Architect
Kaija and Heikki Siren
Completion
1968
Renovation
2004
Gross area
35654 m²
Themes
Groundbreaking Female Architects
Category
Commercial buildings
Tags
commercial copper Modernism office

The circle-shaped building Circle House [Ympyrätalo], is a landmark in the streetscape of Hakaniemi and Eläintarhanlahti bay in Kallio district. The monumental office building’s ground floor has business premises. The ribbon windows and copper cladding form a distinctive look to the building. At the time of its construction, the building represented a new kind of big-city architecture in the streetscape of the Hakaniemi area. The building’s monumentalism is especially impressive with the illumination at nighttime.

Circle House was planned by Kaija and Heikki Siren Architects, one of the most well known architectural practices of the time. The building was planned to form a pair with the neighbouring Kallio Municipal Offices, also designed by Kaija and Heikki Siren Architects, and completed in 1965. Both buildings were historically large developments in central Helsinki in the 1960s. Circle House was completed in 1968.

The refurbishment of the building was made in the early 2000s. The refurbishment was designed by Siren Architects, run by Kaija and Heikki Siren’s son, architect Jukka Siren. One of the office room’s interior was maintained in its original shape.

Location

Siltasaarenkatu 18, Helsinki
60.180343, 24.9489128

Images

The building photographed from the Hakaniementori, Circle House
The building photographed from the Hakaniementori, Circle House (© Antilooppi)
Circle House photographed from the Eläintarhanlahti bay, Circle House
Circle House photographed from the Eläintarhanlahti bay, Circle House (© Óðinn / Wikimedia Commons)
Aerial view, Circle House
Aerial view, Circle House (© Antilooppi)
The courtyard façade, Circle House
The courtyard façade, Circle House (© Siren Architects)
The buildings impressive night time illumination, Circle House
The buildings impressive night time illumination, Circle House (© Siren Architects)
Night time aerial view, Circle House
Night time aerial view, Circle House (© Kristoffer Östman / HKM)
Circle House photographed in 1969 from the Eläintarhanlahti bay, Circle House
Circle House photographed in 1969 from the Eläintarhanlahti bay, Circle House (© Simo Rista / HKM)
The construction of the building, Circle House
The construction of the building, Circle House (© Niilo Kienanen / HKM)

More projects by author

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Espoo Funerary Chapel

  • Espoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Lahti Concert Hall

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

The Granite House

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Brucknerhaus Linz

  • Linz
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Helsinki Federation of Parishes

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Helsinki Finnish Co-educational School SYK

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

The Siren House

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Lingånsö

  • Raseborg
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kotka Co-operative Bank

  • Kotka
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Industry House

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Orivesi Church

  • Orivesi
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Saudi Arabia Embassy of Finland

  • Riyadh
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Baghdad Conference Palace

  • Baghdad
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Finnish National Theatre Small Stage

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Otaniemi Chapel

  • Espoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kallio Municipal Office Building

  • Helsinki

Nearby projects

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Meripaviljonki Restaurant

  • 200 m
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kallio Municipal Office Building

  • 200 m
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Paasitorni, Helsinki Workers’ House

  • 200 m