Why Finland is Architecture's Hidden Gem

Jack Parrott
Nov 26, 2018
3 min read

Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland. Image: alvaaralto.fi

An Era Without a Name

The history of Finnish architecture, is one filled with external influence. Finland was a colony of Sweden until the early 19th century, when the control of Finland was transferred to Russia as a result of the Finnish war. Consequently, most of Finnish architecture pre-Finnish independence in 1917 is heavily influenced by the Swedish and Russians. However, that's not to say there is no significance to pre-20th century, as Finnish woodworking in the 17th and 18th century is recognized as some of the most complex and ornate of the time period. Consequently, colorful wood cottages and understated wooden churches have become synonymous with Finnish architecture. Nonetheless, Finland lacks the essence of maximalism that many European powers exhibited during the Renaissance era, rather they were gifted a more subdued form of renaissance architecture by the Swedes, a style that can be seen in many 18th century Finnish manors. Finnish architecture would take a major turn in the early 19th century, when Russian Czar Alexander I declared himself ruler of Finland, and he wanted to make his mark on the country. The Russian Czar trusted German architect, Carl Ludvil Engel to transform Helsinki into a neoclassical masterpiece. Engel would succeed in completing his task, however Finland would remain without a true architectural identity, as they continued to borrow styles from other major European powers.

A Man Named Alvar

After gaining independence in 1917, Finland would slowly, but surely, grow into their own architectural style. Finland would be early adopters to the brief lived movement of Nordic Classicism. Nordic Classicism was a combination of the simplicity of traditional nordic design and the opulence of neoclassical design. The popularity of Nordic Cassicism would give way to Finland's first own architectural style and world-renowned architect; Functionalism and Alvar Aalto. Through the style and the artist, Finnish architecture would at last, be born.

Alvar Aalto was born in 1898, when Finland was still a part of the Russian Empire. Following the Finnish independence, Aalto would obtain a degree in Architecture from the Technical Institute of Helsinki. Aalto received his break in 1927, when he was awarded the opportunity to design three city buildings for the Finnish government. Two of the three buildings he designed (an office building and a research facility) followed suit in his traditional design ethos; Extremely minimal, yet utterly functional. However, for one of the three buildings; the Vyborg library, Aalto decided to experiment with his design. He mixed modern design techniques, with classic Finnish woodworking techniques to create an incredibly unique and revolutionary way of making a building in a tasteful, yet functional way. As a result of the Vyborg Library, Functionalism was born. With his first three buildings, Aalto had succeeded in giving Finland a brand of Architecture they could call their own.

Aalto would continue to design world renown buildings for decades after the Vyborg library. He would design for world's fairs, construct residential buildings and create landmarks outside of his native Finland. However, the buildings that represent the pinnacle of his abilities are in Finland. Those buildings are Finlandia Hall, and Säynätsalo Town Hall. Both buildings perfectly represent Aalto's design ethos, of re-imagining the simplistic nature of classic Finnish houses through the medium of function design.