Real estate development Archives - Gullstén-Inkinen

Renovation of Mikonkatu 9 proceeds to topping out

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:35:06 +0000

The renovation of a historically solemn property at Mikonkatu 9 in Helsinki has proceeded to the topping-out phase. To be completed in the end of autumn, this renovation provides the new building users with modern premises designed with respect for the original architecture of the functionalist building. Gullstén-Inkinen is the head designer and architectural designer in this project.

Mikonkatu 9 in 2014.

The robust red-brick property in the Kluuvi district of Helsinki boasts solemn functionalism. Designed by Jussi and Toivo Paatela and built in 1929 to function as the head office of Atlas Bank, the building is currently owned by insurance company Ilmarinen. Atlas Bank failed, however, and was united with an investment bank (Helsingin Osakepankki) already in the end of 1929. After this, the banking floor served for many years as a cinema called Bio Rea. Since 1994, the former banking floor has served as a restaurant.

Now the property is being completely renovated. The building services systems, interior structures, surface materials and furniture of this eight-storey building will be renewed. Its offices will become modern, flexible premises for versatile use.

The need for renovation is based on repair deficit.

“Technically, the building was at the end of its lifecycle. In order to function as a modern office building, its twenty-year-old technology did not produce the features that building users expect,” says Ville Laurila, leasing manager at Ilmarinen.

A listed functionalist building

The building is listed for its outer shell as well as interiors. Its zoning status is SR-1, which means that the building or its structures cannot be demolished or changed so that their cultural, historical or architectural value is reduced. All renovations must be negotiated with the museum authorities.

Head designer of the project, architect (SAFA) and interior architect (SIO), Jari Inkinen, is responsible for considering the protection of these values during the renovation.

“Although the upper floor offices will be completely modern and open, some of the street-level premises will be restored to their original aspect. In cooperation with the specialists of the Helsinki City Museum, we’ve found design and implementation solutions that meet the objectives of all project parties,” Inkinen says.

The building permit application prepared by Gullstén-Inkinen was submitted in January 2017. The work started in the summer of 2017.

Future operations are based on interaction

The basis of the renovation is to create premises that allow flexible use of space.

“Regarding building services systems, we’re aiming at solutions that allow flexible use of space in both short and long term,” Ville Laurila says. “We wanted to design the building’s structure so that the premises on the second floor and above can be flexibly transformed to meet the needs of companies of various sizes and lifecycles. A wide specification like this obviously adds an angle to the designer’s work.”

Flexibility in the use of space is one of the business prerequisites of the future building operator. They offer coworking space and base their business on strong interaction among the tenants.

“With Jari Inkinen, we went to London to visit similar projects. We wanted to find out how the premises must function in order to create human interaction and boost encounters as effectively as possible,” Laurila explains. “The property at Mikonkatu 9 fits this type of concept really well. Its building frame is of optimal depth. The two stairways and the third to be built will increase the potential to divide the building and move between and access the floors.”

According to Laurila, Gullstén-Inkinen has succeeded as the head designer of this demanding project. The new building operator is also happy with their future premises. Laurila particularly appreciates Gullstén-Inkinen’s innovative approach and enthusiasm about the project.

“Jari Inkinen and his team are passionate about this project and really believe in it as well as the business of the future building operator. This can be seen in the design solutions as well as the zeal to lead the project forward.”

The project has proceeded in schedule without any major obstacles.

The topping-out ceremony took place 17 May 2018. Catering for the occasion was provided by the chefs of the restaurant section to be located on the ground floor of the building. The property is about to house another restaurant dedicated to the building users.

The premises are to be handed over to the tenants in the end of autumn 2018.

The property is located on the Mikonkatu street in the centre of Helsinki next to Ateneum, the Finnish national gallery.

Text: Minna Helkiö
Photos: Ilmarinen

Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture is the largest design agency in the Nordic countries specializing in architectural and interior design and real estate renovation. Our award-winning agency provides individualized, cost-efficient and sustainable design solutions for offices, hotels, restaurants, public spaces and real estate renovation projects.

We also offer top-quality workplace development services for businesses and organizations looking to foster a better work culture, improve internal communications or boost overall employee productivity.

Read more about our projects.

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European Architects Alliance visited GI’s office

admin — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 10:04:14 +0000

The European Architects’ Alliance is a consortium of architectural and design firms with more than twenty offices across Europe such as Denmark, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Turkey, Germany, Poland and Italy. The Alliance’s operation is based on cooperation between architectural and design offices in Europe. Cooperation benefits all parties and enables to provide architectural and design services for clients whose requirements transcend national boundaries. As a part of our cooperation, we had a pleasure to host a group of members visiting our office in our semiannual meeting that was organized week ago.

During their visit, our guests also got to know the beautiful Archipelago of Helsinki as we took them sailing.

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Building permit for Mikonkatu 9 has been submitted and is waiting for approval!

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 10:08:53 +0000

Mikonkatu 9 -project has reached one of the vital milestones: the building permit for has been submitted and is waiting for approval. The Building is centrally located robust red-brick building in the Kluuvi district and it is owned by Ilmarinen. The SR 1 -listed historic building will be renovated respecting its original architecture and history.

