Facade renovation of Mikkeli Theatre nears completion amidst color change in Finland

The facade renovation of the Mikkeli Theatre is nearing completion, with the project expected to finish by the end of the year. On Thursday, a surprise was revealed as the theatre’s color changed from blue to yellow during the renovation. A color assessment was conducted in an effort to discover the building’s original hue. Jarkko Hyttinen, the real estate manager for the city of Mikkeli, explained that the original color was determined through test painting, after which the architect and the National Museum of Finland chose the final shade of lime paint.

The theatre building holds significant cultural and historical value, and its facade is protected. Hyttinen noted that collaboration with the museum aimed to ensure that the building’s value is preserved for the future.

Despite facing challenges from decay issues, the renovation budget has been maintained. Hyttinen reported that the project has progressed without major surprises. However, the plastered areas of the building posed challenges due to previously used overly strong plaster during past repairs, and the amount of decay in the timber was greater than anticipated. Windows that were intended to be replaced also had to be restored, per requirements from the National Museum, making the process more labor-intensive and costly compared to installing new windows.

This year, two million euros have been allocated for the theatre’s facade restoration, and despite the surprises, Hyttinen believes the project will remain within budget. He hopes that residents will come to see the newly transformed theatre.