Kulttuuritalo (Finnish: Kulttuuritalo, Swedish: Kulturhuset) is a building in Alppila, Helsinki, Finland. The building was designed by Alvar Aalto, and is considered to be one of his main works.

Kulttuuritalo
Map
General information
TypeCultural
Architectural styleModern
LocationAlppila, Helsinki, Finland
AddressSturenkatu 4
Coordinates60°11′18″N 024°56′39″E / 60.18833°N 24.94417°E / 60.18833; 24.94417
Current tenantsSodexo
Construction started1955
Completed1958
OwnerHelsingin Kulttuurihub Oy
Design and construction
Architect(s)Alvar Aalto
Other information
Seating capacity1452 + 2
Website
https://www.kulttuuritalo.fi/en/home/

The building

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The building combines a concert hall, an office building and a lecture-theatre block connecting the two. Uniting the whole, along the street frontage, is a 60-metre (200 ft) canopy.[1]

History

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Kulttuuritalo was originally built for Finnish Communist cultural organizations. Aalto designed the building pro bono and was given complete artistic freedom; the construction work was done largely by volunteers. Work began in 1955, and the building was opened in 1958.

The building was owned by the Communist Party by a nonprofit foundation until the 1990, when the bankruptcy of the Finnish Communist Party forced its sale.

Today its owned by the government owned Senate Properties. The building is protected by a decision made by the Finnish Council of State in 1989.

 
Jimi Hendrix performing at Kulttuuritalo on May 22, 1967

Notable artists who have played at the venue[2] include:

References

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  1. ^ "House of Culture Helsinki by Alvar Aalto". Galinsky.com. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki, Finland Concert Setlists | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  3. ^ "Duke Ellington Helsinki 5 Feb. 1963". ELLINGTON GALAXY. 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  4. ^ "Led Zeppelin | Official Website Kulttuuritalo - February 23, 1970". Led Zeppelin | Official Website - Official Website. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2024-05-03.

Further reading

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  • Karl Fleig, Alvar Aalto, (1974), ISBN 0-275-49660-0, p33. interior photo of auditorium, p32. exterior photo of entry canopy, p31.
  • Peter Gossel and Gabrile Leuthauser, Architecture in the Twentieth Century, (1991), ISBN 3-8228-0550-5, exterior photo of wall, p243.
  • Malcolm Quantrill, Alvar Aalto: A Critical Study, (1983), ISBN 0-8052-3845-X, exterior color photo of roof and brick detail, fig VIII.
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