Rautatalo, Modernist office building in central Helsinki, Finland
Rautatalo is a six-story office building in central Helsinki with a copper-plated main facade and brown brick sides. It contains a large marble courtyard that functions as a public lunch restaurant, while upper floors hold office spaces and the ground level houses retail shops.
The building was completed in 1955 after winning an architectural competition led by Alvar Aalto. It marked a turning point in Finnish post-war commercial architecture.
The name Rautatalo means Iron House, reflecting its original purpose for the Finnish Hardware Association. Visitors today can see how this building shaped the commercial life of the neighborhood.
The marble courtyard is publicly accessible and offers a quiet spot for a midday break in the city center. The location in the Kluuvi district makes it easy to reach, and you can explore the shops and spaces at your own pace.
The courtyard roof is illuminated by forty skylights that create a Mediterranean feel. This bright interior stands in sharp contrast to the dark and solid exterior facade.
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