MODERNIST ARCHITECTS
The 1950s were the “golden age” of Finnish architecture, leaving the handprints of the era’s most significant architects. Known as modernism, this era is characterized by its humanity and close relationship with nature.
Architects such as Alvar Aalto, Aarne Ervi, Viljo Revell, and Heikki and Kaija Siren were partly responsible for the design of the residential areas of Otaniemi and Tapiola. The garden city built in Tapiola in the 1950s and 1960s is considered one of the most significant achievements of Finnish architecture and urban planning.
Architect Kari Leppänen lived his childhood in Otaniemi and lived in the apartment buildings of Otalaakso and Otaranta designed by the Sirens. Otaniemi primary school was located in the Otahalli designed by Aalto, completed for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and Tapiola primary school in the Aarnivalkea primary school designed by the Sirens in 1957.
Human architecture that takes the surrounding nature into account ensured a safe growing environment especially for families with children. Teekkarikylä (Student Village), the Helsinki University of Technology, and Dipoli designed by Raili and Reima Pietilä, completed in 1966, partly created the framework for Otaniemi’s identity. The brick-clad student dormitories designed by the Sirens for Teekkarikylä, completed in 1951–1952, Servin Mökki, and the Otaniemi Chapel sensitively represent the human architecture of the 1950s and its close relationship with nature.
Architect Aarne Ervi won the design competition for the center of Tapiola in 1954 with his proposal “Don Hertzen’s Village.” His plan laid the foundation for Tapiola as an internationally known garden city where modern architecture, services, and nature seamlessly combine.
The planned facade modification project for the 1960s apartment building designed by Heikki and Kaija Siren, located in Otaranta, Tapiola, complements our renovation references regarding Finland’s most significant modernist architects.
Otaniemi and Tapiola as areas have experienced major changes over the past 50 years. Keilaniemi in Otaniemi has transformed from an undeveloped natural forest into an urban office building cluster, and the center of Tapiola into an unrecognizable cluster of commercial and service buildings.
It is all the more important to cherish protected heritage buildings by repairing them to their former glory. The historical value they contain is worth preserving.
Leppänen Architects’ renovation references of modernist architects:
Architect Alvar Aalto (03.02.1898–11.05.1976)
- Finlandia Hall (1967–1975), interior renovation
- Otaniemi shopping center (1960–1967), interior renovation
Architect Viljo Revell (25.01.1910–08.11.1964)
- Didrichsen Art Museum (1957–1965), renovation and extension
- As Oy Nelostorni (1960–1962), “Flask House” spatial modification SAUNA
- As Oy Puuskaniementie 46 (1953–1954), apartment renovation
Architect Erik Bryggman (07.02.1891–21.12.1955)
- Honkanummi Chapel (1954–1956), renovation
Architects Heikki and Kaija Siren (05.10.1918–25.02.2013 / 23.10.1920–15.01.2001)
- As Oy Itäranta 3 (1960–1962), facade modification
Architect Kaarlo Borg (17.08.1888–09.01.1939)
- As Oy Bulevardinpuisto (1938–1939), facade renovation
Architect Aarne Ervi (19.05.1910–26.09.1977)
- Tapiola shopping center (1958–1959), interior and exterior renovation
