Architect
JKMM Architects ILO Architects
Completion
2022
Gross area
7000 m²
Themes
Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2023
Category
Assembly buildings
Tags
culture dance industry OpenhouseHelsinki23
Prizes
Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2023 nominee

Nokia’s former cable factory in Ruoholahti has been in cultural use for 30 years already. Today, the Cable Factory is a centre for artists, galleries, museums and events, including various professional and recreational dance groups. 

The Dance House Helsinki is the first extension in the Cable Factory’s history, and a balance has been sought between the users and the building respecting the industrial history of the building, while at the same time providing flexible opportunities for a wide range of activities.

Two architectural offices: ILO architects, led by Pia Ilonen and JKMM Architects headed by Teemu Kurkela formed the design consortium of the project. Ilonen and Kurkela and their design teams researched alternative placement locations and implementation models. In the end, it was decided to reuse the factory’s former heating plant and to build the new part next to it. The external financier’s requirement of a new building also contributed to this decision. 

The building’s frontage stands out from its surroundings. The facades’ marine-grade aluminium circles, which may have been inspired by a dancer’s lace tutu, convey the message that this is a public building. The corten steel and acid-resistant steel surfaces implemented using an innovative fastening technique elevate the exterior architecture of the new section to an international level.The room programme for Dance House Helsinki is simple with two different-sized halls, one of which is a full-scale theatre auditorium with a side stage, and another smaller one. The main entrance leads into a glass-covered internal courtyard, creating a hub for all the various functions of the Cable Factory.

Source: Finnish Architectural Review 5/2022, Esa Laaksonen’s review

Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2023 Pre-Selection Jury report:

When Dance House Helsinki opened its doors in February 2022, the moment marked the conclusion of many decades of persistent effort. The venue is the first ever event and performance space dedicated to the dancing arts in Finland but, given the scarcity of similar purpose-built venues elsewhere, it is also unique internationally.

Dance House Helsinki has been built as an extension to the eastern end of the city’s Cable Factory cultural centre, with some of its facilities based within the former factory building itself. Designed by W G Palmqvist and built between 1939 and 1954, the Cable Factory remained for many years the largest building in Finland. To this day, it is the country’s largest cultural venue.

The Cable Factory’s vast and soaring Glass Courtyard, created by glazing in a section of the adjacent outdoor area, serves as Dance House Helsinki’s entrance and foyer. The Glass Courtyard is also a social space for the Cable Factory as a whole and additionally provides access to the museums that are based here.

Dance House Helsinki comprises two black box theatres complete with state-of-the-art performance equipment. The 700-seater Erkko Hall, situated in the newly built extension, has steep seating offering unimpeded views of an unelevated stage. The 235-seater Pannu Hall takes its name from the boiler that was once housed here. Its use as a theatre predates Dance House Helsinki. The venue also features offices, social and rehearsal spaces for performers and a restaurant complete with kitchen and dining area.

Viewed from the outside, Dance House Helsinki gives the impression of an enormous piece of industrial machinery that has been added to the side of this historic manufacturing facility. In contrast with the Cable Factory’s brick facades, Dance House Helsinki is clad in metal throughout. Two of the elevations have been installed with suspended cladding, one featuring reflective and the other pre-rusted steel. The remaining elevations are covered with aluminium discs that come together to create a rhythmical visual pattern. The interiors have a pared-down, minimalist aesthetic, featuring untreated timber cast concrete surfaces, self-rusting steel and a colour scheme dominated by greys and blacks. Expanses of existing brick and concrete have been left visible as a reminder of the building’s industrial heritage.

Dance House Helsinki succeeds in offering an excellent setting for the dancing arts. The building in its entirety is the work of two architectural practices, JMKK Arkkitehdit and ILO Arkkitehdit.

Location

Kaapeliaukio 3, Helsinki
60.1620517, 24.903966

Images

Dance House Helsinki
Dance House Helsinki (© Hannu Rytky)
Dance House Helsinki
Dance House Helsinki (© Hannu Rytky)
Dance House Helsinki
Dance House Helsinki (© Marc Goodwin)
Lobby, Dance House Helsinki
Lobby, Dance House Helsinki (© Peter Vuorenrinne)
Lounge, Dance House Helsinki
Lounge, Dance House Helsinki (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Stage, Dance House Helsinki
Stage, Dance House Helsinki (© Paavo Foley)
Performance area, Dance House Helsinki
Performance area, Dance House Helsinki (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Stage seating, Dance House Helsinki
Stage seating, Dance House Helsinki (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Stage production area, Dance House Helsinki
Stage production area, Dance House Helsinki (© Hannu Rytky)
Bathroom, Dance House Helsinki
Bathroom, Dance House Helsinki (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
1st floor, Dance House Helsinki
1st floor, Dance House Helsinki (© JKMM Architects)
Ground floor, Dance House Helsinki
Ground floor, Dance House Helsinki (© Paavo Foley)
Cross section, Dance House Helsinki
Cross section, Dance House Helsinki (© JKMM Architects)
Ground floor, Dance House Helsinki
Ground floor, Dance House Helsinki (© JKMM Architects)
Basement, Dance House Helsinki
Basement, Dance House Helsinki (© JKMM Architects)
5th floor, Dance House Helsinki
5th floor, Dance House Helsinki (© JKMM Architects)

More projects by authors

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Tammela Stadium

  • Tampere
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Chappe Art Museum

  • Tammisaari, Raasepori
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Academy of Fine Arts, Mylly

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kirkkonummi Main Library Fyyri

  • Kirkkonummi
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kalasatama Campus, K-kampus

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Toukoranta Housing

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Turku Main Library

  • Turku
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kalasatama School and Daycare Centre

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Amos Rex and Lasipalatsi

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Think Corner

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Aalto University Harald Herlin Learning Centre

  • Espoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

OP Headquarters

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Seinäjoki City Library Apila

  • Seinäjoki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Saunalahti Day-Care Centre

  • Espoo

Nearby projects

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

HTC High Tech Centre

  • 100 m
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Helsinki Court of Appeal

  • 200 m
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Varma Office

  • 500 m