Address: Jorma Eton tie 8 A, 96100 Rovaniemi Open Google map
Entrance fee: Viewable from the outside / indoors during events
Themes: Art, Civic centers, Cultural buildings
Website: Visit Rovaniemi
Alvar Aalto’s main work in Rovaniemi is the Administrative and Cultural centre, also known as the Aalto centre, which consists of the Rovaniemi Town Hall, Rovaniemi City Library and the Lappia Hall: a congress venue and the home of Rovaniemi Theatre. The Lappia Hall houses the Rovaniemi Theatre / Regional Theatre of Lapland, local Yle national radio station and the Lapland Music Institute. The hall was built in two parts in the 1960s and 1970s, and it was completed as a whole in 1975, it was the last building whose completion Aalto saw before his passing.
The stage section of the Lappia Hall can be clearly recognized from the outside of the building, as its volume rises above the main facade. The undulating roof structure can also be seen to interpret the mountainous landscape of the Lapland region. The Lappia Hall has a total of three auditoria: the 80-seat Kero-hall, the 100-seat Saivo-hall and the 386-seat Tieva-hall, all suitable for a wide range of events.
A wide renovation of the Lappia Hall was completed in 2015; the aim of the renovation was to preserve the original architecture of the building, taking into account the requirements of present-day use. Changes to the interiors were also made to improve the working conditions for staff of the theatre and music institute. The exterior of the Lappia Hall was kept unchanged. The renovation work was planned by architect office A-konsultit Oy and the construction work was carried out by the City of Rovaniemi. The renovation project was handled in an exceptional way, with the guidelines and basis for the operation being defined as a joint collaboration of city representatives, external experts and the Alvar Aalto Foundation.
The Lappia Hall houses the Rovaniemi Theatre / Regional Theatre of Lapland, the local Yle national radio station and the Lapland Music Institute. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
View of the theatre restaurant located on the second floor of Lappia Hall. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
The Lappia Hall was built in two parts in the 1960s and 1970s, and it was completed as a whole in 1975, it was the last building whose completion Aalto saw before his passing.
Information for visitors
Good to know
Arriving to Rovaniemi
The city of Rovaniemi is well connected to the rest of the world via various means of transport. The distance between Helsinki and Rovaniemi is approximately 820 kilometres. Rovaniemi can be reached by plane, train, bus or car. Distances within the city are relatively short and you can reach sights either on foot or by catching a local bus or taking a taxi. You can reach Rovaniemi taxi service by calling +358 200 88 000.
Lappia Hall is located on Jorma Etonintie 8.
Read more about arriving to Rovaniemi and getting around the city from the Visit Rovaniemi website.
You will also find more information about Alvar Aalto’s and other major architects’ works on the Visit Rovaniemi website.
You can purchase publications about Alvar Aalto’s architecture in Rovaniemi as well as download architectural drawings from the Alvar Aalto web shop!