Think Sheet III: Humanism In Finlandia Hall By Natasha Stewart

Think Sheet III – Humanism in Finlandia Hall By: Natasha Stewart Located in the center of Helsinki, Finlandia Hall was constructed in the 1970s following the plans of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The building was initially designed as a concert hall, but it is primarily used as a civic event venue today. Finlandia Hall continually brings together political leaders and members of the community for important conferences and discussions. From a humanist perspective, the building’s design is ideal for a civic event venue since it intertwines magnificence, accessibility, and practicality. Humanism is founded on the idea that all people deserve freedom and dignity, an idea that is jeopardized by elitism and exclusivity in public spaces. Architects across generations have learned to make public

The juxtaposition of this looming, white tower with Helsinki’s blue skyline creates an appropriately majestic effect. Nonetheless, Finlandia Hall is still welcoming to members of the public. Guests enter the building from the street, making it easily accessible. Unlike many important buildings, the architectural focal point is not the entrance. Finlandia Hall’s relatively plain and unembellished entrance is proportional to human scale, inviting visitors inside. These touches of modesty are important from a humanist perspective, especially in regards to the design of civic buildings that are meant to facilitate community involvement. Humanism also emphasizes rationalism and practicality, which manifest themselves as functionalism in architecture. Finlandia Hall also exemplifies this dimension of humanism. Many of the building’s artistic elements were actually designed with consideration to function. For instance, the inclined roof that rises over the tower, one of the characteristic features of Finlandia Hall, was intended to enhance the auditorium’s