New Nordic School By The Sea

The headquarters of the mobile game developer Supercell is located in the new and unique Wood City, a massive wooden structure by Anttinen Oiva Architects built right at the entrance to Helsinki’s Jätkäsaari neighborhood. Fyra was given the task by Supercell Oy to design a kindergarten for the same building. The daycare is operated by New Nordic Schools.

Client
Supercell / New Nordic Schools

Location
Helsinki

Area
300 m²

Year
2021

Partners
Anttinen Oiva ArkkitehditPiñata

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski / Otto Virtanen & Joel Hautecoer

Awards

Frame Awards 2022: Institutions (Shortlisted, Honourable mention)

IFI Design Distinction Awards 2022: Learning (Silver)

Expertise Concept Design

Details

Strategy

The needs of the user group – kindergarteners – were mapped in workshops run by the children’s architecture school Arkki. The point of the design process was to create a functional space that would support children’s development and inspire creativity, security and joy.

To create a homely atmosphere, a large open serving kitchen was built in the shared area.  The rest area is designed to be calm and relaxing for nap time, both acoustically and in terms of the feel of the space. The interiors use natural, non-allergenic and genuine hard-wearing materials chosen with kids in mind.

Delivery

The kindergarten is located just off the Baltic Sea, which is why the sea and nature are strong themes that run through the interior design. The organic design language and the abundant use of wood speak both to the building and its surroundings. Wavy and round fish-like shapes soften the space and add to its playfulness.

The animation and illustration studio Piñata created a whole cast of animal characters who adventure around the kindergarten, adding fun little surprises to the space. The wave paintings in the large street-level windows provide protection and privacy from the streets outside.

Team

Niina Sihto

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts

niina.sihto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 508 0332

Anu Latvala

Head of Concepts
Interior Architect

anu.latvala@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 501 6405

Elisa Ryhänen-Derrett

Interior Architect
Designer

elisa.ryhanen-derrett@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 539 6900

Concept Design

With our future-proof design, we cut through complex matters to create novel ideas, business possibilities and innovations. Complexity into simplicity.  

We work in close dialogue with our clients to bring abstract ideas into a concrete shared vision and are committed to creating unified brand experiences, validated concepts and spatial solutions. We create a narrative of the space with a research-based insight and knowledge, as our solutions serve the customer with future oriented, sustainable practises.

Box by Posti is a new concept in the world of self-service stores. In May of 2019, Fyra began to search for an answer to the question of what would the perfect self-service store be like. Posti, Finland’s leading postal and logistics company, was behind the commission.

Client
Posti Group

Location
Helsinki

Area
1100 m²

Year
2019

Partners
Motley

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Awards

IFI Design Distinction Awards 2022: Commerce (Bronze)

Dezeen Awards 2021: Large Retail Interior of the Year (Winner)

Frame Awards 2021: Best Use of Colour (Shortlisted)

Vuoden Huiput 2019: Hopeahuippu

Details

Background

In the spring of 2019, consulting company Motley had been given an assignment. Posti wanted the company to design the service concept for a new self-service store. Motley asked Fyra to become a partner in the project. The aim was to create a new self-service store for online shopping customers. It needed to be something more than just a row of parcel lockers.

Strategy & Delivery

It was clear from the start that the space in central Helsinki needed to accommodate over 600 parcel lockers. In addition, there needed to be fitting rooms for the customers to try their purchases on immediately. The space also needed to look interesting to draw attention when looking in from the street. Motley approached the project from the point of view of creating a service concept. Fyra concentrated on interior architecture and functionality.

The overall concept of Box by Posti was developed in close cooperation with Motley. The outcome is a harmonious space where the parcel lockers act as a backdrop giving room for the customers to try on their purchases, perhaps make returns and send packages. Special attention has been paid to the recycling of packaging materials.

The space was to be functional as well as intuitive for the user. With different colours assigned to different areas of activity, the customer instinctively follows a path finding their way around the facility. The collaborating companies also set out to create a visually compelling interior for it to stand on its own, separate from the existing brand imagery, and to represent Posti’s renewed identity.

The concept of Box by Posti as well as the interior design was executed swiftly: Finland’s first Box by Posti was opened in the centre of Helsinki in the beginning of November. There is an area called Spotlight in the front section. It can be used by online companies do present their products to the consumers. Near the entrance is also an area with staff always ready to help. There are couches so the customer can take a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee. The parcel lockers are in the background.

Team

Niina Sihto

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts

niina.sihto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 508 0332

Anu Latvala

Head of Concepts
Interior Architect

anu.latvala@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 501 6405

Emma Keränen

Interior Architect
Designer

Sara Koivisto

Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219

In the spring of 2020 Skanska Homes began the process of renovating their home stores. The goal was to improve the accessibility, visibility, functionality and visuality of the stores and thus provide customers with a fluent, enjoyable, and reliable customer experience.

