In terms of architectural production, the work Juhani Pallasmaa has undergone a shift during his career. His early career is characterised by concerns with rationalism, standardization and prefabrication. This was partly due to the influence of his mentor Professor Aulis Blomstedt, who was very much concerned with proportional systems and standardization. However, the key models were both Japanese architecture and the refined abstractions of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In Finland this is referred to as "constructivism", and at that time, the late 1950s and 1960s, stood in opposition to the work of Alvar Aalto, who was increasingly seen in his home country as an idiosyncratic individualist. But the interest in Japan also contained the seeds for Pallasmaa's later concerns; materiality and a phenomenology of experience. It was after returning from teaching in Africa that Pallasmaa turned away from pure constructivism, and took up his concerns with psychology, culture, and phenomenology. His concern for details and small works such as exhibition design has sometimes earned him the label "jewel-box architect". 2006 saw the completion of his largest ever work, the Kamppi Center, incorporating the main bus station, a shopping centre and housing in central Helsinki, though the work was split up into different sections involving various architects.
- Kamppi Centre, Helsinki, 2003-2006.
- Snow Show, Lapland (with Rachel Whiteread), 2004.
- Bank of Finland Museum, Helsinki, 2002-2003.
- Pedestrian and cycle bridge, Viikki Eco-village, Helsinki, 2002.
- Itäkeskus Shopping Centre, Helsinki; major extension, glass covered boulevard (interior, bridge and kiosk structures, street furniture, advertising systems) 1989-91.
- Ruoholahti Residential Area, Helsinki: design of outdoor spaces (canal, parks, bridges, materials, lighting, street furniture, etc.), 1990-91.
- Institut Finlandais (with Roland Schweitzer), 60, Rue des Ecoles, Paris, 1986-91.
- Helsinki Telephone Association, phone booth design, 1987.
- Helsinki Old Market Hall, Helsinki, renovation 1986.
- Art Museum, Rovaniemi, renovation, 1984-86.
- Summer atelier of artist Tor Arne, Vänö Island, 1970.
- Moduli 225 (with Kristian Gullichsen), model industrial summer house, 1969-1971.