Holding the prestige of hosting greats—from Queen and Led Zepplin to Jimi Hendrix and many other legendary performers—the House of Culture or Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki, Finland places itself on the global map as a venue of noted significance. Not limited to its repertoire of performers, the project is a protected site under the Building Protection Act. Designed as a pro-bono project by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, the House of Culture was initially commissioned by the Finnish Communist Party as its headquarters and was owned by them until the bankruptcy of the party in the 1990s. Largely constructed by volunteers, the building has been both—a beloved centre for recreational activities and a display of political power during the active years of the Finnish Communist Party. The building is now owned by Helsingin Kulttuurihub—an organisation that aims to build sustainable, community-based cultural activities in Helsinki and is operated by ASM Global Finland. The popular concert venue was comprehensively revitalised during the fall of 2023 to make it functionally befitting for contemporary activities while retaining its cultural and historical significance. The refurbishment’s architectural design was led by Design Agency Fyra, while JKMM Architects were responsible for its interior design.

As British architectural theorist Malcolm Quantrill stated in his book Alvar Aalto - A Critical Study (1983), the House of Culture was the most important project that took shape in 1955. Its architectural significance is multi-faceted, from being the first exploration of a curvilinear form in wedge-shaped bricks that were specially designed to realise the complex curves of the edifice. Quantrill referred to the House of Culture as the ‘ultimate refinement of the brickwork experiments’ that Aalto undertook in his Muuratsalo Experimental House in 1953. But after the former’s completion in 1958, Aalto moved away from brick for most of his major buildings in the ‘60s.

“The primary emphasis of the restoration and renovation efforts for the public areas has been to establish a functional setting for events, all the while paying tribute to the cultural and historical significance of the protected building,” JKMM Architects stated in their press release. The protection of the building was not only limited to its architecture but also to its intended programming, which drove the brief for the restoration, refurbishment and modernisation of the project. ASM Global Finland aimed to secure the operating conditions for the intended activities while ‘broadening the venue’s appeal and transcending the traditional boundaries of genres’. The House of Culture was thus intended to host curated experiences and events—from large-scale concerts and corporate gatherings to electronic club nights.

The project’s most visible transformation comes through the revitalisation of the space called Alppisali, which was originally designed on the basement floor as a cinema. The space had undergone numerous renovations and stood dormant for years until it was repurposed as Kult, a black box-type DJ and live music club that can host over 300 to 500 patrons. After being out of use for years, the original brick foyer by Alvar Aalto and the entrance at the south end were integrated into the club. The Peilisal (mirror room), originally designed as a gym, was a versatile and intimate event space that also became a part of the club. The interiors of the restaurant and main lobby areas were renewed to accommodate large audiences. In its role as the principal designer, Fyra undertook the task of expanding the capacity of Aalto-sali (the auditorium). The expansion now enables the lower auditorium to function flexibly, accommodating both seated and standing audiences.

The House of Culture’s existing Ilmari Tapiovaara and Alvar Aalto furniture was restored, upholstered and reintroduced to be in alignment with the revamped spaces. The design team ensured flexibility in the ambience of the spaces to fit the nature of individual events without compromising the architectural design. This was achieved by upgrading the existing Aalto light fixtures and integrating them with RGBW LED bulbs to highlight the fine details of Aalto’s architecture. “Efforts were made to consider the special character, architectural expression and purpose of each space. Furthermore, the design concept incorporates visual elements linking the spaces together, which recur across the wall and ceiling surfaces of each area, as well as in the upholstery fabrics of the furniture, curtains and various furniture selections,” JKMM adds. The public spaces of the building, designed in collaboration between Helsingin Kulttuurihub, ASM Global Finland, Fyra and JKMM Architects, were upgraded with a subtle yet clear graphic treatment and material palette that respects the architecture as well as provide a contemporary appeal to the space. Additionally, the refurbishment works of the House of Culture were carried out in collaboration with the Finnish Heritage Agency and the Alvar Aalto Foundation.

The restoration architecture and revitalisation of the House of Culture were inspired by the building’s history, existing surfaces and contemporary youth culture—where, as expressed by JKMM, ‘personality is freely constructed by mixing styles and accessories from different eras, crossing gender and generational boundaries.’ The project becomes another distinguished work in JKMM’s repertoire of heritage architecture, whose previous projects include the Amos Rex Museum and the Dance House in Helsinki.

Project Details

Name: House of Culture
Location: Helsinki, Finland 
Lead Design and Architecture: Design Agency Fyra
Interior Architecture: JKMM Architects
Area: 2650 sqm
Year of Completion: 2023