Ola Laiho 1934-2025

Architect and one of the founding members of our firm, Ola Laiho passed away on 31 October 2025 in Turku. Born in Yläne on 11 February 1934, he reached the age of 91.

Laiho made an extensive and unique career of working with historically important properties in Finland. He graduated with a degree in architecture from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1966. In addition to architectural design, Laiho worked as a graphic designer for Suunnittelutoimisto G4 together with Esko Miettinen, Juhani Pallasmaa and Esa Piironen.

Laiho began collaborating with Ilpo Raunio while employed at the firm of Pekka Pitkänen in the 1960s. In 1973, Laiho, Raunio and Mikko Pulkkinen founded Arkkitehtitoimisto Laiho–Pulkkinen–Raunio. Some of their earliest work includes expansion and renovation of Parliament House and renovation of Turku Cathedral In 2004, the firm’s name was changed to LPR-arkkitehdit Oy.

In addition to the above-mentioned projects, some of Laiho’s more important work includes renovation of the Chapel of the Resurrection in Turku, Ateneum Museum, University of Helsinki, Kultaranta, Paimio Sanatorium and Turku Art Museum, along with Helsinki Music Centre.

Laiho was awarded the State Prize for Architecture in 1990, Europa Nostra Award in 1996, Finland Award in 1996, Alfred Kordelin Prize in 2003 and the Finnish Cultural Foundation H.G. Porthan medal in 2013.

We here at LPR remember Ola with the greatest respect and gratitude. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Ola’s wife Raija and all of their loved ones for their great loss.