Arkkitehdit NRT’s restoration of Alvar Aalto’s Helsinki landmark, Finlandia Hall, combines architectural heritage with new public spaces, offering a revitalised venue for events, dining, and design.
Finnish studio Arkkitehdit NRT has completed a comprehensive renovation of Finlandia Hall, Alvar Aalto’s iconic concert venue on the banks of Töölönlahti Bay in Helsinki. After three years of work, the build reopened on 4 January 2025 offering expanded facilities and a renewed purpose as a destination for both local residents and visitors.
First completed in 1971, Finlandia Hall was originally designed as a venue for concerts, congresses, and cultural events. The recent refurbishment updates its functionality while respecting the spirit of Aalto’s original vision. Led by Helsinki-based Arkkitehdit NRT, the scheme included extensive upgrades to the building’s interiors and facades, ensuring compatibility with contemporary technology while maintaining the integrity of Aalto’s design language. New interventions, such as the addition of public terraces, a bistro and a cafe and wine bar, have been sensitively integrated to enhance the user experience without compromising the architectural character.
The new Finlandia ‘Cafe&Wine’ looks out over the landscape beyond.
One of the renovation’s key aspects was the restoration of Finlandia Hall’s white marble cladding, which had suffered from weathering over the decades. Aalto’s interiors, defined by their intricate detailing and use of natural materials, have also been carefully preserved and, where necessary, restored.
‘Finlandia Bistro’, the building’s first à la carte restaurant, draws inspiration from Aalto’s love of Italy, with a menu and material palette that reflect his admiration for Mediterranean culture. Here, furniture has been sourced from Artek and complements the space’s mid-century modern character, while large windows frame views of Töölönlahti Bay.
Finlandia Bistro.
Adjacent to the bistro, a wine café serves seasonal pastries and carefully selected wines, inviting visitors to linger on the newly opened terrace — a first for the building — and enjoy vistas of Helsinki’s city centre.
Adding to the hall’s appeal is a design shop celebrating Finnish craft. Stocking items from local brands and iconic Aalto designs, the shop serves as a hub for enthusiasts of Finnish design and architecture. Beyond retail, Finlandia Hall introduces a unique accommodation offering: two apartments originally designed by Aalto for staff housing have been restored and made available for overnight stays. These spaces, adorned with mid-century artworks, provide a rare opportunity to experience such Finnish design in situ.
Apartments, complete with mid-century modern art and furniture, have been restored and can be booked by tourists for overnight stays.
A highlight of the restoration is the Finlandia Experience Exhibition, set to open in June 2025. This permanent installation will explore the creative legacies of Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto, looking into their architectural innovations and their lasting influence on modern design. Designed to be immersive, the exhibition will be educational resource and a cultural attraction, further solidifying Finlandia Hall’s status as a cornerstone of Helsinki’s cultural landscape.
Inside the restored Finlandia Hall itself.
By doubling its visitor capacity to 400,000 annually, the renewed Finlandia Hall aims to establish itself as a vibrant public space. The refurbishment also addressed the hall’s functionality as an event venue, with modern technology and enhanced acoustics ensuring that Finlandia Hall continues to accommodate a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale congresses and concerts. Flexible spaces and upgraded facilities cater to contemporary needs while retaining the versatility that has long defined the building’s operations.
The Finlandia Shop.
