Hilda Hongell

Hilda Hongell (1867-1952) was the first female architect in Finland.

She grew up in the Åland Islands, and began her career as a special student at Helsingfors Industrial School in 1891. In those days only men could attend the industrial schools in the country, but because of her excellent results she got accepted as a regular student the following year, and began her career in architecture in 1894.

At the turn of the 20th century, the ornamented Swiss style was favoured in Finland; Hongell used this style most effectively.

Hilda Hongell designed 98 buildings in the Mariehamn district, mostly town houses and farm houses. Around 44 of them are still standing today.