Hilding Ekelund
Encyclopedia
Georg Hilding Ekelund was a Finnish architect, from 1950 to 1958 a professor of housing design at Helsinki University of Technology and from 1931 to 1934 editor-in-chief of the Finnish architects' journal Arkkitheti (Finnish Architectural Review). His career as an architect spans the change in styles in Finland from the Nordic Classicism
of the 1920s to the Modernism
of the 1970s.
, qualifying as an architect in 1916. His wide career in architecture spanned from the design of public housing areas and town planning to public buildings, factories and churches. Following a classical education in architecture, where the predominant style was Nordic Classicism, Ekelund like others Finnish architects of his generation, such as Alvar Aalto
, made the switch to Modernism – known in Finland as "Functionalism" - partly in response to the greater urbanisation of the country during the 1920s and 1930s.
Ekelund designed a significant number of buildings in the town of Karis
, already during the 1930s. The town plan for the town, drawn up in the 1930s by architect Carolus Lindberg was soon regarded as over-dimensioned, and Ekelund was given the task of redesigning it. His "modern" design was influenced by ideas from the Garden city movement
, as interpreted in Finland by Otto-Iivari Meurman
and its modern interpretation by Le Corbusier
, with a particular emphasis on open spaces and parks. In the town Ekelund designed a dispensing chemist, the town hall, cemetery chapel, water tower, trade college and several schools and old-people's homes.
Architectural competitions have been a common method in Finland for choosing designs for key public buildings, and Ekelund entered several of them over the length of his career. For instamce, he won the competition for the choice of the site of the Finnish Parliamnt building - though the final site was later changed and the final architect of the building, following a second competition, was chosen as J.S. Sirén.
Among Ekelund's more notable buildings are the Taidehalli Art Gallery (together with Jarl Eklund) in Helsinki, Töölö Church in Helsinki, the Finnish Embassy in Moscow
, and a number of buildings for the 1952 Summer Olympics
held in Helsinki, including the Olympic Rowing Stadium, the Olympic Velodrome, and the Olympic Games village.
Hilding Ekelund’s brother was the author and painter Ragnar Ekelund. His wife, Eva Kuhlefelt–Ekelund, was also an architect, and they formed a joint office in 1927.
Nordic Classicism
Nordic Classicism was a style of architecture that briefly blossomed in the Nordic countries between 1910 and 1930....
of the 1920s to the Modernism
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
of the 1970s.
Career
Ekeleund studied architecture at Helsinki University of TechnologyAalto University
Aalto University is a Finnish university established on January 1, 2010, by the merger of the Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics, and the University of Art and Design Helsinki....
, qualifying as an architect in 1916. His wide career in architecture spanned from the design of public housing areas and town planning to public buildings, factories and churches. Following a classical education in architecture, where the predominant style was Nordic Classicism, Ekelund like others Finnish architects of his generation, such as Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware...
, made the switch to Modernism – known in Finland as "Functionalism" - partly in response to the greater urbanisation of the country during the 1920s and 1930s.
Ekelund designed a significant number of buildings in the town of Karis
Karis
Karis is a former Finnish town and Finnish municipality in Finland. On January 1, 2009, it was consolidated with Ekenäs and Pohja that formed the new town of Raseborg....
, already during the 1930s. The town plan for the town, drawn up in the 1930s by architect Carolus Lindberg was soon regarded as over-dimensioned, and Ekelund was given the task of redesigning it. His "modern" design was influenced by ideas from the Garden city movement
Garden city movement
The garden city movement is a method of urban planning that was initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom. Garden cities were intended to be planned, self-contained communities surrounded by "greenbelts" , containing proportionate areas of residences, industry and...
, as interpreted in Finland by Otto-Iivari Meurman
Otto-Iivari Meurman
Otto-Iivari Meurman was a Finnish architect. He did city plans for Kauniainen and Tapiola....
and its modern interpretation by Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier , was a Swiss-born French architect, designer, urbanist, writer and painter, famous for being one of the pioneers of what now is called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930...
, with a particular emphasis on open spaces and parks. In the town Ekelund designed a dispensing chemist, the town hall, cemetery chapel, water tower, trade college and several schools and old-people's homes.
Architectural competitions have been a common method in Finland for choosing designs for key public buildings, and Ekelund entered several of them over the length of his career. For instamce, he won the competition for the choice of the site of the Finnish Parliamnt building - though the final site was later changed and the final architect of the building, following a second competition, was chosen as J.S. Sirén.
Among Ekelund's more notable buildings are the Taidehalli Art Gallery (together with Jarl Eklund) in Helsinki, Töölö Church in Helsinki, the Finnish Embassy in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, and a number of buildings for the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
held in Helsinki, including the Olympic Rowing Stadium, the Olympic Velodrome, and the Olympic Games village.
Hilding Ekelund’s brother was the author and painter Ragnar Ekelund. His wife, Eva Kuhlefelt–Ekelund, was also an architect, and they formed a joint office in 1927.
Major works by Hilding Ekelund
- Helsinki Taidehalli Gallery (1928), Helsinki
- Töölö Church (1930), Helsinki
- Lutheran Church (1931), Helsinki
- Finnish Embassy in the Soviet Union (1938), MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
- Olympic Velodrome (1938–40), Helsinki
- Olympic Village (1939–40), Helsinki
- Helsinki street kiosks (1940s–50s), Helsinki
- Karis water tower (1949–1951), KarisKarisKaris is a former Finnish town and Finnish municipality in Finland. On January 1, 2009, it was consolidated with Ekenäs and Pohja that formed the new town of Raseborg....
- Maunula social housing: terraced housing and apartment blocks (1953), Helsinki
- Salmisaari power station (1951), Helsinki
- Swedish-speaking Finnish teachers’ house, Roihuvuori (c. 1957), Helsinki
- Nelimarkka Museum (1964), AlajärviAlajärviAlajärvi is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
- Sahanmäki area regional planning, Maunula, Helsinki