Awarded Illuminations for 2011 from World Design Capital Helsinki 2012

The best illuminations for 2011 were announced and awarded at the Valo Lighting event, arranged in conjunction with the Habitare fair. The Chapel of Saint Lawrence came first in the interior lighting category, while Saunalahti children’s house won the outdoor lighting category. Kodinykkönen home store from Lielahti, Tampere, received an honorary mention. 

The illumination awards are intended to spur Finnish lighting designers and developers by recognising meritable, high-quality lighting solutions. At best, lighting design produces practical, beautiful, ecological solutions that acknowledge the needs of users.

Buildings completed in the last two years were considered in the competition. In its assessment, the jury focused on acknowledgement of the building’s purpose of use, ecological aspects, comfort, and adaptation to the environment. The jury was chaired by Tapio Kallasjoki, who is the Chairman of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of Finland and responsible for studies in electrical engineering at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, partner of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.

The Chapel of Saint Lawrence, Vantaa, which won the interior lighting category, seamlessly combines artificial lighting with architecture, art and natural light. Completed in 2010, the Chapel has a unique ambience. The dimly lit waiting area, windows offering park views and water feature prepare visitors for the occasion at hand. The Chapel is a fine example of successful cooperation among architects, artists and designers.

Winner of the outdoor lighting category, Saunalahti children's house, Espoo, makes use of indirect illumination, which provides a great deal of light to vertical surfaces and increases visibility of people and equipment in the playground. The strongly lit main doors direct people towards the entrances, while playful, mushroom-shaped lighting arches over the brick wall. The children’s house and its lighting are designed with respect to the environment and with the intention of standing the test of time. Inaugurated this year, the building houses a day care centre and child welfare clinic.