Erkki Huttunen (1901-1956) is known above all as an architect of industrial and business premises. Working in the building department of the Finnish Co-operative Society (SOK), he was the central influence in bringing functionalist commercial building to Finland.
SOK Flour Mill and Warehouse (Source: Saivo, Pirkka. Muistorikas Viipuri. p.92)
The SOK Mill and Warehouse were built in 1931-1932 in the South Harbour, 200 meters from the pier. In 1935 a six-storey wing for bakery was added to the west side, extending to the other side of the railway tracks, and in 1937 an extension for the bakery was built between the north ends of the warehouse and silos, closing the opening in the "U" of the original plan.
SOK Flour Mill and Warehouse (Photo: Irina Welsch 2008)
The whole architectural ensemble whith it's clean, white-stuccoed facades represents, stylistically, the functionalism of the 1930s. After the Viipuri Mill had been badly damaged during the Winter War of 1939, Erkki Huttonen constructed in Nokia a new SOK grain mill to be quite similar in design.
Cf. Riita Nikula, Die Zeit zwischen den Weltkriegen. Die Architektur der jungen Republik. // Finnland. Architektur im 20. Jahrhundert, München 2000, p. 85-86
Juhana Lahti (et. Al.), Finnish Co-operative Society (SOK) Office. Oulu// 20th-century Architecture. Finland, p. 201.
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