Kunsthalle Helsinki to reopen after major refurbishment

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Taidehalli - the Kunsthalle Helsinki - is to reopen its doors to the public in Helsinki’s district of Etu-Töölö after a major renovation that has lasted 14 months.
      An exhibition entitled Arctic Hysteria is to open in the refurbished Kunsthalle on Nervanderinkatu 3 on August 21st.
      However, the public will have an opportunity to marvel at the empty Kunsthalle and its facilities already tomorrow, August 8th between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.
     
A large part of the renovation is hidden, as the new building technique has mainly been buried underground or below the floors of exhibition halls.
      One of the most visible changes is the annexe of Kunsthalle, stretching until the wall facing the annexe of the Parliament House.
      The expansion unit consists of 70 square metres of office and workshop premises, while its roof serves as a terrace for the second-floor exhibition space.
      As a result of the refurbishment, the total surface area of the Kunsthalle Helsinki increased by 480 square metres. The second-floor exhibition space has not been altered, but the small studio on the first floor gained six additional square metres.
      The lobbies and stairwells have been repainted to match the shades used in the original Kunsthalle. In addition, the location of the ticket counter has been changed, and a small shop has been built to replace the former cloakroom.
     
Attempts have been made to hide all technical necessities in the exhibition halls in order that they would not disturb visitors.
      Particularly considering the original appearance of the building, the most visible and most disturbing alterations include the panels installed on the ceiling of the sculpture hall with a stone floor. The panels contain the heating and cooling systems of the hall, and a number of height-adjustable lamps are hanging from them.
      As the designers did not want to remove the stone floor, these technical fixtures could not be placed under the floor. In all other halls the original wooden floor was replaced by new boards, under which all technical items could be buried.
     
The club at the Kunsthalle Helsinki has been converted into a small restaurant named Farang that serves Southeast Asian food. The bigger hall also houses a café for the public.
      Restaurant Farang and Taidehalli Café are owned by Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberk, who have both been working previously at the Michelin-starred Chez Dominique.
      The space adjacent to the restaurant - a former stockroom - will be opened as a private room for customers.
      The flooring of the restaurant has been replaced by a parquet that matches the original one, while the frescoes by Ellen Thesleff on the ceiling have also been restored. The chairs are part of the Kunsthalle’s original furniture.
     
The neoclassical Kunsthalle Helsinki turned 80 last year. The Kunsthalle was designed by Hilding Ekelund and Jarl Eklund.
      Previously, the building was renovated in 1979 according to the design of architect Kirmo Mikkola, while architect Severi Blomstedt was in charge when the facade of the building was repaired in 1993.
     
The building is owned by the Kunsthalle Helsinki Foundation, and it is protected in the town plan.
      The costs of the refurbishment were EUR 7 million, and the main funding for the renovation came from the City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Education.
     
     
Kunsthalle Naked is a unique event for the public in the empty Kunsthalle tomorrow on August 8th from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.


Links:
  Taidehalli - Kunsthalle Helsinki

Helsingin Sanomat