The oldest part of the Paasitorni building, completed in 1908, is late Art Nouveau in style. The building's facade, main staircase and the Congress Hall are expertly decorated with images of tools and symbols depicting various occupations to highlight the skill of the craftsman. In the 1918 Finnish Civil War, the Reds made the building their headquarters. The Germans who had come to the aid of the Whites fired on the Workers' House heavily during the Battle of Helsinki. The tower and the Congress Hall were severely damaged and had to be rebuilt after the war. The Congress Hall's Art Nouveau chandeliers dating back to 1919 were designed by Karl Lindahl.