Kivi Sotamaa’s work has been particularly significant in exploring innovative lines of communication between digital design technologies and material realities of construction and manufacturing. He has imbued that communication with an intelligence and intuition that derives as much from social and situational understanding as from his virtuosic command of digital design software and the physical behavior of materials and structures. Sotamaa has developed a formal vocabulary which reflects his fluid, less bounded, more organic way of working and communicating. Ranging from urban and building design to products and furniture, Sotamaa’s work has been paradigmatic both in its scope and intent. His recent work includes the Finnish Pavilion for the 2017 World Expo in Kazakhstan, Fazer Visitor Center visitor experience (artworks, furniture, signage and a flagship store), Kissing Helsinki - an honorable mention entry for Guggenheim Helsinki, Atelier House - a digitally manufactured wooden home, Finnjävel restaurant (including over 150 bespoke objects) and Ultima – a circular economy themed restaurant. 

Sotamaa is a designer/architect and pioneer of digital design based in Helsinki. Sotamaa is the Founding Partner of Ateljé Sotamaa which he co-directs with his sister, designer Tuuli Sotamaa. Sotamaa is an Associate Professor at UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design. Previously he has been Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture 2003-2006 and Visiting Professor at the Universität für Angewandte Kunst, Institut für Architektur in Vienna 2006-2007. Kivi Sotamaa is the Founder of ADD Aalto University Digital Design Laboratory and was one of the founders of OCEAN NORTH in the 90’s. He is trained at the University of Art and Design Helsinki with adjunct studies at the Helsinki University of Technology and the Royal College of Art London departments of architecture.