and most influential architectural organisations in Northern Europe, uniting over 3,500 architects and serving as the key voice of Finland’s architectural community in public life, education and international relations.
Archinfo Finland is a partner organisation responsible for the international presentation of Finnish architecture, participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale and the communication of architectural values at the global level.
The meetings covered Finland’s experience in architectural education and continuing professional development, the role of associations in shaping architectural policy, approaches to timber construction and low-carbon solutions, and opportunities for international cooperation in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Of particular relevance is Finland’s leadership in mass timber housing construction — with extensive use of CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and other engineered wood systems offering new possibilities for rapid, sustainable and aesthetically high-quality reconstruction of damaged urban areas in Ukraine.
Key meeting topics:
- SAFA — Finnish Association of Architects, founded in 1951, over 3,500 members
- Archinfo Finland — international presentation of Finnish architecture and Venice Biennale participation
- Architectural education and continuing professional development in Finland
- Mass timber housing construction and CLT technologies as a reference for Ukraine’s reconstruction
- Low-carbon architecture and social design
- Tour summary: 3 countries, 6 days, 12+ business meetings
Meeting outcomes:
Contact with SAFA and Archinfo
- Established direct contacts with key institutions of Finland’s architectural community for further cooperation
Timber construction for reconstruction
- Identified CLT and engineered timber systems as one of the most promising directions for adaptation to Ukrainian conditions
Baltic partnership network
- The conclusion of the Warsaw — Tallinn — Helsinki tour formed a network of partnerships across three Baltic countries
