Architectural history is always constructed, produced and written in the present

Panu Savolainen has taken on the new position of assistant professor (Tenure track) of history of architecture and architectural conservation starting from 25 March 2020. Savolainen will be teaching Introduction to History of architecture, several Master level courses, doctoral studies as well as supervising Master’s and doctoral theses.
 
Panu Savolainen’s (born in Turku, Finland, in1983) passion for the history of architecture was sparked when living in Southern France in the mid-1990s — growing up around Roman monuments and Romanesque churches. He believes history is always (re-)constructed, produced and written in the present moment, and thus the history of architecture should be seen as an extremely societal and future-oriented topic and field of research. This worldview includes also the scopes of circular economy and the constantly changing and re-mediated values of the built heritage.

Savolainen is MSc in Architecture (2009), MA in history (2013) and PhD (2017). His previous work includes building history survey (2004-2005), architectural design (2006-2008), conservation, museum and archaeological projects in Finland and Russia (2010-2014), research and teaching (University of Turku and Åbo Akademi, 2014-2019), and University lecturer (University of Turku 2019-2020).

Since 2011 he has taught history of architecture in Aalto as an hourly teacher.
 
Savolainen’s current research is about medieval timber structures and the iconography of stellar vaults as a historical and archaeological source. He’s working with new constructional innovations based on tradition and some side projects related to the authenticity of built heritage.