Helsinki, one beautiful building at a time
A walk through Finland's capital uncovers whimsical facades, soaring railway stations and the architectural legacy of Eliel Saarinen, whose work transformed the cityscape.
Exploring Helsinki's architecture reveals whimsical facades and soaring railway stations that showcase the city's architectural legacy. Finland's capital, founded in 1550, has emerged as a relative newcomer compared to cities like Stockholm and Copenhagen. However, Helsinki boasts a lyrical cast with Art Nouveau influences that define its urban fabric.
Art Nouveau, which originated in Brussels during the early 1890s, took root in cities like Barcelona and Paris before making its mark on Helsinki with around 600 Jugendstil buildings. The city's unique architectural treasures offer a stage set of undulating towers, turrets, and idiosyncratic windows and doors.
One standout example is the 1901 Pohjola Insurance headquarters, Saarinen's third major project. The rugged stone structure with a pyramidal top and soapstone and granite walls is adorned with grotesque and hilarious goblins that guard its entrance. The building's striking features include a classic Saarinen touch, such as the four-story circular staircase and a jewel-toned skylight.
Pohjola's entrance is a testament to public engagement with art, as pedestrians sometimes deposit cigarette butts into the goblins' toothless smiles.
Another notable location is the Gothic Revival Architecture & Design Museum, located on the Esplanadi, a lively downtown park. The museum features two artfully designed shows, one on Alvar Aalto and another on Tove Jansson, the creator of the beloved Moomin characters. Nearby, the Katajanokka neighborhood provides opportunities for strolling through Art Nouveau buildings, parks, and the Allas pool complex with saunas and a seawater plunge.
Upon arriving at his hotel, Noli Studios Katajanokka, the reporter discovered three Saarinen apartment houses in his itinerary. The 1898 Tallberg House, the first Art Nouveau structure in Helsinki, set off a Jugendstil stampede among apartment buildings, resulting in smooth plaster walls in soft colors, such as sunny yellow, by 1914.
These apartment buildings replaced older wooden structures that gave way to a modern, industrialized look. Despite a scandal and divorce among Saarinen's partners, the innovative apartment houses continue to captivate visitors with their unique designs and historical significance.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
