Frans Saraste on confronting comfort in architecture

Frans Saraste is a Helsinki-based architect and doctoral student researching how the use of fossil fuels has affected the way we design and think about space. His PhD monograph titled ”Heating Helsinki: An Architectural History of Fuel and Space” at Aalto University is set to be completed in 2025. More recently, his essay “Taking Stock of an Energy Transition” was published on e-flux, offering insights into how architectural design can enable and incentivize mindful heating practices.

His residency with us spans the months of September and October, during which he is collaborating with FCINY’s residency partner Cooper Union School of Architecture. Before he leaves the city, Saraste is speaking at Heated Pasts - an event on heating histories hosted by The Cooper Union in cooperation with FCINY on October 30th. We also wanted to hear more about his time in New York, his ongoing research and the insights he’s gained during his time here.

You are currently researching how the use of fossil fuels has affected how we design and think about space. Could you share a bit about your current state of research? How did you first get drawn into this topic?

I was originally interested in the necessity for architecture to confront today’s unsustainable ideals of indoor comfort. This confrontation is especially interesting in the Nordic context, as countries like Finland and Sweden are known to expect rather high indoor temperatures during the heating season. In short, using the case of Helsinki, the question became — how did we get here? So with the aim of picking this question apart, I divided the history of city heating into three historical periods, and for each of these periods I try to describe not only indoor conditions of a single room, but also the fuel infrastructure that enabled it, not to mention the developments in broader markets affecting the value being placed of these materials, be they wood, coal or oil. I am currently at the halfway mark, writing out the second chapter out of the three.

What role do you see architects playing in addressing climate change and the energy crisis?

Addressing the polycrisis, successful or not, will mean a plethora of different types of architectural interventions. On the practical side you may have architects applying alternative solutions to energy intensive materials, innovations in building systems, and on the more abstract side you may have for example theorists and historians like myself providing pre-fossil-fuel context to today’s energy-guzzling living standards.

How has New York City influenced your research?

New York City has influenced my work in two important ways. On one hand, it has been the perfect backdrop to executing the work — ie writing. Most of my writing here has taken place in this beautiful library building in Bryant Park. I stumbled upon it quite early on during the residency and we clicked. Thinking and typing happens in the repeated sequences of shifting my gaze between the laptop’s screen and the beautifully painted clouds on the ceiling 60 feet above me. New ideas come when passing stations on the train or as I sip on my post-lunch coffee in Bryant Park.

The second factor of influence is in the people. I have met with several interesting academics whose lines of inquiry are related to mine. It’s nice to be able to follow these peoples’ work through the years to come. I also visited Yale and have a visit planned for UPenn next week.

What have been your favorite (architectural) spots in New York?

The city is obviously full of interesting buildings and spaces — enough to satiate the pickiest of architectural tourists many times over. The most meaningful place however, if not this library in Bryant Park, would have to be the Riverbank State Park, which is a nice short walk away from the residency apartment. I go there almost every day to run, hang on the monkey bars, to gaze at the Hudson River, or even once to roller skate at the rink to a live DJ set. The fast pace of the city and the hustle attitude of its habitants has inspired me to pursue new records in speed running at the track there. My record for 400 meters is 65 seconds. But I think I can do it in 60 next week – in a “New York minute”.

What do you hope to take home from this residency?

Going home next week I will take back many new friendships and collegial contacts, hundreds of nice memories, a personal relationship to the city, many research revelations, teaching experience at the Cooper Union, an interest in running fast, a few rolls of film, an excitement about working abroad, New York routines, new work routines, some I<3NY souvenirs, and a heightened appreciation for good sandwiches. I need to come back soon.

Interview and photos: Sini-Ida Heiskanen

Published: October 28, 2024

Come learn more about Saraste’s research by joining the upcoming event:

Heated pasts
October 30th, 2024 6 to 8pm

At The Cooper Union’s Civic Projects Lounge,
30 Cooper Square / Entrance on 3rd Ave. side.

The event features FRANS SARASTE and ALBERTO MARTINEZ GARCIA in conversation with moderator MOKENA MAKEKA.

drinks and snacks served afterwards
Free entry