The past re-emerges in the present

In the Kamppi district, a palpable sense of renewal now breathes life into a place that once seemed dormant. The imposing red-brick building, which formerly housed the Finnish capital’s School of Technology and had been abandoned in recent years, has been revitalized with a new purpose. It now accommodates workspaces, many of which are occupied by professionals united by a passion for design. This restoration and conversion project demonstrates how, under the banner of a sustainable approach, an existing architectural structure can still serve as the backdrop for a new aesthetic and functional narrative. Indeed, by preserving a series of elements that bear witness to the building’s previous life – floors, doors, baseboards, and furnishings – the intervention now embarks on telling a new story.

Restoring the original environment without concealing its traces – as evidenced by the “mending” of certain floor sections through simple, deliberately exposed grouting – Fyra Design Agency, in collaboration with ARK Helsinki, conceived lightweight solutions. These allow the space to adapt to evolving needs, yet can be removed at any time without “traumatizing” the original structure. The light, the white and cream tones, and the choice of pale wood for the furniture express the gentle accent of the new. It’s not timid; rather, it emerges with a conscious commitment to sobriety, proclaiming beauty and opening up to further seasons of life. And so today, for example, the former hydroelectric laboratory now hosts a company specializing in design furniture, while the former paper laboratory houses an entrepreneurial entity active in the production of ceramic coverings, ABL-Laatat.

Even Fyra Design Agency chose to reside in the newly renovated spaces: “The soul of the original laboratory has been carefully preserved while integrating all essential functions of a contemporary design studio. The heavily damaged tile flooring was restored to its former quality. Existing technical elements, like cranes, electrical panels, and installations, remain as reminders of the building’s history, communicating its story to everyone who visits. A new loft structure added the office functions we needed. Beneath the loft, meeting rooms and focus rooms create a range of environments that support different ways of working.”