Kivi Sotamaa
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Kivi Sotamaa (born 1971) is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the graduate design of the Ohio State University [1], the 2006 visiting teacher to the Universität für Angewandte Kunst, Institut für Architektur in Vienna[2] and the principal of Sotamaa Architecture Design, Ltd. Until 2006 he was one of the principals of Ocean North.[3]
Architect and critic Greg Lynn wrote of Kivi Sotamaa that he combines “a deep appreciation for architectural design in terms of materials and construction with a keen awareness of contemporary fashion and design culture” and is “without question the most couture of his generation” and produces “the most stunning and beautiful forms designed on a computer.” [Praxis Magazine # 6 2004, Constellations In Practice -article].[4]. Architecture critic Jeffrey Kipnis has said that "Sotamaa is a classical member of Finnish Architectural tradition and has a tremendous instinct for buildings"[5], and Former New York Times Architecture critic Herbert Muschamp has said that "his great strength that has impressed me as I have gotten to know him is his eye. He really has an amazingly sharp eye".[6]
Sotamaa’s creative work has been exhibited by MoMA, the Wexner Center for the Arts, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Fondazione Trussardi[7] and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa[8]. Publications featuring his work include the New York Times[9], Phaidon’s 10×10 Architects, New Scandinavian Design, Forum Sweden[10], AD, Praxis, Kenhiku Bunka, L’Arca and Domus. His most current projects are the PS1 Young Architect Award finalist entry currently on display at MoMA and an apartment building in USA, to be constructed in 2007.
Sotamaa holds a Masters degree from the University of Art and Design in Helsinki UIAH[11] and in addition has studied at the Helsinki University of Technology and the Royal College of Art in London.
