Mini-history
Year of foundation. The founding meeting of the Helsinki branch of the Finnish Master Builders' Association was held on February 14, 1906 at Hotel Kaleva.
The Association of Building Masters rented an apartment at Mikonkatu 11, where the Finnish and Swedish-language departments in Helsinki also moved in. The editorial staff of the Rakennustaito magazine also moved into the premises.
Acquisition of its own office building. The Helsinki branch of the Finnish Association of Master Builders purchased the plots at Fredrikinkatu 51 and 53. At the time, the plots contained two stone and wooden houses, which were renovated. The first monthly meeting of the Helsinki branch in its own building was held in October.
The Master Builders' House was completed. The work was carried out without a loan during construction. The project was supported financially, in the form of loans, by members of the Helsinki branch, the Master Builders' Club and the Sewing Club. Agreements were signed with contractors and building material suppliers, the collateral of which was the promissory notes attached to the house. The Finnish Master Builders' Association, the Louhi Insurance Company and the Finnish Construction Employers' Association also helped with the project.
Master builders received their own professional ring. The board of the Master Builders' Association approved a new ring, the round base of which had the golden emblem of the association, a harp and a triangle surrounded by a wreath, embedded on a black enamel base.
The association advertised for the position of office manager. This multifaceted position at the time included the duties of the association's secretary and treasurer, the management of the building materials exhibition, and the management of the Building Masters' House.
Rakentajain Kone Oy, later Rakentajain Konevuokraamo Oy, was founded. The Helsinki association subscribed for one million marks in shares in the company, thus becoming the company's founding shareholder.
The Helsinki Association's first magazine, "Helsingin Rakennusmestari", was launched.
The Master Builders' House underwent a major transformation through a design competition. The new house was completed in June 1964. After the new part was completed, renovation of the old part of the house began again. The Master Builders' House was inaugurated on December 2, 1965.
The association signed a lease agreement with the City of Helsinki for the right to rent a property called Kallioniemi. In the coming years, Kallioniemi established itself as the association's summer vacation and recreation spot. Kallioniemi was extensively renovated before the association was put into operation. The first summer, the guest book recorded the names of over 2000 visitors.
Changes to the rules of the Central Union and the association made it possible for young members, currently student members, to join the association in the future. The association has therefore been active with technical educational institutions and their students for almost 50 years.
The RKL Board was established. The Helsinki association had a great deal of influence in the RKL Board in the early stages.
The first Champions Night was organized. Before the Champions Nights, the association held monthly meetings instead.
The name of the association was changed to Helsinki Association of Master Builders and Engineers of Applied Sciences.
A Youth Club was established within the association, with the aim of activating working members and students in the association's activities.
Kallioniemi has been in use by the association for 40 years, since 1973. On May 24.5, the past was commemorated in Kallioniemi as a celebration.
Sources:
Helsinki Master Builders and Engineers University of Applied Sciences – 1906 – 2006 Masters Association 100 years, Lauri Seppänen
Association activity reports