Helsinki Files 10: Forever Finlandia

HOLY CRAP WHO EVEN CARES ANYMORE???

I know, right? Sorry, but it would kill me not to share a few more of my Finnish memories, however distant they may be. Especially this Alvar Aalto classic: Finlandia Hall.

From the outside, this triumph of modernism appears as a jumbled composition of masses, protruding and gliding through and across one another. It is, as you would expect, white Carrara Marble from Italy.

The fascinating patterning of the marble is not as purposeful as you may think. The way each piece bends and curves into each other is actually a side effect of the stone’s expansion and contraction and has caused pieces of the facade to “pop-off” without notice.

How do you say “HEADS UP!” in Finnish?

At night it is illuminated with lights that may or may not change colors… I honestly don’t remember…

The interior of the building, much like the exterior, is classic Alvar Aalto. Warm materials and quiet spaces filled with daylighting strategies and custom luminaires. It is just as lovely as it is simple.

The auditorium seems very futuristic to me. Google it if you like, better pictures than the following exist.

For some reason, nothing is as futuristic as the pre-show lounge. This seems to me like a set out of Bladerunner.

RIGHT???

And, as stated earlier, the custom Aalto luminaires:

Interesting wayfinding details:

And tile, in both black and white:

Also, these interesting acoustic panels that look suspiciously like duck feet… What does it all mean?

When paired with a curved wall, the light from the suspended cans cast through the acoustic panels creates wave patterns across the walls.

Such a splendid building. You know you must visit it, so I won’t nag you.

GO VISIT IT.

I Lied… But if you aren’t into architecture, at least go to see these puny Christmas trees: