In the history of building, J. S. Sirén is one of the names that keeps returning.
The record lists J. S. Sirén as Finnish architect (1889–1961).
J. S. Sirén was born at Ylihärmä in 1889. His recorded nationality is Finland. He trained at Helsinki University of Technology.
Modernism rejected ornament and historical style, arguing that a building should express its structure and its function - a claim contested ever since.
He is recorded as architect, university teacher and visual artist.
An architect is judged by how a building is used a century after the drawings.
Recognition followed: Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland, Officer of the Legion of Honour and Order of Civil Merit.
That the work was built in Finland shaped it: climate, materials, planning law and who holds the budget all decide what can actually be built.
J. S. Sirén died in 1961, aged 72. The buildings remain, still in use by people who never knew the name - which is the particular afterlife architecture offers.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
- Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Trained at Helsinki University of Technology
