The Aalto Centre (Finnish: Aalto-keskus) is an urban area milieu in the city of Rovaniemi, in the Finnish Lapland, designed by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, comprising the city's key administrative and cultural buildings.[1]
| Aalto Centre | |
|---|---|
Aalto-keskus | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Modernism |
| Town or city | Rovaniemi |
| Country | Finland |
| Coordinates | 66°29′49″N 25°43′23″E / 66.496941°N 25.722974°E |
| Construction started | 1960 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Alvar Aalto |
Background
editUp to 90% of Rovaniemi's building stock was destroyed during the Lapland War by the retreating German forces, necessitating the rebuilding of the city centre.[1][2] In January 1945, Rovaniemi commissioned a new urban design from the Finnish Association of Architects rebuilding unit, with the design work headed by Alvar Aalto.[2]
Aalto's eventual design, approved in 1946, is called Poronsarvikaava lit. 'Reindeer Antler Plan',[3] and incorporates five arterial roads forming the shape of a reindeer antler.[4][5] In 1960, when Rovaniemi was granted its city charter, the formal decision was made to implement Aalto's plan.[5]
At the centre of the design, the complex of Aalto-designed public and administrative buildings is known as 'Aalto Centre'.[5]
The complex has been designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).[5]
The Rovaniemi cityscape is one of two urban plans designed by Aalto which were eventually completed; the other being that in Seinäjoki.
Key buildings
editNotable Aalto-designed buildings in the centre include:
- Lappia Hall performing arts and conference venue (completed in stages, 1961-1975)[6]
- Central library (1965)[7]
- City hall (1986)[8]
The park surrounding the Aalto Centre also forms an integral part of the milieu.[9]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Aalto and the Post-war Rebuilding of Rovaniemi". AlvarAalto.fi. Alvar Aalto Foundation. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ a b Pohjola, Aleksi. "Alvar Aallon Rovaniemi". LapinYlioppilasLehti.fi (in Finnish). University of Lapland Student Union. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ "Alvar Aalto in Rovaniemi". Rovaniemi.fi. City of Rovaniemi. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Jälleenrakennuskaava (Rebuilding plan)". Rovaniemi.fi (in Finnish). City of Rovaniemi. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Rovaniemen hallinto- ja kulttuurikeskus (Rovaniemi administrative and cultural centre)". RKY.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Heritage Agency. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ "Lappia Hall in Rovaniemi". AlvarAalto.fi. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Architecture". Rovaniemi.fi. City of Rovaniemi. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Rovaniemi". AlvarAalto.fi. Alvar Aalto Foundation. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Lauantaiviera: Tapiolassa puisto on asukkaiden yhteinen olohuone" (in Finnish). Lapin Kansa. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
External links
edit- 'Alvar Aalto Rovaniemellä', City of Rovaniemi publication outlining Aalto's designs (in Finnish)
- 'Aalto and the Post-war Rebuilding of Rovaniemi', on Alvar Aalto Foundation website