Source: Tuomas Uusheimo, Helsinki PartnersFinlandia HallFinlandia Hall, designed by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and completed in 1971, will reopen on 4 January after a three-year renovation project.The Helsinki venue will open its doors daily to city residents and tourists, aiming to serve as both an event space and cultural destination.The renovation modernises the buildings facilities while seeking to preserve Aaltos original vision.New features include a restaurant, a caf with a terrace overlooking Tlnlahti Bay, and a retail space focused on Finnish design.For the first time, Finlandia Hall will also offer overnight stays in two restored apartments originally designed by Aalto as staff accommodation. The apartments have been carefully refurbished and furnished with Artek pieces and the buildings original furniture to reflect Aaltos design ethos.Finlandia HallSource: Tuomas UusheimoCafSource: Riikka KantinkoskiApartmentSource: Riikka Kantinkoski1/3show captionIn June 2025, a permanent exhibition titled Finlandia Experience is scheduled to open. It seeks to provide visitors with an insight into the architectural and creative achievements of Alvar Aalto, alongside the work of his first and second wives, Aino and Elissa Aalto, who were also key collaborators. The exhibition will explore their influence on modern architecture and Finnish design.Finlandia Halls upgrades also extend to its event infrastructure. The main auditorium retains Aaltos original design while incorporating new technology. The venue aims to attract a broader range of events, from concerts to conferences, with a goal of doubling its pre-renovation annual visitor count of 200,000 by the end of 2025.Aino AaltoSource: ShutterstockThe iconic Aalto Vase / Savoy Vase was created by Alvar Aalto and his first wife AinoAino Aalto, born Aino Marsio, was a pioneering architect and designer. She graduated as an architect from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1920 and began working with Alvar Aalto shortly after. The two married in 1924 and developed a highly collaborative partnership. Aino played a crucial role in shaping the Aalto design ethos, particularly through her work on interiors, furniture, and everyday objects.She was instrumental in the development of Artek, the furniture company co-founded by the Aaltos in 1935, which became renowned for its innovative, functionalist designs. Aino also designed a range of iconic glassware, including the Aino Aalto glass series for Iittala, still in production today. She was deeply involved in many of Alvar Aaltos architectural projects, contributing significantly to both their design and execution.Elissa AaltoSource: Creative CommonsElissa AaltoElissa Aalto, born Elsa Kaisa Mkiniemi, joined Alvar Aaltos practice in the late 1940s as an architect. She became his second wife in 1952, three years after Ainos death. Elissa continued working in the Aalto office, eventually playing a key role in the management and completion of Alvar Aaltos projects, especially after his death in 1976.Elissa was instrumental in the realisation of numerous significant projects, including the Finlandia Hall. She also worked on preserving and promoting Alvar Aaltos architectural legacy, managing the Aalto offices operations and overseeing many of its later commissions.Both women were integral to the development of the Aalto design language and were critical in advancing Finnish modernism on the global stage. While often overshadowed by Alvar Aaltos fame, their contributions are increasingly recognised as vital to the evolution of 20th-century Finish architecture and design.