johan albrecht ehrenström, final city plan helsinki (1817).
the cornerstone of finland state laid in 1809 @ diet of porvoo, czar alexander proclaimed himself constitutional ruler of new grand duchy of finland , promised maintain faith , laws of land. creation of capital clear indication of czar s make new grand duchy functioning entity. on april 8, 1812 alexander declared helsinki capital of grand duchy of finland. @ time helsinki small wooden town of 4000 inhabitants, albeit huge island fortress of sveaborg , military garrison nearby. czar appointed military engineer johan albrecht ehrenström, former courtier of sweden s king gustavus iii, head of reconstruction committee, task of drawing plan new stone-built capital. heart of scheme senate square, surrounded neoclassical buildings state, church , university. in words of art historian riitta nikula, ehrenström created symbolic heart of grand duchy of finland, main institutions had exact place dictated function in hierarchy.
in fact, before ceding of finland russia in 1809, advent of neoclassicism in mid-18th century arrived french artist-architect louis jean desprez, employed swedish state, , designed hämeenlinna church in 1799. charles (carlo) bassi foreigner, italian-born architect employed swedish state, worked in design of churches. bassi immigrated finland , became first formally skilled architect settle permanently in finland. in 1810 bassi appointed first head of national board of building (rakennushallitus - government post remained until 1995), based in turku, position held until 1824. bassi remained in finland after power on country ceded russia. in 1824 official position head of national board of building taken immigrant architect, german-born carl ludvig engel.
with move of finnish capital turku helsinki, engel had been appointed czar alexander design major new public buildings fitted ehrenström s town plan: these included major buildings around senate square; senate church, helsinki university buildings - including engel s finest interior, helsinki university library (1836–45) - , government buildings. these buildings designed following dominant architectural style of russian capital, st. petersburg, namely neoclassicism - making helsinki termed st. petersburg in miniature, , indeed ehrenström s plan had included canal, mimicking cityscape feature of former.
helsinki senate square, designed carl ludwig engel. left: helsinki university main building, senate church, palace of council of state
in addition work in helsinki, engel appointed state intendant responsibility design , supervision of construction of vast majority of state buildings throughout country, including tens of church designs, design , laying out of town plans. among these works helsinki naval barracks (1816–38), helsinki old church (1826), lapua church (1827), kärsämäki church (1828), pori town hall (1831), hamina church (1843), wiurila manor house (1845).
engel had in possession copy of andrea palladio s architectural treatise quattro libri dell architettura, , engel scholars have stressed engels indebtedness palladian theory. engel kept correspondence colleagues germany , followed trends there. engel s relationship key prussian architect karl friedrich schinkel, 3 years senior , both having studied @ bauakademie in berlin, has yet verified. influences central europe take on board more formulaic process, typified standardisations of design formulas in post-revolutionary france jean-nicolas-louis durand, instance use of design grids.
some of engel s later works characterised turn in central europe gothic revival architecture, emphasis on red brick facades typical central europe. german church (1864) typical of period, though designed 2 itinerant architects, german harald julius von bosse (who had worked in st. petersburg) , swedish-born carl johan von heideken. in addition churches, neo-gothic style dominant buildings of growing industrial manufacturers, including verla mill in jaala (1892) - nowadays world heritage site - designed edward dippel. emergence of various revivalist styles throughout europe - in search new national style - felt in finland, not flourish until advent of jugendstil @ end of century; argument made influence in finland of neo-romanesque or rundbogenstil germany, particularly associated heinrich hübsch. example, rundbogenstil features have been noted in kerimäki church (1847) - world s largest wooden church - designed adolf fredrik granstedt, considerable input master builders project axel tolpo , son th. j. tolpo.
the eclectic mixtures of neo-gothic, neo-romanesque, neo-classical , neo-renaissance architecture continued during beginning of 20th century, architects using different styles different projects or combining elements in same work. turku main library, karl august wrede, completed in 1903, designed in dutch late renaissance style imitating house of nobility of 1660 designed french architect simon de la vallée. swedish architect georg theodor von chiewitz had successful career in home country before arriving in finland in 1851, fleeing prison sentence in sweden following bankruptcy, , established career himself, being named county architect turku , pori in 1852. among varied works, designed new baroque-style town plans towns of pori (1852), maarianhamina (Åland islands) (1859) , nystad (1856), english-style romantic landscape park seinäjoki (1858), neo-gothic churches lovisa (1865) , nystad (1864), rundbogenstil-neo-gothic lovisa town hall , house of nobility in helsinki (1862), neo-renaissance nya teatern, helsinki (1853, burnt down 1863) redbrick factory buildings in littoinen, turku, forssa , tampere , various rustic villas private clients. similar eclecticism continued 1 of chiewitz s employees, theodor höijer (1843-1910), went on establish 1 of commercially successful private architecture firms in helsinki, designing tens of buildings in helsinki, schools, librarys , several apartment blocks. 1 of famous works, redbrick erottaja fire station, helsinki (1891) seen mixture of neo-gothic , neo-renaissance styles modelled on giotto s campanile in florence , tower of medieval palazzo vecchio in florence.
however, question of stylistic revival in finland has important cultural-political aspect, presence of russian empire through building of russian orthodox churches in second half of 19th century - though regarded initiation of deliberate politico-cultural policy of russification of finland didn t take place until reign of czar nicholas ii, 1899 onward. initially, in russian capital, st. petersburg, russian orthodox churches designed in prevailing neoclassical style; however, latter half of 19th century saw emergence of russian revival architecture , byzantine revival architecture - part of interest in russia in finland , elsewhere in europe of exploring nationalism - distinct onion domes , tented roofs , rich decoration. several such churches built in finland, vast majority in eastern half of country, notable examples in tampere, kuopio, viinijärvi , kouvola. example, sveaborg church (1854) in fortress off coast of helsinki, designed moscow-based architect konstantin thon, same architect designed, among other key buildings, cathedral of christ saviour, grand kremlin palace , kremlin armoury in moscow. presence of orthodox church in heart of helsinki made clear placement of uspenski cathedral (1868) on prominent hill overlooking city; architect, aleksey gornostayev 1 of pioneers of russian revival architecture, credited rebirth of traditional tented roof architecture of northern russia, prominent feature in uspenski cathedral.
this period marked establishment of first architecture courses in finland, , in 1879 these began @ polytechnical institute in helsinki, though @ first german or german-educated teachers. other finns went abroad various periods of time study. in fact, jacob rijf (1753-1808) noted first finn have studied architecture @ royal swedish academy of arts in stockholm in 1783-84, though rare exception. became notable designer of churches throughout finland, including hyrynsalmi church (1786) , oravais church (1797). 1 hundred years later still quite rare; e.g. notable revivalist-style architect karl august wrede studied architecture in dresden, , theodor höijer @ royal swedish academy of arts in stockholm. also, gustaf nyström studied both architecture , town planning in vienna in 1878-79. buildings typical of eclecticism of time, designing in both gothic revival style , so-called neo-renaissance style of classicism, heavy ornamentation heavy use of colour in interiors in facades, instance house of estates, helsinki (1891). semi-circular rotonda (1902–07), gustaf nyström s design extension c.l. engel s neoclassical helsinki university library (1845), demonstrates both outwardly stylistic continuity original - albeit pilasters have not classical capitals reliefs, made sculptor walter runeberg, personifying sciences - whilst employing modern techniques in art nouveau interior: semicircular 6-storey extension comprises large light-well surrounded radially placed bookshelves. due stringent fire-safety requirements, extension has framework of steel , reinforced concrete, reinforced concrete stairs, iron construction supporting large glazed roof , metal windows. after graduating @ polytechnical institute, usko nyström (no relation) had continued studies @ École des beaux-arts in paris in 1890-91; on returning finland designed (from 1895 1908 in partnership usko nyström-petrelius-penttilä) neo-renaissance architecture - in particular gaining growth area of building speculation in middle-class apartment buildings in helsinki - whilst developing more jugendstil style inspired national romanticism, , politically pro-independence fennoman movement. usko nyström s chief work, grand hôtel cascade, imatra (1903) (nowadays called imatran valtionhotelli), key jugendstil style building; wilderness hotel , built next impressive imatra rapids (the biggest in finland), intended wealthy tourists russian imperial capital of saint petersburg, while architectural style inspired finnish national romanticism, whilst taking inspiration partly medieval , neo-renaissance french châteaux usko nyström had seen during time in france.
