It is notable for having been designed by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in the modernist style.

The interior design makes extensive use of light wood and plain white surfaces with blue accents, typical of Aalto's later work.

The first phase was completed in 1961, and housed among other things the Finnish public broadcaster Yle's regional office, as well as the Lapland Music Institute (Lapin musiikkiopisto).

[1] In 2013–2015, the interior of the building was extensively renovated, as well as expanded to include underground performance venue and service areas.

[1] The complex has been designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).