Finland’s exhibition at the world’s most respected architecture event of La Biennale di Venezia envisions a water-conserving and nutrient-recycling sanitation solution. A dry toilet developed by the City of Helsinki, dubbed Helsinki Huussi, is part of the “Huussi – Imagining the Future History of Sanitation” exhibition in the Pavilion of Finland, which opened on 18 May.
Helsinki Huussi toilet, designed for city-use, is part of Archinfo’s Biennale Architettura exhibition, which focuses on the role of architects in solving problems related to climate change and human activity. The exhibition questions the current sanitation system based on flush toilets in times where the availability of drinking water and sufficient food production is a global problem.
“It is natural for Finnish architects to bring up the topic and open up discussion in an international setting and challenge the professionals in times where we have to actively seek more sustainable solutions in all areas of society. The exhibition highlights the role of architects as questioners of social issues and protectors of nature and the common good,” says the curator of the Huussi exhibition, Arja Renell.
Helsinki Huussi is an environmentally friendly dry toilet which was launched by the City of Helsinki in autumn 2021. Waste accumulated in the waterless Helsinki Huussi toilet is not flushed away as usual but is instead taken to be composted.
“It is good to see the innovation from Helsinki’s natural sites become part of an important international discussion. Helsinki works hard on experiments that support new sustainable lifestyle and Helsinki Huussi is a perfect example,” says Hanna Harris, Chief Design Officer at the City of Helsinki. “Helsinki Huussi represents well the spirit of Helsinki: we are natural, inventive and take responsibility for the Earth’s future. Huussi has already charmed the residents of Helsinki, right down to the heart shape on the door.”
“Huussi – Imagining the future history of sanitation” exhibition in the Pavilion of Finland is commissioned by Archinfo – Information Centre for Finnish Architecture and realised by The Dry Collective, a group made up of architect and artist Arja Renell (FI) as well as architects Emmi Keskisarja (FI), Barbara Motta (IT), Eero Renell (FI) and Janne Teräsvirta (FI) and graphic designer Antero Jokinen (FI).
The exhibition is held in the Alvar Aalto-designed Pavilion of Finland in Giardini, Venice. The theme of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is “The Laboratory of the Future”. The Biennale Architettura is open to the public between 20 May – 26 November 2023.
Photography courtesy of Ugo Carmeni/Archinfo.
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