Töölö Sports Hall (former Expo Hall) · Finnish Architecture Navigator

Architect: Aarne Hytönen Risto-Veikko Luukkonen
Competition: 1933
Completion: 1935
Themes: Helsinki built through competitions
Category: Assembly buildings
Tags: barrel-vault competition Modernism sports

Töölö Sports Hall, previously known as Messuhalli – or Expo Hall – was completed in 1935 as the result of an architectural competition organised by the Finnish Exhibition Cooperative in 1933. The designers of the winning proposal were architects Aarne Hytönen and Risto-Veikko Luukkonen.

Töölö Sports Hall is a significant example of modern architecture in Finland, with its most distinctive feature, the profile of the barrel-vaulted roof.

The first phase of construction, today known as Hall A, was the largest interior in Finland when completed. In 1947, Hall B was decided to be built on the same plot to have more expo space for the 1952 Summer Olympics. After the expo activities moved out in the mid-1970s, the building was dedicated to City of Helsinki sports activities.