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.

Extract from Esa Laaksonen’s review: https://www.ark.fi/en/2022/05/techno-and-coarseness/