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Dance House Helsinki

JKMM Architects

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Aula / Lobby - Tuomas Uusheimo
Pannu Hall feat. a state-of-the-art technology for experiencing and performing dance - Tuomas Uusheimo
Erkko Hall feat. a state-of-the-art technology for experiencing and performing dance - Tuomas Uusheimo
Aula / Lobby - Tuomas Uusheimo

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Cultural Space
5.48
6.85
5.84
5.00
5.79
Britt Berden
Britt Berden Senior Creative Strategist at FranklinTill
6
7
6
5
6
Simal Yesiltepe
Simal Yesiltepe Founder and Creative Director at Simal Yes Studio
4
7
4.5
5
5.13
Qi Wei
Qi Wei Member, Urban Renewal Professional Committee, Vanke Shanghai Area at Vanke Group
5
7
6
5
5.75
Massimiliano Tosetto
Massimiliano Tosetto Managing Director at Lodes
5
7
5.5
5
5.63
Michela Falcone
Michela Falcone Architect / Educator at Experimental Architecture / BNU University
5
7
5
5
5.5
Astin le Clercq
Astin le Clercq Cofounder and Design Director at Modem
5
6
5
5
5.25
Melissa Amarelo
Melissa Amarelo Cofounder and Creative Director at Toi Toi Toi Creative Studio
7
8
7
5
6.75
Karen El Asmar
Karen El Asmar Architect & Interaction Designer at Tech
5
7
5
6
5.75
Bernhard Kurz
Bernhard Kurz Founder at IFUB*
6
7
6
5
6
Thijn de Ruijter
Thijn de Ruijter Founder and Executive Partner at Karin Lauwers Agencies
7
8
7.5
5
6.88
Mao Hua
Mao Hua Founder at EK Design
5
7
5
5
5.5
Bob Chen
Bob Chen Founder at Bob Chen Design Office
5.14
4.7
5.06
4.97
4.97
Lisa Torreggiani
Lisa Torreggiani Partner at Monkeydu
5
7
7
4
5.75
Amber Feijen
Amber Feijen Spatial and Concept Designer at 5AM
6
5
6
5
5.5
Sophie van Winden
Sophie van Winden Director at Owl Design
6
8
7
5
6.5
Client
Cable Factory and Dance House Helsinki
Floor area
7000 ㎡
Completion
2022
Budget
42 000 000 (the whole project from design to construction)
Social Media
Instagram Facebook Linkedin
Finishes
Sanitary

Finland's first landmark designed for dance opened at the Cable Factory Cultural Centre in Helsinki downtown area in spring 2022. The Dance House project is a long-awaited milestone in the history of Finnish performing arts. The impressive new building and renovated premises in the old parts of the Cable Factory cultural centre are designed by JKMM Architects in collaboration with fellow Finnish practice, ILO architects. 

The project, combining new and old, comprises over 7,000 square metres dedicated to dance – a world-class setting for the performance and experience of dance, circus, and culture. The architecture and the interiors of the Dance House were inspired by dance. The aim was to examine the underlying principles of dance rather than its forms and aesthetic. In the interiors, robust surfaces of raw steel and concrete meet theatre lighting systems, technical installations, and striking colours. Lights and shadows play with reflective surfaces. Together, these aim to create a "burlesque" quality reminiscent of the films by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. 

In the lobby, the interactive lightwork "The Other" is created by artist Eetu Huhtala. The light system reacts softly to movement of the visitors entering the space, which creates a delicate and experiential light installation. The interactive lightwork transforms into art according to the movements of the people in the space – just like a dance. 

The architecture and the interiors of Dance House are designed to leave room for dance performances, the building and the spaces are only complete when dancers and audience arrive. As the visitors enter the spaces, they feel like walking onto the stage, becoming part of the performance. The whole building can be experienced as a stage. The moment of performance has arrived.