For architecture enthusiasts, Helsinki is a city you don’t want to miss! Here you could discover multilayers of different styles of architecture within one hundred years span, from Art nouveau, late jugendstil to neoclassicism, functionalism to modernism.
Photo: Yiping Feng/Helsinki Partners
The boom of National Romanticism seen in architecture already from the end of 19th century was a way which Finland used to find its national identity and fought for its political freedom from Imperial Russia. Art Nouveau or Jugend architecture was developed alongside national romanticism and was very popular at the beginning of 20th century. Some of the finest examples include: Pohjola Insurance Building (1901) on the shopping street Aleksanterinkatu, designed by Gesellius-Lindgren-Saarinen to house the Pohjola fire insurance company. Lars Sonck’s Jugendsali Hall (1904) was formerly a bank building, now a cafe; National Museum (1910) by Gesellius-Lindgren-Saarinen represents national romanticism from outside and art art nouveau from the interior. Late-Jugend is represented by Eliel Saarinen’s Central Railway Station (1914) with lantern bearer statues by Emil Wikström.
Photo: Yiping Feng/Helsinki Partners
Stepping into the 1920s, you’d find the charm of classicism. Wooden architecture can be admired in the Käpylä, Puu-Vallila and Etu-Töölö districts. The architecture of the Käpylä district represents 1920s Classicism. Nordic Classicism of the 1920s is represented by J. S. Siren’s Parliament House (1931) using local building materials and interior decorations focusing on Nordic nature.
The crash of 1929 brought economic depression. People wanted functional and long lasting buildings that were value for money. Functionalism became popular. One of the fine examples is Lasipalatsi (1935) which was designed as a temporary building for the 1940 Olympics which was delayed due to the Second World War. Nowadays it hosts restaurants, cafes, cinema, shops and the art museum Amos Rex. Olympic Stadium (1938) is another example and the 1952 Summer Olympics was held there.
Photo: Tuomas Uusiheimo/Helsinki Partners
Towards the late half of the 20th century, modernism appeared in architecture. The works of world-famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto represent Modernism at its finest. These include the Academic Bookstore (1969) and Finlandia Hall (1971/1975). The last big public building in the 20th century is a glass architecture Sanomatalo (1999) with minimalist glass and steel design.
Photo: Mika Huisman/Amos Rex
The Multilayers of Finnish Architectural Style in Helsinki Walking Tour
Duration: 3 h
Places:
Oodi
Parliament House (not inside)
Finlandia talo (not inside)
Sanomatalo
Amos Rex (not inside)
Old Student House (not inside)
Central Railway Station
National Theatre (not inside)
Pohjola Insurance Company Building (not inside)
Esplanade Park
Jugend Hall
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