The building is from 1928 and it is designed by architects Jussi and Toivo Paatela. It was originally the head office of the Atlas Bank. After the 1929’s Stock Market Crash the bank interior was transformed into movie theatre Bio Rea for many decades.

Nowadays the building is a multi-user-house with office and retail spaces and the use will remain the same after the renovation. The objective for the project is to apply LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification which is a green building certification program that aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

Interior architect Gullstén & Inkinen is responsible for the main and architectural design.

For more information please contact:
tiina.seppala@www.gullsten-inkinen.com or toimitilat@ilmarinen.fi

Picture of the Atlas Bank front door: Sundström Olof 1930, Helsingin kaupunginmuseo

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New issue of Locus magazine features Amer Sports offices

gi — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:37:30 +0000

The real estate and construction trade magazine Locus features a Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture project prominently in its first issue of 2015.

Titled Vanha konepaja sai uuden sydämen (“New Heart for an Old Depot”), the article recounts the transformation of the old Vallila train shop into a modern multi-purpose office and showroom space for sporting goods company Amer Sports. The project was completed last year.

“It’s a building with a soul. It’s interesting to see an old building change and enter a whole new life cycle stage”, tells property manager Matti Puromäki to Locus.

“At Amer Sports’ previous headquarters, each space was designated for one purpose alone. Here all spaces are used in a variety of ways”, adds head designer Jari Inkinen when asked about the cost-efficiency of the new offices.

Visit our Projects page for a pictorial tour into the exciting depths of the 110-year-old building now enjoying a commercial revival.

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Kulmala renovation project in Rakennuslehti

gi — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 11:26:12 +0000

A Finnish magazine concentrating on construction projects wrote an article about Kulmala real estate development project in Lahti. GI is the lead designer in the project. Kulmala is a commercial building build in 1942 and it is located in the city center of Lahti. It’s the city’s landmark. The building is now being fully renovated. The bottom floors will house retail and office tenants and the top floor will have modern apartments. The real estate is owned by A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö.

The story is here in Finnish:

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Finnish construction magazine tells the story of Amer Sports offices’ transformation

gi — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:55:05 +0000

Finnish renovation building magazine Korjausrakentaminen has featured an old train warehouse’s transformation into Amer Sports’ offices in its most recent issue. Read more and see pictures below.

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Logomo Business Park featured in Finnish Prointerior magazine

gi — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 11:38:26 +0000

GI was a part of the team that designed the Logomo business center in Turku. Finnish design magazine Prointerior wrote an article about the project.

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GI made to the final stage of Nordic Built Challenge contest

gi — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 10:10:21 +0000

The Nordic Built Challenge is an open multidisciplinary design contest that was held simultaneously in all the Nordic countries. The contest seeks sustainable and scalable design solutions for the renovation of five specific properties.

In the Finnish competition the building was a government office building named Hippostalo. The building is located in Finland’s second largest city, Tampere. The competition encouraged to develop solutions that were both innovative and sustainable, yet ensuring financial and practical viability.

GI participated in the competition as a member of an international team. The team included engineering company Granlund, Italian experience design consultancy and Belgian energy efficiency consultant. The team got shortlisted to the second phase out of 39 entries. Four entries from each five countries made it to the final phase. A quote of the jury’s statement on our team’s entry: A proposal presenting an idea of pointing out the importance and possibility to encourage people to adapt eco-efficient ways of using IT-solutions. Well-presented work environment zoning.

The country-winners were announced September 11^th 2013 in Stockholm. Among the five country winner a final Nordic winner is chosen. They will be awarded with NOK 1.000.000 for the best overall demonstration of the Nordic Built Charter.

GI congratulates the winner of the Finnish contest, KVA Arkkitehdit and their team and wishes them the best luck in the final phase.

More information: http://www.nordicinnovation.org/nordicbuilt/the-challenge/

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GI chosen as the first member of the European Architects’ Alliance in the North

gi — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:26:43 +0000

GI Design & Architecture is the first Nordic interior design company that has been invited to join the European Architects’ Alliance. EAA has a network of over 20 architect and design companies over Europe and it operates globally.

The Alliance’s operation is based on cooperation that benefits all parties. With over 650 professionals the alliance has extensive expertise in multiple design fields. Client base include companies such as Disney, Discovery Channel, JP Morgan and Vodafone. Membership is only by recommendation of a member. GI’s referee was the London office of an American consulting company IA with who GI has worked with internationally. The membership helps GI export Finnish know-how to the international markets and gives GI considerable competitive advantage.

One of GI’s strengths is its networks and successful work history in Russia and the Baltics. GI has been ranked first for two consecutive years in the Best Office Awards competition in the “Comfort and Ergonomics” category. The competition is organized by Russian design and architecture magazine Project Next. The award gala is held annually in Moscow.

GI’s participation in Finland’s first LEED certified building project was also a key factor in the membership selection. From the very beginning of its operating days GI has been promoting environmental awareness in design. GI was the first design company in the world to be accepted in WWF’s Green Office network.

GI is also a member of both the Finnish-Russian as well as the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce.

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