late grand duchy period: jugend
at end of 19th century finland continued enjoy greater independence under russia grand duchy; however, change coming power of czar nicholas ii in 1894, introduced greater process of russification . reaction among bourgeois classes evident, too, in arts, instance in music of jean sibelius , artist akseli gallén-kallela - in architecture. finnish architects club founded in 1892 within swedish-speaking engineering society (tekniska föreningen). loose forum collaboration , discussion, voluntary basis meant operated informally in cafés , restaurants. in way resembled many of writers’ or artists’ clubs of time , fostered collegial spirit of solidarity. helped establish architect artist responsible aesthetic decisions. in 1903, supplement engineering publication, club published first issue of arkitekten (‘the architect’ in swedish, predominant language still in use @ time among professional classes , architects).
in 1889 artist albert edelfelt depicted national awakening in poster showing mme paris receiving finland, damsel, alights model of st nicholas church (later helsinki cathedral) on hat; parcels in boat marked eu (i.e. exposition universelle). distinct symbolic importance given in 1900 finland receiving own pavilion @ paris world expo, designed young architects herman gesellius, armas lindgren , eliel saarinen in so-called jugendstil style (or art nouveau) popular in central europe. finnish pavilion received european press , critics, albeit tying building closely finland s cultural-political circumstances. example, german art historian , critic julius meier-graefe wrote of pavilion: peripheries... mention extremely effective finnish pavilion, extremely simple , modern design ... character of country , people , strong conditioning of artists decorative reflected in building in pleasant way. .
the jugendstil style in finland characterised flowing lines , incorporation of nationalistic-mythyological symbols - taken national epic, kalevala - taken nature , medieval architecture, contemporary sources elsewhere in europe , usa (e.g. h.h. richardson , shingle style). more prominent buildings of national romantic style built in stone, discovery in finland of deposits of soapstone, carved metamorphic rock, overcame difficulty of using hard granite; example of facade of pohjola insurance building, helsinki (1901) gesellius, lindgren, , saarinen. jugendstil style became associated in finland fight national independence. importance of nationalism made evident in actual surveying of finnish vernacular buildings: architecture students @ time - @ finland s school of architecture, in helsinki - became acquainted finnish building heritage measuring , drawing it. 1910s onwards, in addition large medieval castles , churches 17th , 18th century wooden churches , neoclassical wooden towns surveyed - practice continues in finnish schools of architecture today. jugendstil style used gesellius, lindgren, , saarinen in key state buildings such national museum , helsinki railway station. other architects employing same style lars sonck , wivi lönn, 1 of first female architects in finland.
töölö competition drawing, helsinki, lars sonck, 1899.
detail of model of munkkiniemi-haaga town plan, helsinki, eliel saarinen, 1915.
