The building was designed by Alvar Aalto, and is considered to be one of his main works.

[1] Kulttuuritalo was originally built for Finnish Communist cultural organizations.

Aalto designed the building pro bono and was given complete artistic freedom; the construction work was done largely by volunteers.

The building was owned by the Communist Party by a nonprofit foundation until the 1990, when the bankruptcy of the Finnish Communist Party forced its sale.

The building is protected by a decision made by the Finnish Council of State in 1989. Notable artists who have played at the venue[2] include: