Experiments’ Platform is an alternative education and mentoring programme for emerging spatial practitioners and researchers that has been running since 2021. It is a creative incubator where programme participants guided by guest mentors and community meetings gain tools to develop their ideas and learn more about alternative spatial practice development opportunities. This year creators are invited to participate in the exceptional international programme that will include a five-day residency in Helsinki, a field trip to the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial, and an exhibition in Vilnius.

The fifth season of the Experiments’ Platform will be implemented in collaboration with the Helsinki-based cultural sauna space Kulttuurisauna founded and curated by architect Tuomas Toivonen and designer Nene Tsuboi, as well as with the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial. Four experienced creators successfully developing alternative architectural practices will take the role of mentors in this year’s programme: architect and researcher Vano Ksnelashvili based between Tbilisi and Copenhagen; musician and architect Tuomas Toivonen, based in Helsinki; researcher and architect Indrė Umbrasaitė, based in Vienna; and spatial practitioner exploring architecture and theatre Paula Veidenbauma, based between Riga and Vienna.

This year’s programme is curated by spatial practitioners and artists Artūras Čertovas, Kamilė Vasiliauskaitė and Aistė Gaidilionytė. Drawing on the theme Slow Down of the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial, where the outcome of the programme will be presented, the curators invite proposals for projects that explore the processes of slowing down through spatial practices. The projects should reflect on abundance and excess, circulation of materials and energy, consumerism, fast-paced work culture, and the relationship of these factors with the natural environment.

What is abundance in the contemporary world? How much is enough? Architectural practice is closely related to materiality, but how can we act with what is already there while flexibly embracing the constant flux in the built environment? Surrounded by endless production to try and grasp the very essence of things and welcome a different perception of sufficiency. This year Experiments’ Platform invites participants to delve into the reflective process of decelerated observation and empathetic imagination. What if instead of producers and generators, we became reducers, mediators, spacekeepers, nurturers, dwellers, feelers or simply curious wonderers?

The programme of the platform will be implemented from March to November this year.  During these nine months the participants will develop their projects in a residency organised by the Architektūros fondas and Kulttuurisauna in Helsinki, as well as in mentorship sessions, team meetings and lectures. The experiments developed during the project will be presented in October at the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial and in November in Vilnius, at the ExP exhibition.

The Experiments’ Platform offers participants:

  • A one-time stipend of 1500 € (including taxes);
  • A budget of up to 500 € for experiment research and production;
  • Mentor consultations;
  • Technical and curatorial support from the Experiments’ Platform team;
  • The opportunity to participate in lectures, meetings, and workshops relevant to the projects;
  • A five-day residency (July 14-18 this year) in Helsinki to slow down, reflect and develop creative ideas;
  • The opportunity to present their implemented experiment in Copenhagen during the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial and take part in a group exhibition in Vilnius, SODAS2123 spaces.

We expect from participants:

  • Conscious, responsible and sensitive participation in project activities throughout the 2025 Experiments’ Platform programme from May to November;
  • Ability to independently develop and execute their project, implement, and present its results;
  • Ability to communicate proficiently in English;
  • Ability to participate in the residency in Helsinki on July 14-18th this year and the presentation event of the Experiments’ Platform results in Copenhagen and Vilnius in September and November (travel and accommodation expenses will be covered).

Application requirements:

  • Proposed experiment idea, presented in textual, visual, or other expressive form (in English);
  • A motivational letter explaining why you want to join the 2025 Experiments’ Platform programme (up to 500 words, in English);
  • CV and portfolio of up to five research or creative projects (the number of accompanying images is unlimited) (in English).

Please send the proposed experiment idea, CV, portfolio, and motivational letter in PDF format to the email address exp@archfondas.lt.

The deadline for applying is the 2nd of March.