Interview: Caterina Casagrande
Luca Curci talks with Caterina Casagrande during FUTURE LANDSCAPES, third appointment of BORDERS Art Fair 2020, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Caterina Casagrande has made her career in contemporary architecture focusing in equality, accessibility and the diverse use of space. Caterina Casagrande was born in 1961 in Turku, Southwest Finland, into a family of entrepreneurs. She followed her father’s example to study architecture and received her architectural diploma from Lunds Tekniska Högskolan (LTH), Sweden, in 1991. She received further education in color theory in Barcelona in 1994. She started her work in Florence, participating in historical restoration projects in the Italian city. The interest in historical architecture and renovations has stayed with her as one of the main themes of her work, particularly in developing the historical areas of her home city of Turku. After developing her expertise as a principal designer in architectural offices both in Finland and abroad, Casagrande founded her own office in 2005 in Turku and in spring 2020 the office merged whit Suunnittelulinja Suomi Oy and formed a new company name CASAGRANDE OY Arkkitehdit Insinöörit and provides hole design, included the technical design, structura, plumin and electrical design. The projects range from one-family houses to large urban planning projects.

Luca Curci – We were attracted by the project you have shown, has it been created for the festival or is it a part of preexisting works?  
Caterina Casagrande – The work is made for a land transfer competition which is now undervaluation. It is an area that is under state planning and after 2 years it is possible to start construction works. The result of the competition should be ready at the end of this year. The purpose of the competition to find new ways to design closed blocks in an energy-efficient way, respecting green values and increasing community spirit.

LC – What are you currently working on?
CC – My office is working currently whit multiple housing projects.

LC – Which architects inspire you the most?
CC – Well I think for the present time, I am inspired by all female architects who have been working before my time and making the way possible for women to enter to a branch which is so strongly led to men.

LC – How would you define your responsibility as an architect? 
CC – My responsibility as an architect is to design homes for all kinds of people, homes that create a safe and peaceful living environment. Homes that are energy-efficient and time lasting.

LC – Are you concerned about environmental and social sustainability in your buildings? If so, what role does green building play into your work?
CC – The green building play everyday bigger and bigger role in design and it starts to be a value for the investors and for the building companies. Solar energy and geothermal energy are the most popular in present days in Finland.

LC – Did you feel comfortable cooperating with us?
CC – Yes absolutely.

LC – What do you think about our organization of the event?
CC – It is well organized and carried out whit high professionalism.