Helsinki Music Centre

Helsinki Music Centre

Nordic Copper from Aurubis Finland as Nordic Green | Facades

The architects behind the competition entry for Helsinki Music Centre, ”a mezza voce”, were guided by the view that new development should enhance the integrity and calm general expression of the area. The building has been integrated in the coordinate system of its surroundings making two sides of the main mass of the building parallel with Finlandia Hall and the Parliament House, while the tallest part of the main mass continues on the level of the east wall surface of Karamzin Park. The tallest parts have also been located as close to the green zone as possible to continue the impression of public buildings in a park. The transparent glass side of the Music Centre displays the functions of the building and at the same time connects it with the newer buildings and newer architecture of the east part of the area. On the street sides the more solid, perforated copper cladding pre-patinated in green colour seeks to connect with the buildings of Etu-Töölö area and the green park volume.


The Parliament House is part of the square composition and the view from the stairs down towards the parks and further to the Parliament House is open. The inclined deck of the lower building part, treated like a park, descends towards south making space for the independent architecture of the Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma.


On Mannerheiminkatu Street level a pedestrian and bicycle road runs from the entrance square along a lawn plane towards Kiasma, while a path for pedestrians winds down to the event square on Töölönlahti level. The square has been designed for public outdoor concerts and similar events that can be watched from the inclined deck above. Events taking place inside the Music Centre as well as international music happenings can sometimes be shown on the video screen erected in the square.


Façades


The massing of the building is based on the winning entry in the competition. Helsinki Music Centre is located in the joint area of the rectangular Parliament House and the more free-form Etu-Töölö area, and this is reflected in its coordinate system. The façade materials of the building are copper and glass.


The detailing of the copper cladding on the façade is built on small-scale abstract patterning based on a vertical rhythm. The patterning has been designed separately for each façade panel, but in line with the general design of the façade in question.


The vertical patterning consists of patinated copper cladding, while a perforated surface is used as the background for the pattern. The patterning has been implemented with great care.


The colour of the patinated copper cladding is soft bluish green. On macro scale the general appearance of the copper surface is light and it also varies according to sunlight and the direction of light.


The façades have primarily been realised with pre-patinated 1.5 mm copper sheeting, each sheet patterned separately with a compression technique before erection. The sheets are attached on the frame using a composite installation technique.


Some areas of the composite façades, such as the areas of ventilation openings, have been coated with hand-patinated 3 mm massive copper panels.


The façades reflect a controlled impression, which has been technically demanding to implement.


The glazing of the lobby areas of the Music Centre was in most parts implemented as point-fixed glazing.

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More