Janne Teräsvirta

Partner, ALA Architects.

The Work Questionnaire.

What made you go the way you chose to go?

Initially I doubted the prospects to be able to really matter in the stiff construction industry so I started studying graphic design alongside architecture. Then St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel project by Sanaksenaho Architects was published, which convinced me that apart from a direct effect on society (which I’d always found appealing in architecture) one could still make strong sculptural statements too.

What’s the greatest difficulty you had to overcome to do what you’re doing now?

During the first two years in architecture school we were mostly taught art. I seriously considered dropping out as I was interested in the multiple impacts of construction and was learning hand drawing and sculpting…

What’s the greatest difficulty you face on a daily basis to keep on doing what you’re doing?

To deal with the fact that only a fragment of your work will materialize. Although projects don’t literally die on a “daily” basis, you must regularly go through the frustration, disbelief and lack of power that cancellations bring you.

When did you find yourself thinking, “Well, this is it. I’m really doing what I want now”?

When we first moved into our current office space. I’d visited a party there some years earlier when it was still occupied by another office and thought: this is the kind of place I’d like to have one day. (We are currently looking for a new space…).

How did you set your activity up? What was the process that led you to do what you’re doing?

I co-founded our office, ALA, after we won the competition for the Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand/Norway. This was preceded by an extremely intensive period of working on open competitions through late nights and weekends in addition to our daily jobs in architecture firms.

How do you imagine the future?

Bright. The world is currently undergoing significant changes, forcing us to reshape our way of thinking and our way of living. This means an opportunity to improve and to develop.

What would you consider to be the main quality in order to survive in your field?

Stamina.

And what is the indispensable flaw that someone should have in order to get into your business?

Almost anyone can get into the business, but to succeed in architecture you need a sense of delusion about your ability to make real change to the world.

Filed In: Architecture

February 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm