renovation of the clock tower at Helsinki railway station - Copper ...

Façades
The massing of the building is based on the winning
entry in the competition. Helsinki Music Centre is located
in the joint area of the rectangular Parliament
House and the more free-form Etu-Töölö area, and
this is reflected in its coordinate system. The façade
materials of the building are copper and glass.
The detailing of the copper cladding on the façade
is built on small-scale abstract patterning based on
a vertical rhythm. The patterning has been designed
separately for each façade panel, but in line with the
general design of the façade in question.
The vertical patterning consists of patinated copper
cladding, while a perforated surface is used as the
background for the pattern. The patterning has been
implemented with great care.
The colour of the patinated copper cladding is soft
bluish green. On macro scale the general appearance
of the copper surface is light and it also varies according
to sunlight and the direction of light.
The façades have primarily been realised with
pre-patinated 1.5 mm copper sheeting, each sheet
patterned separately with a compression technique
before erection. The sheets are attached on the frame
using a composite installation technique.
Some areas of the composite façades, such as the
areas of ventilation openings, have been coated with
hand-patinated 3 mm massive copper panels.
The façades reflect a controlled impression, which
has been technically demanding to implement.
The glazing of the lobby areas of the Music Centre
was in most parts implemented as point-fixed glazing.
By Esko Miettinen, architect SAFA
HELSINKI MUSIC CENTRE
Architectural competition 1999-2000.
The winning entry “a mezza voce” was submitted
by LPR Architects
Actual development decision in 2008
Architectural design
Marko Kivistö, Ola Laiho, Mikko Pulkkinen, Architects SAFA
Acoustic design
Nagata Acoustics, Yasuhisa Toyota
Structural design
Vahanen Oy, Matti Ollila
Floor area 36000 m2 Volume 25000 m3 - main hall 1700m2 - five small concert halls with 140–400 seats
- artist and practice facilities for two symphony orchestras
- teaching facilities for Sibelius Academy
Main contractor
SRV Viitoset
Façades
Teräselementti
Photos
Ola Laiho and Eark
32
COPPER ARCHITECTURE FORUM – 29/2010
A detail of the copper façade; the tower of the National Museum (Eliel Saarinen) is
reflected on the façade of the Music Centre.
Music Centre seen from Hakasalmi Villa (Helsinki City Museum).