Finlandia Hall

6,800 m² of Lasa marble for one of Finland’s best known landmarks

From 2022 to the end of 2023, Lasa Marmo realised the production and fabrication of the new exterior façade of Finlandia Talo (Finlandia Hall) in Helsinki. The prominent building, originally designed by Alvar Aalto and completed in 1971, is one of Finland's most important modern landmarks. As part of the recent refurbishment, the exterior façade was renewed with LASA BIANCO NUVOLATO^® marble to do justice to the outstanding architectural significance of Finlandia Talo.

The Carrara marble originally used proved to be less durable due to the climatic conditions in Helsinki. Numerous slabs had to be replaced back in the 1990s. After further decades of exposure to the elements, a comprehensive renovation became necessary.

EU research provides the basis for the choice of LASA BIANCO NUVOLATO^®.

Back in 2000, the SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute (RISE) launched the EU research project TEAM (Testing and Assessment of Marble and Limestone) together with 16 other research institutes from nine European countries. The aim was to investigate the mechanisms of deformation and loss of strength in marble and limestone façades and to develop European standards. The research, which ran until 2005, yielded valuable findings on material durability and standardised testing methods. Due to its expertise, RISE was called in as a consultant for the Finlandia-Talo project. The LASA BIANCO NUVOLATO^® quarried by Lasa Marmo in the Lasa White Water Quarry has now undergone extensive testing.

Based on these test results and examples of façades that have been clad with Lasa marble in the past, it was established that Lasa marble has a service life of at least 50 years and that the so-called bowing effect, a deformation typical of many types of marble, only occurs within the very narrow tolerances specified by the modern European standards.

In the end, it was the combination of the excellent technical properties and the aesthetics of the marble which proved to fulfil Alvar Aalto's original ideas and visions.

Technical implementation of the refurbishment

The renovation of the exterior façade began in March 2022. The old marble slabs were removed and replaced with new slabs of Lasa marble - a decisive step in the preservation of this architectural masterpiece. A total of 6,800 square metres of marble were used for the project. The façade elements in LASA BIANCO NUVOLATO^® were manufactured in 3 cm thick slabs and finished with a polished surface. Particular attention was paid to quality assurance: the stability and durability of the marble was ensured through continuous material tests and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements (UPV) of each of the approx. 12,000 façade elements.

Measurements and material tests continue to be carried out on the façade parts assembled on site.

Comprehensive traceability

A comprehensive quality assurance programme enabled comprehensive traceability of the production chain - from extraction in the quarry to the production of the façade slabs. The blocks were inspected and precisely localised at the quarry. Continuous quality controls were carried out during processing. All façade slabs were laid out in a darkened hall at the Lasa factory to ensure constant lighting conditions. Drone shots were used by the architect for final approval.

Architectural management

The façade was redesigned under the architectural direction of Finnish architect Teemu Tuomi (Arkkitehdit NRT Oy). The aim was to preserve Aalto's iconic aesthetics while finding a durable, climate-resistant solution. The new exterior façade made of Lasa marble blends harmoniously into the original design and continues to form a striking contrast to the black granite of the building.

New benchmarks in natural stone architecture

Finlandia Talo's extensively renovated main building was officially opened on the 4th of January, 2025. The building remains an important venue and a symbol of Finnish architecture. The project also sets new standards for sustainable refurbishments in heritage conservation and emphasises the importance of Lasa marble as a first-class building material for international architectural projects. With the successful completion of this demanding refurbishment, Lasa Marmo is consolidating its position as one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality natural stone for prestigious construction projects. LASA BIANCO NUVOLATO^® is characterised by its outstanding technical properties and high frost resistance and is one of the few types of marble that is suitable for exterior façades in cold regions such as Finland.