A splendid sight

Helsinki-Malmi Airport, then called Helsinki Airport, was opened in 1938. Designed by architect Dag Englund for offices and passengers, the structure represented the latest architectural fashion of functionalism, embodying the notions of technology, purpose and international sensibility.

The light, modern building became more than just Helsinki’s airport but also a symbol of the young state’s modernity and technical prowess. Prominent author Mika Walteri wrote in Suomen Kuvalehti magazine: “Helsinki’s airport at Malmi is a splendid sight; having experienced other airports I can state that we in no way need be ashamed. It denotes the last word in technology and science in the airport sector...”

Created for aviation, the ground plan of the building was designed to be functional and it was built of concrete, steel and glass, which was popular at the time. A central hall rose the full height of the circular central building and light was admitted through rows of windows set high around the wall. Public service facilities were located on the ground floor around the central hall, including domestic airline offices with baggage and check-in departments, customs, post office and telegraph services. The passenger waiting room was set a few steps higher and stairs led from the waiting room to the restaurant on the second floor.

Attached to the circular centre section were two diametrically opposed wings containing such facilities as a first aid station, pilots’ bedrooms and recreation rooms, and a telephone exchange room.

Helsinki-Malmi is the oldest still operational airport in Finland and was included for listing by the docomomo organisation for Architectural Masterpieces of Finnish Modernism. The National Board of Antiquities has declared Malmi Airport a nationally important cultural environment which should be preserved as a functional whole.

Sources:
Sini Koskimies: A Dream of Flying / Unelma lentämisestä. A Helsinki City Museum publication. 2004.
docomo – Architectural Masterpieces of Finnish Modernism. Helsinki 2002. Arkkitehti magazine 7/1938.