Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries! Submit your best projects now.
Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries!
Submit your best projects now.

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki
Riikka Kantinkoski

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki

Applied products
View all applied products

Completed in 1952, the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki is a landmark of the functionalist era. Fyra’s mission was to update the hotel venues but at the same time, preserve the atmosphere of the 50s and respect the original design. During the decades, the building was both repaired and renovated, so the key function was to visually unify the different parts of the building. In the process, lobby areas, rooms, floor corridors as well as the 10th floor restaurant were renewed. As the building is partially protected, the Helsinki City Museum was included as a partner in the project.

photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski
photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski

During the process, the former 5th floor of the Sokos department store was transformed to new hotel rooms. In the renovation of the hotel, as much as possible of the original was kept – for example doors and brass numbering were preserved and refurbished and the old armchairs were re-upholstered. Unity was also created by bringing similar bird reliefs to the rooms as in the lobby areas. The lobby reception desk was renovated and at the same time the original furniture and lamps were refurbished.

photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski
photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski

The 10th floor restaurant hall is a partially protected site with many culturally and historically valuable elements such as the original chandeliers designed by Paavo Tynell. As the key factor of the restaurant is the view over the center of Helsinki, the obstructions in front of the view were removed to open the landscape even more, and the terrace was completely renovated. The restaurant is designed to operate from morning to night by modifying the lighting and different types of furniture.

photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski
photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski
photo_credit Riikka Kantinkoski
Riikka Kantinkoski

Material Used :
1. Artek - Domus
2. L´abbate - Grado
3. Normann Copenhagen - Sum
4. Poiat - Lavitta lounge
5. Gebrüder Thonet Vienna - Hideout Lounge 
6. Gubi - Stay Lounge chair Small Wood base
7. Normann Copenhagen - Sum
8. Fredericia - Swoon ottoman
9. Fredericia - Pon Model 1290
10. Rubn - Lektor floor
11. Astro - Versailles
12. Gubi - Tynell 9464
13. Örsjö - Star6 + Star3
14. Gubi - Tynell 1965
15. Tuote: Santa&Cole - Moragas
16. Gubi - Tynell 5321
17. Marset - Ginger
18. Gubi - Tynell 9602
19. Santa&Cole - Dórica
20. Flos - Mini Glo Ball Wall
21. Carpets - Koolmat Oy
22. Curtains - Kvadrat

Project credits

Architects
Photographers

Product spec sheet

Manufacturers
Manufacturers
Stay Lounge Chair Tynell 9464 Tynell 1965 Tynell 5321 Tynell 9602 by GUBI
Manufacturers
Swoon Pon by Fredericia Furniture
Manufacturers
Moragas Lamp Dórica by Santa & Cole
Manufacturers

Project data

Project Year
2020
Category
Hotels
Share or Add Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki to your Collections