A rare sight in Helsinki: new Art Nouveau-style houses on the seafront

The observational picture shows new classical style houses that are going up in Helsinki's Koirasaari. The sea can be seen in the foreground. — Art Nouveau-style apartment buildings are being built in Koirasaari, Helsinki. More buildings in a similar classical style are wanted, according to the Architectural Guild and feedback from the City of Helsinki. A view of Koirasare.

A classic building style is more pleasing to the eye than a prefabricated house, critics say. But experts say it’s the money that counts.

Which is more pleasing to the eye: a modern, angular and boxy building or an old, classic and ornate building?

There is an architectural rebellion in Finland that claims the answer is the latter.

For example, in Koirasaari, south-west of Laajasalo in Helsinki, a four-building block of apartment blocks will soon be built in the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century.

The apartment buildings will have curved shapes, plastered walls, higher room heights, spacious stairwells and partially gable roofs. An example has been sought from the Katajanokanranta apartment buildings.

Construction work on the seaside plot will start in February.

– Koirasaari is a significant positive precedent that the box monopoly is about to break, says Uotila.

The observation picture shows apartment buildings in the old classical style. — The current building plan for Koirasari requires that future buildings in the Koirasari area will follow the same massing and colour scheme as the houses now entering production.

The number of members of the architectural rebellion, now almost 18,000, has grown by about five thousand in a couple of years.

The business is international. According to Uotila’s estimate, the various Architectural Uprising groups on social media have more than half a million members.

Boxes do not please the rebels

According to Uotila, studies from, among other things, a Norwegian university show that the old, classic facade style from around the 1880s to the 1930s pleases \”the eye of an ordinary citizen more than dull boxes\”.

The feedback received by the city of Helsinki also says the same. The classic facade gets support from the townspeople, the element style less so, Helsinki’s urban environment tells Yle.

However, the perception of beauty is different if you ask architects, Uotila claims. He refers to a Swedish dissertation study.

– The opinions of the townspeople have been overshadowed by these professionals. We are powerless in the face of what is being built for us.

Many people are looking for a classic style

According to Huttunen, many construction companies emphasize the efficiency of construction, which leads to small common spaces and lower floor heights.

– Classic style also costs a little more than modern.

Map of Helsinki with Koirasaari marked. — Koirasaari is located in the southwestern part of Helsinki’s Laajasalo, south of Kruunuvuorenranta.

Initially, modern brick apartment buildings were to be built on Koirasaari. However, the client of the work and the owner of the plot, the Keele company, wanted an art nouveau style, so it applied for and received a plan change for the area.

The planning work was done together with the city.

Now all the houses on Koirasaari beach will follow the same design language in the future.

Association of Finnish Architects: Koirasaari is an exception

According to Takala, construction, including facades, is guided by the goal of affordable housing. Supply meets demand.

– Housing production is often done through large listed companies. That’s where the euros decide.

Sometimes a rich facade is included in the plans, but it is eliminated in the final phase when the construction cost estimates are exceeded, says Takala.

The box style also has its supporters, he reminds.

Jugend-style buildings on Helsinki's Katajanokka Luotsikatu. — According to Asko Takala, chairman of Safa, the classic style is sometimes at odds with consumer preferences. For example, consumers want large glazed balconies, which do not usually fit in with the Art Nouveau style. The photo shows Art Nouveau-style houses on Luotsikatu in Katajanokka, Helsinki.

According to Takala, the townspeople have two good ways to influence the facades of future houses in the city.

– Become a housing developer or vote for a person in the municipal elections whose preferences and environmental goals match yours.

*Edited on January 14, 2025 at 7:55 p.m.: Koirasaari is located in the southwest part of Laajasalo, not in the northwest part, as it was previously written in the story.*