Sibelius Hall
Lahti, Finland
Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architects

A well-made wooden vessel on the waterfront, encased in glass

© Studio Voitto Niemelä

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By Peter MacKeith

This handsome composition juxtaposes a rehabilitated 1907 brick factory building and two new glass-sheathed boxes that enclose intricate wood space frames. Quietly monumental, the new hall is already regarded as the premier musical performance space in Finland and caps a concerted effort to revitalize the once downtrodden waterfront district.

The 1997 design competition for a Lahti congress and concert hall set forth goals of architectural quality, acoustical excellence, innovation in wood construction, and civic presence. New York acoustician Russell Johnson of Artec Consultants was retained by the city to ensure the acoustical viability of entries; the firm later expanded its role as a project consultant.

Tikka and Lintula’s design was awarded first prize on all counts. The architects realized early on that relying upon the aging brick factory building alone to house a world-class concert hall was not feasible. Instead, their plan places arrival, support, and public spaces in the more cellular masonry structure. The symphony chamber was conceived as a new, distinct volume on the lakefront, a well-made wooden vessel encased within a glass vitrine. Joining the old and new is a grand public foyer, the glass-enclosed Forest Hall, dominated by a grid of towering laminated-wood columns that support a dramatic canopy of splayed "branches." Two additional wings support backstage functions and conference areas.

The architectural composition enhances the cityscape: The harborfront has gained a striking and symbolic anchor. Not every elevation is engaging, however, as the necessities of backstage service are exposed to the general line of entry through a parking lot. The former factory structure does possess a new dignity, acting as the primary entrance into the entire complex.

See the July 2001 issue of Architectural Record for full coverage of this project.

Formal name of building:
Sibelius Hall

Location:
Lahti, Finland

Gross square footage:
142,300 sq ft

Total construction cost:
$20 million

Owner:
Lahden kaupunki , city of Lahti

Architect's firm:
Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architects