Finnish architecture

The Kari Campus in Rauma gathers several important public institutions and amenities under one roof. It consists of swimming and sports halls, a comprehensive school, a music school, an adult education centre and a youth centre. Being together creates significant synergy and savings. Mika Huisman Mika Huisman Sami Saastamoinen Sami Saastamoinen Rauma is a particular town in Finland. Its centre is listed UNESCO World Heritage because of its cherished and well-preserved traditional wooden townscape. The campus sits by the old town, with which the small-scale massing and wooden facades of the new campus blend. Sami Saastamoinen Sami Saastamoinen Sami Saastamoinen Sami Saastamoinen At the heart of the e... More

Lapland Central hospital extension turns the 1980’s hospital into a patient-centered campus that supports active rehabilitation and healing. The new humanely efficient hospital is a public building integrated into the living city, moving away from the concept of an isolated institution. Niclas Mäkelä Niclas Mäkelä Niclas Mäkelä Originally completed in the 1980s, the Lapland Central Hospital was designed by one of Finland’s most renowned hospital architects, Reino Koivula. The extensions double the current premises of the hospital, including e.g. emergency outpatient clinic, observation ward, operation rooms, psychiatric wards and facilities for several supporting functions. The exten... More

Helsinki’s former industrial Katajanokka waterfront is home to Katajanokan Laituri, a solid wood office and hotel building, and the largest mass timber construction in Finland to date. Designed by Helsinki-based architectural studio Anttinen Oiva Architects, the 23,000-square-metre landmark building is certified LEED Platinum. The completion of Katajanokan Laituri contributes to Helsinki’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030. Kalle Kouhia Located in the vicinity of Helsinki ́s famed Market Square, Katajanokan Laituri is the first new building to be built on the Katajanokka waterfront, an area being reimagined as a mixed-use neighbourhood. It is the head office of Stora Enso, a Finnish forestry company and provid... More

Monio High School and Cultural Centre, Finland’s first three-storey timber log public building, showcases a pioneering idea for large-scale Finnish wood construction. Designed by Helsinki-based AOR Architects, Monio is situated in the former garrison area in the centre of Tuusula’s Hyrylä district (Tuusula is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area). Monio’s design reflects the architectural character of the former garrison, drawing inspiration from its historic buildings. AOR Architects has created a distinctive multipurpose public building that connects a developing area of Hyrylä to the town centre. Anders Portman AOR Architects   A continuation of Finnish traditions Monio continues the long t... More

In June 2021 the new archipelago hotel in Barösund, Inkoo opened its doors. Located one hours drive west of Helsinki this hotel is situated right at the sea and the 12 hotel rooms are all located in separate wooden houses for maximum privacy. The hotel complex is planned to fit the unique environment and to have minimal impact on it. Caption Saas has been involved in the project from the start and worked with the Barö team to create a special atmosphere both in the rooms and in the surrounding areas. The lighting in the project is very minimalistic and has been installed only where really needed. The rooms, restaurant and sauna all have large windows with sea- and forest views and so the main focus has been to emphasize thes... More