Kaisa Takala

Interior architect and freelance designer Kaisa Takala is FCINY’s artist-in-residency in July 2017. Takala works on projects ranging from interior, product and concept design to installations and art.

Takala graduated from Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture with a major in interior and furniture design. Currently she is working at JKMM Architects. Before her career as a designer, Takala completed a BA degree in business focusing on sustainability. Business thinking, design and sustainability are Takala’s core interests; in her practice she combines all these elements. Prior to JKMM architects Takala has worked at KONE design team and Vallila Interior. Her clients as a freelance designer include e.g. NCC, Timberframe and Alko.

Currently, Takala is designing the interior for Central Hospital in Jyväskylä, in central Finland. The interior design of the hospital reflects the special character of the landscape found in central Finland. Incorporating wooden materials and art, Takala aims to highlight the stunning nature of the area, its forests and numerous lakes and hopes that the calming environment will have a healing effect on patients, ultimately letting them forget the reason why they are there in the first place.

During her residency in New York, Takala aims to acquaint herself with the interior design of health care facilities in New York City. She will visit different hospitals, health centers and clinics such as Harlem Hospital, Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center and Katz Women’s Hospital to find new perspectives and inspiration for her own work.