vi a servi ce - Finavia

Eliel Saarinen was among the most famous
European architects of his time, whose status
in the foundation of American Art Deco
and modernism is indisputable. Finnish-
American Eero is generally regarded as one
of American modernism’s leading figures.
34 V I A HELSINKI
TEXT MINNA KALAjoKI PHOTOS WIKIMEDIA
Their architectural saga began in the Katajanokka
district of Helsinki, with the Tallberg building,
which Eliel Saarinen and his fellow students de-
signed, while still only about twenty years old, in
1898. It is still in superb condition. Many other Art Nouveau
buildings in the neighbourhood are also the work of the Saarin-
en, Gesellius & Lindgren firm of architects. Lucky indeed are
the residents of such places.
To end the story we could turn our eyes upwards to the top
of the 38 storey CBS Building in Manhattan, New York, which
remains as the last work designed by Eero Saarinen, the great
name in American modernism.
Between these two buildings on two continents unfolds the
story of the Saarinen design family. Eliel was among the most
famous European architects of his time, whose status in the
foundation of American Art Deco and modernism is indis-
putable. Finnish-American Eero is generally regarded as one
of American modernism’s leading figures.
How did the Saarinens end up in the United States? Hel-
sinki at the turn of the 20th century was fascinating enough.