Students of architecture to chart Design Capital wasteland areas in summer

The largest, most international architecture event of the Design Capital year will be arranged next summer in Suvilahti, Helsinki. The two-week festival examines the present situation and potential of backyards, wasteland areas and unwanted spaces around the world.

The European Architecture Students Assembly (EASA) is an independent, two-week convention arranged annually in alternating countries for approximately 500 degree and postgraduate students and recently graduated architects.

The annual event was established in Liverpool in 1981, as a group of local students invited talented European students to exchange ideas relating to architecture. The aim was to provide something that institutions were unable to offer. The gathering initiated by local students has grown into a recognised architecture event. The event was last arranged in Finland in 1987.

The Wastelands festival is organised by EASA Finland Ry, the Finnish department of the European host organisation. The festival comprises lectures, social events and workshops, where participants produce projects adopting diverse approaches for interpreting the ‘wastelands’ theme. 

The event seeks to promote cultural exchange and partnerships among European students of architecture and to offer students something schools of architecture are unable to provide. Two intensive weeks allow participants to get to know each and become familiar with the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.