even @ height of jugendstil style, there opponents criticised stagnant tastes , mythological approaches whereby jugendstil becoming institutionalised. well-known opponents architect-critics sigurd frosterus , gustaf strengel. frosterus had worked briefly in office of belgian-born architect henry van de velde in weimar in 1903, , @ same time strengel worked in london @ office of architect charles harrison townsend. critique partly inspired results 1904 competition design helsinki railway station, won eliel saarinen. in jury report, architecture of frosterus s entry described imported . same year frosterus entered competition vyborg railway station, saarinen again won. frosterus strict rationalist wanted develop architecture towards scientific ideals, instead of historical approach of jugendstil. in frosterus s own words: want iron , brain style railway stations , exhibition buildings; want iron , brain style stores, theatres , concert halls. according him, architect had analyse tasks of construction in order able logically justify solutions, , must take advantage of possibilities of latest technology. particular challenge of time reinforced concrete. frosterus considered buildings of modern metropolis should constructivist in expressing purpose , technology honestly. designed number of private residences, made major breakthrough in 1916, gaining second prize in competition stockmann department store in heart of helsinki. commissioned realise building, completed after finland gained independence, in 1930. misleading see jugendstil style wholly opposed classicism; frosterus s own works combined elements of both. key example kalevakangas cemetery chapel in tampere, designed wäinö gustaf palmqvist , einar sjöström; had won architectural competition project in 1911, , completed in 1913. while containing many of decorative elements familiar jugendstil, overall form borrows key classical model, pantheon in rome.
another point of debate @ time of merits of urbanism. again, of importance here opposing views abroad, namely picturesque theories of town planning proposed viennese city planner camillo sitte, put forward in influential book city planning according artistic principles (1889) , opposing classical-rational urbanism point of view proposed in vienna otto wagner, heavily influenced parisian model - under directorship of baron haussmann 1858 1870 - of driving wide boulevards through old labyrinthine city intent of modernising traffic , waste management, enabling greater social control of population. debate came head in finland in first ever town planning design competition in 1898-1900 töölö district of helsinki. 3 entries lifted out recognition; first prize gustaf nyström (together engineer herman norrmén), second prize lars sonck, , third prize joint entry sonck, bertil jung , valter thomé. nyström s scheme represented classicism wide main streets , imposing public buildings arranged in symmetrical axial compositions, , other 2 in sittesque style, street network adapted rocky terrain , picturesque compositions. fantastic sketch accompanying sonck s competition entry gives indication of imagery aiming for, inspired travels in germany. historian pekka korvenmaa makes point leading theme creation of atmosphere of medieval urban environments - , sonck later designed similar proposal in 1904 rearrange immediate surroundings of st.michael s church in helsinki, numerous fantastic spired buildings. in töölö competition, undecided course of action take, however, city council asked prize-winners submit new proposals. when led further stalemate nyström , sonck commissioned work on final plan combining nyström s spacious street network , elements of sonck s sittesque details. final plan (1916) under direction of jung, made scheme more uniform, while architecture seen typical of nordic classicism style. typical street in plan of museokatu, tall lines of buildings in classical style along curving street line. still wider (24 metres) new tree-lined boulevard of helsinginkatu, driven through working-class district of kallio, first outlined in 1887 sonck, further input nyström, , completed in around 1923.
but more ambitious town plan töölö eliel saarinen s 2 plans helsinki, munkkiniemi-haaga plan of 1910-15 , pro-helsingfors plan of 1918. former city development of 170 000, equalled entire population of central helsinki @ time. scheme equally inspired parisian axiality of haussman, intimate residential squares of raymond unwin in english garden cities , large-scale apartment blocks of otto wagner in vienna. small fragments of scheme ever completed. later scheme, originated private land speculation rather public planning, involved expansion of central helsinki - included filling in töölö bay in centre of city - planning of smaller satellite communities - saarinen termed organic decentralization , again inspired british garden city principle - around edge of city. no aspects of latter scheme ever realised.
a major architectural-historical event emigration of eliel saarinen usa in 1923, after received second prize in chicago tribune tower competition of 1922. on moving usa, saarinen designed campus cranbrook academy of art (1928) in same architectural style, while architects in finland moved on more modernism.
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