The iconic Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, designed by Alvar Aalto, will reopen to the public on Saturday following an extensive three-year renovation costing 136 million euros, exceeding the original estimate of 119 million euros.
The primary focus of the renovation was the replacement of the building's facade, consisting of 11,000 marble tiles. Cracks in the tiles have plagued the structure since its completion in 1971. The current set is the third in the building's history, following replacements in 1998.
"The new marble tiles should last at least 50 years. They underwent seven years of testing, including strength assessments," said Johanna Tolonen, CEO of Finlandia Hall.
Despite exploring more durable materials like granite, no suitable alternative was found. Lead designer Teemu Tuomi from architectural firm NRT explained that the chosen marble comes from Northern Italy.
"We visited buildings constructed in the 1980s in Italy where the same marble remains in excellent condition. That gives us confidence in its longevity," he added.
New features
Alongside the upgraded façade, the renovations introduced several new features. The building now houses a wine cafe open to the public and will soon add a bistro in January.
A permanent exhibition dedicated to Alvar Aalto, as well as his spouses and collaborators Aino and Elissa Aalto, will open in June, celebrating their life's work and Finnish design heritage.
"Helsinki has lacked a space dedicated to Alvar Aalto opened year-round to everyone. Considering Aalto's international reputation, it's strange this hasn't existed before," Tolonen remarked.
Art enthusiasts can enjoy an exhibition curated by the Helsinki Art Museum, showcasing 70 works by artists such as Susanna Majuri, Nanna Susi, Birger Kaipiainen and Laila Pullinen. The pieces are displayed throughout the building, including its lobby and new accommodation spaces.
Two apartments within the hall, named Aino and Elissa, have been converted into accommodation, each hosting up to four guests at a nightly rate starting from 350 euros. Previously used by Finlandia Hall staff, the spaces are now open to the public.
"The first bookings have already been made. Globally, it's quite rare to have such an offering," Tolonen noted.
Finlandia Hall's next chapter
The venue will continue to host major international events, including the 50th anniversary celebration of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) next summer. However, its transformation represents a shift in purpose.
"The biggest change is that this marks a new era for Finlandia Hall. Previously, it was known as a concert and conference venue requiring an invitation or ticket. Now, locals and visitors can access it daily without restrictions," Tolonen explained.
Visitors can enter through the lobby, which leads to the new wine cafe and its terrace, featuring Kimmo Schroderus's striking five-metre, 500-kilogram sculpture, Viihdyttäjän vapaapäivä (Entertainer's Day Off).
The reopening will feature a Strauss 25th anniversary concert on Saturday , followed by performances such as Apocalyptica's concert later on in January.
An open house event on 25 January will include guided tours, discussions and family-friendly activities, welcoming all to experience the revitalised Finlandia Hall.