Fresh from the biggest renovation in its 53-year history, Alvar Aalto’s landmark congress centre and concert venue has emerged brighter and more accessible. The rebooted Finlandia Hall overlooks another recently overhauled Helsinki attraction — Töölönlahti Park — but the updates made throughout the building also prompt visitors to look back on design history. Here, Teemu Tuomi of Helsinki-based Architects NRT, who oversaw the project’s renovation, charts the evolution of a modern masterpiece.

Aalto’s section drawing of Finlandia Hall’s performance space (also shown, post-reno, at the top of the page). Photo courtesy of the Alvar Aalto Foundation

1971

Back when Finlandia Hall first opened, its surroundings were...

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