New spaces hidden in the existing urban structure
A 19th-century military garrison kitchen building, constructed between 1830-33, which later became the Helsinki bus station from 1930 to 1995 and then a commercial and office facility, has been repurposed into a cinema and restaurant complex named Kulttuurikasarmi.
During the renovations, the building has been expanded under the ground, below the old building frame and the Lasipalatsi square. On the other side at Narinkkatori, a one-story high restaurant pavilion has been built at ground level.
Being a part of the Lasipalatsi block, the building is complementing the cultural offerings with three cinemas, restaurant facilities and an event space.
The cinema functions are on the basement floor. Restaurants are located at street level. The glass-walled, one-story-high restaurant pavilion extension on the street level was designed to not change the large-scale role of the old building in the urban structure. On the second floor, there is an event space that can be divided into two sections and offers access to the roof terrace.
https://www.kulttuurikasarmi.fi/tutustukulttuurikasarmiin (History video)
https://www.gilda.fi (Cinema)
Facts
| Location | Helsinki |
| Year | 2023 |
| Size | 4436 brm² |
| Client | Glaspalatskvarteret Ab |
