Eduskuntatalo

Infobox building
building_name = Eduskuntatalo
Riksdagshuset
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caption =
former_names =
building_type = Governmental
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location = Flagicon|Finland Helsinki, Finland
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coordinates = coord|60|10|21.2|N|24|55|59.8|E|region:FI_type:landmark|display=inline,title
start_date = 1926
completion_date = 7 March 1931
demolition_date =
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main_contractor =
architect = Johan Sigfrid Sirén
structural_engineer =
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awards =

The Eduskuntatalo (in Finnish), or Riksdagshuset (in Swedish), is the building in which the Parliament of Finland meets. It is located in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

History

In 1923 a competition was held to choose a site for a new Parliament House. Arkadianmäki, a hill beside what is now Mannerheimintie, was chosen as the best site.

The architectural competition which was held in 1924 was won by the firm of Borg–Sirén–Åberg with a proposal called Oratoribus (Latin for "for the speakers"). Johan Sigfrid Sirén (1889–1961), who was mainly responsible for preparing the proposal, was given the task of designing Parliament House. The building was constructed 1926–1931 and was officially inaugurated on March 7 1931. Ever since then, and especially during the Winter War and Continuation War, it has been the scene of many key moments in the nation's political life.

Architecture and features

Sirén designed the Eduskuntatalo in an architectural style combining Neoclassicism with early twentieth century modernism. Sirén's combination of simplified columns and balusters with simplified planar geometry bears comparison to similar explorations by Erik Gunnar Asplund and Jože Plečnik. The exterior is red Kalvola granite. The façade is lined by fourteen columns with Corinthian capitals.

The building has five floors, each of which is unique. The floors are connected by a white marble staircase and famous paternoster lifts. Most important for visitors are the main lobby, the stately Session Hall and the large Hall of State.

Notable later additions to the building are the library annex completed in 1978 and a separate office block, the Pikkuparlamentti ( _en. Little Parliament), the needfulness of which was an object of some controversy, completed in 2004.

First floor

The first floor contains the main lobby, the Speaker’s reception rooms, the newspaper room, the Information Service, the Documents Office, the messenger centre, the copying room, and the restaurant and separate function rooms. At both ends of the lobby are marble staircases leading up to the fifth floor.

econd floor

The second or main floor is centred around the Session Hall. Its galleries have seats for the public, the media and diplomats. Also located on this floor are the Hall of State, the Speaker’s Corridor, the Government’s Corridor, the cafeteria and adjacent function rooms.

Third floor

The third floor includes facilities for the Information Unit and the media and provides direct access to the press gallery overlooking the Session Hall. The Minutes Office and a number of committee rooms are also located here.

Fourth floor

The fourth floor is reserved for committees. Its largest rooms are the Grand Committee Room and the Finance Committee Room.

Fifth floor

The fifth floor contains meeting rooms and offices for the parliamentary groups. Additional offices for the parliamentary groups are located on the sixth floor, along with facilities for the media.

ightseeing

Guided tours are arranged Saturdays 11am and 12:30pm and Sundays 12pm and 1:30pm; in July and August also 2pm on weekdays. Tuesdays and Fridays you can watch the Parliament in session from the public balcony.

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.eduskunta.fi/ Official Parliament Website]
* [http://www.wcities.com/en/record/,53731/96/record.html Information about the Eduskuntatalo on wcities]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3276492904624449441 Short movie featuring the Eduskuntatalo]