In the middle of Helsinki, a fascinating house, the House of Culture stands perfectly as an incarnation of the inspired genius of Alvar Aalto, arguably one of the most famous architects of Finland. Finished in 1958, this mid-century Japanese construction is one of the most popular symbols of modernist architecture that embodies Aalto's signature organic forms, delicacy, and daring use of bricks. For the last few years, it has been proud to hold a great diversity of cultural events while hosting famous people from the world of music or art. However, with time, the work of the House of Culture became more and more laborious, and at that point, a much-needed restoration was needed for the center to survive in the modern era.
The Restoration Team
Run by the JKMM Architecture Studio and Design Company Plush, the 'total restoration' project of Aalto's building centers was reinvented. The design team was mandated to create a design that merges the original building's historic integrity with the modern facilities. Such a task required a detailed understanding and research, leading to the coming up with a new idea of restoring the building to the glory it enjoyed years back. Under the careful supervision of JKMM, the specialists in adaptive reuse projects and initiatives were taken to follow Aalto's original vision while adhering to modern usage needs.
(Photo: Maija Holma | Alvar Aalto Foundation)
Preserving History
The restoration process focused on a strong aversion to eroding the sense of the House of Culture. Placing the site under building protection regulation of the Building Protection Act of Finland as early as 1989, such a clear and distinctive place needed a proper management plan. JKMM's long-standing practice in re-establishing the existing buildings' profile has proven the ability to address and overcome some of the complexities involved in this venture.
The House of Culture's interior restoration presented its own challenges and opportunities. In the main auditorium and the mall passageways, exquisite details of past craftsmanship had to be complemented with a bold and forward-looking approach to achieve the continuous flow of the present and the past. Taking a cue from the site's significant past while also paying attention to today's youth culture, the architects decided to examine materials, colors, and surfaces as part of a creatively charged endeavor.
Modernizing Spaces
We should mention the evolution of the used-to-be Alppisali hall at the basement level. It used to be stagnant but is now rekindled as a lively night spot for the era's own. In this instance, JKMM was playing out their ingenuity as they converted the banal cinema into a vibrant stage for performances that may serve live music or DJs. In other places, such as the former House of Culture, the existing pieces of furniture by Ilmari Tapiovaara and Alvar Aalto were comprehensively cleaned in terms of shape and color and carefully brought back to their original places to pay original and valuable value to the history of this building.
Honoring Aalto's Legacy
The architects involved in the interior design of the House of Culture aimed at both celebrating its historical and cultural background and producing a complete experience environment. By adding notes linked to the different levels of the building's history, they desecrated that every room had its own story, enabling each space to become a symbol of Aalto's lasting heritage.
Not long after the building's doors had been designed to open to the general public, it was evident what chapter this culture house was undergoing in its glorious history. With its spatiotemporal modernity and eternal vitality, this modernist masterpiece served as the mirror and the replica of those who, like the building, inspire others with their creativity and passion, creating a lasting legacy that endures across generations. At the end of the renovation process undertaken jointly by JKMM and by design agency Fyra, the House of Culture has become a place where people will come to be entertained, and their curiosity will awaken for generations to come.