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Description
De Gamlas Hem
Eteläpuisto 4

Birger Federley, 1904-05
Style: Jugend

The retirement home foundation De Gamlas Hem began its operations in the Swedish-speaking community in the beginning of the 1890s. Thanks to the donations it received, the foundation started planning the building of their own retirement home in 1898 on the spot donated by the city, situated besides Eteläpuisto. The initial drawings were commissioned from F.L. Calonius in 1899, but during the annual meeting of 1903 they were also presented with suggestions drafted by Birger Federley and August Krook. One of Federley's three suggestions was chosen to be executed, and the building was finished in 1905. Although De Gamlas Hem seems modest on the outside, it hides within it one of the finest Jugend interiors in Tampere.

When designing the home, Federley seemed to proceed from the thought to make the building truly feel like a "home" instead of a hospital or a facility resembling a hotel. The foundation of the two-storey, plastered brick building is roughly a square. All façades are proportionally around the same, but the details do show slight variation. The central hall's lantern and the large number of chimneys due to all the fireplaces within gives the outside a unique stamp. The interior space centres around a spacious hall that encompasses both floors, and gets its light filtered through the square, bulkhead-like stained-glass windows above. The living quarters are situated around the hall in both floors, with the first floor's northern part also containing a dining room and kitchens.

The floors are connected together by an open staircase that rise from the main foyer. The railing around the staircase, which was originally polished in a light shade, narrows a small cylindrical section that was possibly used as the pulpit for small prayer moments. Behind it on the wall are narrow windows decorated with coloured glass. The doors in the hall's corners are hidden behind arches, which prevents the impression of hotel-like rows of doors. Particularly due to its original interior design, De Gamlas Hem is worth preservation.

The city of Tampere bought the building in 1982 and in 1984 refurbished spaces for the Pirkanmaa music conservatory. The subtle changes were made by Harry W. Schreck. De Gamlas Hem doesn't flaunt with dramatics, but contains richness that avoids pretension, and shows a delicate and discreet touch. It is undoubtedly one of Federley's finest creations.

Description
De Gamlas Hem
Eteläpuisto 4

Birger Federley, 1904-05
Style: Jugend

The retirement home foundation De Gamlas Hem began its operations in the Swedish-speaking community in the beginning of the 1890s. Thanks to the donations it received, the foundation started planning the building of their own retirement home in 1898 on the spot donated by the city, situated besides Eteläpuisto. The initial drawings were commissioned from F.L. Calonius in 1899, but during the annual meeting of 1903 they were also presented with suggestions drafted by Birger Federley and August Krook. One of Federley's three suggestions was chosen to be executed, and the building was finished in 1905. Although De Gamlas Hem seems modest on the outside, it hides within it one of the finest Jugend interiors in Tampere.

When designing the home, Federley seemed to proceed from the thought to make the building truly feel like a "home" instead of a hospital or a facility resembling a hotel. The foundation of the two-storey, plastered brick building is roughly a square. All façades are proportionally around the same, but the details do show slight variation. The central hall's lantern and the large number of chimneys due to all the fireplaces within gives the outside a unique stamp. The interior space centres around a spacious hall that encompasses both floors, and gets its light filtered through the square, bulkhead-like stained-glass windows above. The living quarters are situated around the hall in both floors, with the first floor's northern part also containing a dining room and kitchens.

The floors are connected together by an open staircase that rise from the main foyer. The railing around the staircase, which was originally polished in a light shade, narrows a small cylindrical section that was possibly used as the pulpit for small prayer moments. Behind it on the wall are narrow windows decorated with coloured glass. The doors in the hall's corners are hidden behind arches, which prevents the impression of hotel-like rows of doors. Particularly due to its original interior design, De Gamlas Hem is worth preservation.

The city of Tampere bought the building in 1982 and in 1984 refurbished spaces for the Pirkanmaa music conservatory. The subtle changes were made by Harry W. Schreck. De Gamlas Hem doesn't flaunt with dramatics, but contains richness that avoids pretension, and shows a delicate and discreet touch. It is undoubtedly one of Federley's finest creations.