Parliament House, Helsinki
| Parliament House | |
|---|---|
| Eduskuntatalo Riksdagshuset |
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| General information | |
| Type | Governmental |
| Location |
 Helsinki, Finland
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| Coordinates | 60°10′21″N 024°56′00″E / 60.17250°N 24.93333°ECoordinates: 60°10′21″N 024°56′00″E / 60.17250°N 24.93333°E |
| Construction started | 1926 |
| Completed | 7 March 1931 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Johan Sigfrid Sirén |
Parliament House (Finnish: Eduskuntatalo, Swedish: Riksdagshuset) is the seat of the Parliament of Finland. It is located in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, in the district of Töölö.
In 1923 a competition was held to choose a site for a new Parliament House. Arkadianmäki, a hill beside what is now Mannerheimintie, was chosen as the best site.
The architectural competition which was held in 1924 was won by the firm of Borg–Sirén–Åberg with a proposal called Oratoribus (Latin for "for the speakers"). Johan Sigfrid Sirén (1889–1961), who was mainly responsible for preparing the proposal, was given the task of designing Parliament House. The building was constructed 1926–1931 and was officially inaugurated on March 7, 1931. Ever since then, and especially during the Winter War and Continuation War, it has been the scene of many key moments in the nation's political life.
Sirén designed Parliament House in a stripped classical architectural style combining Neoclassicism with early twentieth century modernism. Sirén's combination of simplified columns and balusters with simplified planar geometry bears comparison to similar explorations by Erik Gunnar Asplund and Jože Plečnik. The exterior is red Kalvola granite. The façade is lined by fourteen columns with Corinthian capitals.
The building has five floors, each of which is unique. The floors are connected by a white marble staircase and famous paternoster lifts. Most important for visitors are the main lobby, the stately plenary chamber and the large reception hall, the so-called Hall of State.
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