Helsinki Music Centre, Helsinki

The Helsinki Music Centre stands as a prominent landmark in Töölönlahti, Helsinki, functioning both as a concert hall and a hub for musical activities. It serves as the base for the esteemed Sibelius Academy, along with housing two symphony orchestras: the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Positioned between the renowned Finlandia Hall and the contemporary art museum Kiasma, and opposite the Parliament of Finland, its location holds prestige.

The main concert hall, designed in a vineyard-style layout, accommodates 1,704 attendees, while the building encompasses five smaller rooms catering to 140-400 people each. These rooms include spaces for chamber music, chamber opera, organ performances, electrically amplified music, and rehearsals. Reflecting Helsinki's modernist architectural style, the Music Centre integrates seamlessly into its surroundings, despite the challenge posed by neighboring architectural landmarks representing various styles and periods.

The winning design, "A Mezza Voce" by LPR Architects, emphasizes subtlety, aiming to harmonize with rather than overshadow its surroundings. To maintain visual cohesion, a significant portion of the building is constructed underground, aligning its roof with adjacent structures. A landscaped terrace above the underground section extends into an open park, while the expansive glass-walled foyer welcomes visitors with ample daylight. Notably, the main concert hall features partially glass walls at the foyer level, allowing natural light to penetrate inside, though curtains offer control over light during performances.

Chief architect Marko Kivistö intentionally crafted simplistic exterior forms to contrast with the building's intricate interior. The green hue of the copper facade connects the structure with its verdant surroundings, aiming to frame and offer a fresh perspective on the neighboring Kiasma Museum's expressive curved shape across the park.