(b Kangasniemi, 18 Nov 1893; d Helsinki, 30 Jan 1984). Finnish architect. He graduated in architecture from the University of Technology in Helsinki in 1916. His earliest works were in the style of Scandinavian Classicism. Following his first journey to Italy (1921–2), he concentrated on the study of architettura minore, the anonymous houses of countryside and towns. He became well known for his travel sketches, which he produced throughout his life. After his return to Finland he entered numerous architectural competitions, although few of his entries were executed. After a trip to Italy in 1926 he was commissioned to design the interior of the Capitol cinema in Helsinki, taking his inspiration from the ancient site of Pompeii. In Töölö Church (1927–30) he combined Mediterranean motifs with Functionalist elements and a skilful manipulation of the surrounding space. Ekelund’s main work of the 1920s was the Art Exhibition Hall (1927–8) in Helsinki, where one can see the influence of many of the most important exhibition buildings and pavilion projects of Scandinavian Classicism. His airy perspective drawings for the urban planning competition for the Töölö area of Helsinki (1925) also hold an important place in the history of Finnish architecture.