Parliament of Finland, Parliament House Extension, completed 2004

The Finnish Parliament House Extension was completed in June 2004. The building is on the street called Arkadiankatu, near to the Parliament House. Born out of a growing need for more space, the extension offers additional working premises for Members of Parliament and their assistants, as well as committees. It was designed by the architects Helin & Co.

The upper part has a conical-shaped structure of dark burnt clay brick, and the curved lower part of the facade has the same Kalvola granite as in the Parliament House itself. The interior makes generous use of various different Finnish wood and stone types.

The glazing façade is built on the curved and conical form of the construction. The diameter of the cone increases with higherfloors of the building. The stainless steel frame, which supports the glass, also has to follow this curved and conical form. The hollow sections used are of AISI316Ti, with dimensions 70x70x4. The tubes were bent to the desired radius.