Details
The new section of the Finnish National Theatre was transformed into a theatre for the future. SRV’s major refurbishment provided this culturally and historically significant property with modern facilities and new theatre technology, while extending its service life far into the future.
SRV carried out a major refurbishment of the Finnish National Theatre’s Small Stage and the connecting section built in the 1930s. In this culturally and historically significant project, we wanted to respect the existing building while updating the facilities and technology to meet the needs of theatre today.
We carried out the extensive major refurbishment using the key project alliance model in close cooperation with representatives of the Finnish National Theatre. The project included the refurbishment of the Small Stage, built in the 1950s, and the connecting section dating from the 1930s. Work was carried out across six floors, covering a total of 8,250 m² GFA.
A historic theatre renewed for the future
The aim of the refurbishment was to extend the building’s service life far into the future. At the same time, we wanted to respect the Finnish National Theatre’s architecture, cultural and historical significance and artistic spirit.
The Small Stage and its auditorium were refurbished, and two new performance spaces, Taivassali and Maalaamosali, were created. The project also provided rehearsal spaces, workspaces for the theatre’s support functions, logistics and technical facilities, as well as the new Willensauna café with performance stages.
One important aim was to better connect the different parts of the theatre block, which were built in different eras. Numerous level differences that had made the spaces difficult to use were removed, and functional workspaces with access to natural light were created for staff.
A demanding refurbishment in a historic setting
Construction work began in 2020 with demolition work in the section dating from the 1950s. Demolition work in the 1930s section began the following year, and the new facilities were brought into use for the autumn 2023 season in line with the client’s target.
The refurbishment required careful planning. The load-bearing structures of the 1930s section, which was originally intended as temporary storage space, were reinforced from the foundations to the roof. Modern building services and theatre technology were integrated into spaces that were effectively rebuilt within the existing shell.
The unusually thin load-bearing concrete structures of the protected building presented additional challenges, along with the associated load risks and the temporary supports required during demolition. Each phase of the work had to be carefully planned before it could begin.
Respecting the details
In a building of cultural and historical significance, the major refurbishment also involved careful restoration. Preserving the old and building the new went hand in hand, allowing the history of the spaces to remain visible.
For example, the end-grain wood block floor installed in Taivassali in 1954, when the space was used as a carpentry workshop, was carefully removed, restored and reinstalled.
A brick wall uncovered during the refurbishment was also left exposed in Taivassali. The wall had once formed part of the Kaisaniemi Park façade of the connecting section built in the 1930s.
Facilities for the theatre of the future
The major refurbishment respected the architecture of this culturally and historically significant building while opening up new possibilities for the Finnish National Theatre. The refurbished facilities support a diverse repertoire and enable different ways of making theatre across genres.
At the same time, the building became a more versatile and functional part of Helsinki city centre. The refurbished section of the Finnish National Theatre brings new vibrancy to the streetscape and the edge of Kaisaniemi Park, while strengthening the theatre block’s role in the city.
The result is a theatre for the future that better serves audiences, artists and city residents, respecting its heritage while creating new possibilities.
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Finnish National Theatre
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