Eva-Marie Prineas’s design guide to Helsinki

Eva-Marie Prineas is the founder and principal of Sydney-based architecture and interior design practice Studio Prineas. Her passion for heritage conservation and sustainable design underpins the studio’s commitment to engage with and adapt places that are already special, inspiring a life well lived.

“Upon completing my architecture degree about 20 years ago, I made a pilgrimage to Finland to study the iconic work of Alvar Aalto, an inspiring adventure to have had in my formative years as an architect,” says Prineas. “From sipping hot coffee at the port with local fishermen to seeing the work of a global design icon first-hand – memories of experiencing Helsinki in the good company of local friends will stay with me forever.” Here are her top five places every design lover should visit while in the Finnish capital.

Alvar Aalto’s studio

Now belonging to the Aalto Foundation, this must-see property is anchored by an iconic main hall, once used as Aalto’s personal workplace. Hanging and climbing plants brim the double-height, light-filled volume, complete with timber battens for displaying drawings and a corner mezzanine designed to hang lighting prototypes. Broad windows address a landscaped garden amphitheatre, inviting visitors to explore the grounds and wander towards Aalto’s nearby home, which is a short, scenic walk away and open for tours.

Espoo and Otaniemi Campus Area, Aalto University

This red-brick building hosts the Aalto Schools of Engineering, Business, Arts and Design – remarkably designed in 1949 but not completed until 1964. Its fan-shaped arrangement and logical form creates a terraced festival square for the campus, with 11 halls contained within. Inside, elegant Aalto details abound, and his architect wife, Elissa Aalto, designed a new wing for the building, completed in 1975. A recent renovation by Architects NRT improved accessibility and added flexible educational spaces.

Its fan-shaped arrangement and logical form creates a terraced festival square for the campus, with 11 halls contained within.

Temppeliaukio Church

Designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1961, Temppeliaukio Church is an extraordinary sanctuary carved directly into granite bedrock. A dimly lit tunnel transports visitors into the congregation space, where a circular ceiling clad in unoxidized copper thread appears suspended above, surrounded by a veil of skylights. While the public was initially highly critical of the design, the church is now one of Helsinki’s most beloved landmarks and, like all religious gathering places, offers an opportunity for respite and contemplation.

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Kiasma was designed by American architect Steven Holl, whose books Anchoring and Intertwining were the cause of some obsession for students in my university days. In line with its definition – ‘chiasma’ being the Greek word for crossing – the building intertwines with the city and landscape’s geometry; its sweeping curves are said to link conceptually to Finlandia Hall and Töölö Bay. Kiasma is part of the Finnish National Gallery and holds the gallery’s contemporary art collection.

In line with its definition – ‘chiasma’ being the Greek word for crossing – the building intertwines with the city and landscape’s geometry.

Otaniemi Chapel

This beautiful and modest masterpiece designed by Kaija and Heikki Siren pays reverence to Finland’s densely forested landscape, comprising spruce, pine and birch woodlands. The chapel’s primary materials of timber and brick are punctuated by a glazed elevation spanning the length of the altar, framing views to the forest in lieu of typical religious iconography. This gesture connects visitors to the calm surrounds, with a simple white cross seeming to rest among the forest. It’s a spiritual and uplifting experience, transitioning throughout the seasons.