VOICES FROM THE ARCHIVE. The archive as a testimony of the processes

Abstract

The approach to the work of Finnish architects Raili and Reima Pietilä inevitably involves the analysis of the documentation preserved in their collection, housed in the archives of the Arkkitehtuurimuseo – the Museum of Finnish Architecture (MFA). Their process-driven design methodology is reflected in thousands of documents that trace the evolution of their innovative architectural and landscape concepts during the second half of the twentieth century. Donated by Raili Pietilä in 2004, the collection remains largely undigitised, with only a small portion catalogued within the MFA’s main archive; the remainder is held in the museum’s general repository. This article aims to recover and underscore the value of intermediate drawings in the for- mal development of architectural ideas, positioning them as key instruments for reconstructing the architects’ conceptual and design processes. It posits that the materials generated during project development are fundamental to understanding the logic and articulation of the final architectural proposals. To address the substantial volume of unpublished and non-digitised material, a specific research methodology has been developed. The study focuses on a single case: the Dipoli building (1961– 1966), with particular attention to the distinctive skylights of its organic roof structure. The findings are presented through graphic compositions that reveal the fluidity and iterative nature of the design process. The originality of the study lies in its visual interpretation of archival material, presenting a graphic narrative that enriches the understanding of the Pietiläs’ architectural practice.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.34.2025.13