NOW is a Helsinki-based practice operating in the joint fields of architecture, urbanism, strategy, design and communication. We develop and design for now, the contemporary condition. The scale and scope of the work extends from city to object, from strategy to detail. Our mission is to make the world more interesting and enjoyable.
Here’s what’s up:
26.8.2010
“Urbanism in the House” will be out next week! A preview will be at the Venice Biennale 28-29.8.2010, and the official release party at the HDW closing club night at YK on Friday 3.9.2010. The limited 12″ book/record release (with an awesome cover designed by Åbäke) will be available in select recordshops and bookstores.
• Their occupants drive long distances every day.
• The energy they consume is carbon-intensive.
• Their technology is too complicated to use or too difficult to maintain.
• Their impact stops at the property line.
• They deny the use of pre-existing infrastructure or building fabric.
• They are conceived in isolation from larger, systemic environmental change.
Check out our full text on CNN.
10.7.2010
NOW’s design for a block of floating houses in Kalasatama has been selected to the Helsinki Horizon show at Laituri and the London Architecture Week and to the exhibition of the Finnish pavilion at Shanghai Expo.
Tuomas Toivonen had a musical lecture with a visual narrative prepared by Åbäke at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s amazing Victorian auditorium on June 25th as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
1.6.2010
We made a site visit to the Y-house – it’s nearly finished!
21.5.2010
As part of the Sino-Finnish Architecture Symposium organised by Tianjin University & UED, Tuomas held a lecture and participated in a roundtable discussion with Teemu Kurkela from JKMM and Zhang Ke from Standard Architecture. As part pf the event, the university architecture gallery opened an exhibtion on Contemporary Finnish Architecture featuring NOW’s work.
15.5.2010
NOW’s Lakeside House received the HIŠE award for sustainable excellence in private housing in Lubljana, Slovenia on May 15th!
3.1.2010
NOW has completed the first phase of design for an area of 50 floating houses called “Verkkosaaren Spektri” in the Helsinki East Harbour. The area’s new masterplan, based on these designs, and is to be reviewed by the City Planning Council this spring. Construction is scheduled to start in 2011.
30.12.2009
Here’s what Sebastian J at Archidaily says about the book we edited and designed: “There are certain publications that capture a unique moment on a certain architectural scene, becoming a must have for your bookshelf. And trust me, Newly Drawn is one of those.” Order it from Rakennustieto or Amazon.
1.9.2009
NOW collaborated with REX and Croxton Collaborative on Sitra’s Low2No challenge to lead a multidisciplinary team of sustainability experts. We were commissioned to devise a low carbon future strategy for Finland, design new sustainability indicators and propose an exemplary urban block for Helsinki’s Jätkäsaari. Here’s our scheme at bustler.net
NOW for Architecture and Urbanism Oy
NOW Office Ay
Salomonkatu 17 A 4th floor
FIN-00100 Helsinki
office( )nowoffice.org
fax:+358 (0)9 710 910
Tuomas Toivonen
Architect SAFA
tuomas( )nowoffice.org
skype:tuomastoivonen
+358 (0)40 516 9690
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NOW was founded in 2005 by Tuomas Toivonen and Nene Tsuboi
The NOW workteam 2005-2009 includes: Ilari Airikkala, Chris Göbel, Ville Haimala, Petri Herrala, Lauri Johansson, Martti Kalliala, Dylan Kwok, Tatu Metsätähti, Outi Pirhonen, Antti Salo, Lorenzo Servi, Satoshi Yoshida.
Collaborators include: Demos Helsinki, REX Architecture, Croxton Collaborative, Transsolar, Magnusson-Klemencic Associates, Bureau Bas Smets, 2X4, AWP Atelier de reconfiguration territoriale, DUS Architects, BYGG studio, Åbäke & Kitsuné, Company Helsinki, ambient.tv, Finnmap, SARC Architects, WSP Finland, Helsinki University of Technology – Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (TKK/YTK), Mitsumaru, Daniel Palillo, Kerkko Vanhanen, Martti Kalliala, Kim Simonsson, Martta Louekari, Nao Saito.
Clients include: Agent Pekka, Alma Media, Artek, Ateneum – The Finnish National Gallery, Berling Group, C-Kalasatama Oy, Delish, Design Forum Finland, EGO, Evia, Flow Festival, Grilli Films, Helsinki City Art Museum, Hotelli Torni, Greater Helsinki Council (PKS MAL-neuvottelukunta), Iittala Group, Laundry Helsinki, MTV3, Nordea Eläkevakuutus, Palace-Kämp Hotels, Redrum/Universal Cafe, Rouge Bunny Rouge Cosmetics, Sitra – the Finnish Innovation Fund, SJK Investment, Sponda Group, Taivas – 7th Heaven, TBWA\PHS, Uuden Musiikin Festivaali and private individuals.