Client
Skanska Homes

Location
Helsinki

Year
2021

Partners
Motley

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Details

Background

Comprehensive service and interior design concept was generated through workshops involving customers and staff into mapping the different development needs. Relying on this thorought groundwork, Fyra and Motley created a vision for an inspiring, holistic customer experience. To best serve these development needs, the old home store concept would undergo a comprehensive reformation. Skanska Studio was born.

Strategy & Delivery

The first Skanska Studio was located at street level on Mannerheimintie in Helsinki. The vision was to create a “housing laboratory”, an easy-to-use and visually pleasing studio space where customers could make material choices for their houses and even make the decision to purchase a new home.

Different tools, such as tablets and touch screens, were added so that customers could familiarize themselves with different materials spontaneously without having to reserve an appointment with the customer service representative in advance. The space designed for Skanska Studio is also ideal for organizing professional and customer events.

The visual outlook of the studio was intended to act as a clean canvas for a variety of different presentation materials. To make the process of operating with different materials easier for customers, a themed color principle was created. According to this color principle different materials are easy to find and put back in place.

Sustainable construction was made strongly visible in Skanska Studio, which in turn encourages customers to choose materials with a sustainable state of mind. In the future the new concept of Skanska Studios will be brought across the country.

Team

Tiina Närkki

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and RE development

tiina.narkki@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 536 3530

Jasmin Wegelius

(on parental leave)
Interior Architect
Designer

jasmin.wegelius@fyra.fi

+358 (0)400 426 926

Sara Koivisto

Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219

The palatial Erottaja Neo-Renaissance building – a landmark essential to Helsinki’s architectural heritage – will be converted into office spaces and restaurants in a renovation beginning in autumn 2019.

Client
Trevian

Location
Helsinki

Year
2019

Partners
DrumDynamo & Son Zoan

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Details

Background

Before the project, Trevian, a real estate investment and asset management company, put the marketing of the project out to tender. Interior Architects Fyra won the interior design bid. It was a cooperation project together with creative agency Dynamo & Son and PR agency Drum.

Strategy & Delivery

Fyra’s assignment was to portray how the Neo-Renaissance building from 1891 and the Art Nouveau space from 1905 can function as a modern working environment. That vision was then used in planning the advertisement material and site visits. Fyra designed a visual customer journey map in the premise and chose the spaces that were to be renovated and through which you can walk and experience the interior.

 

 

Fyra brought the space to life by creating a contrast to the opulent details and bold colours. Modern Finnish furniture and large carpets were used to soften, balance out and add a contemporary vibe to the premises. Fyra provided also the designs of the 3D images for the advertisement video. In the video, behind each door and in the courtyard, everything is Fyra’s handiwork. 3D models: Zoan

Team

Niina Sihto

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts

niina.sihto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 508 0332

Sara Koivisto

Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219

In July 2018 technology company Solita chose Fyra to create a new key concept for their premises. At the same time, it would change the working culture of the growing company.

Client
Solita

Location
Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Lahti, Stockholm, Tallinn

Year
2019

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Details

Background

Solita chose Fyra to address a challenge that had come up in the business: how to create a space that enables growth without the addition of actual square metres. The company had already conducted utilisation rate calculations and employee surveys. Fyra reviewed the initial data, participated in group interviews and helped create the vision the company had for their spaces.

Strategy & Delivery

The result was a concept tailored to take into consideration the changing needs of both individuals as well as teams. There were different types of spaces. One of them, Daily, was built in the immediate vicinity of the team huts. It was a place for the teams to have their daily 15-minute stand-up meeting. The workstation areas consist of flexible solutions so teams can grow or become smaller without major changes.

The important thing for a growth company is to be able to meet clients and stakeholders. This is now easy with the Meet up venue area. A great deal of conference rooms with efficient use of space were designed. All equipped with great video technology enabling working from wherever you are in Finland – or in the world. On the other hand, a shared café provides a natural way for employees to come together which, in turn, supports innovation.

The concept was tested in the smaller Solita offices in Turku, Lahti and Tallinn as well as in a separate pilot space in Tampere. Each location provided new information and the concept was developed accordingly. A well-prepared space concept enabled the completion of the Helsinki offices in six months from signing the lease to the new location.

Despite the tight schedule, the Helsinki office, too, has a lot of custom furniture and fixtures designed specifically for the premises. A well-thought-out and flexible concept ensures effortless growth for Solita in the future also.

Team

Tiina Närkki

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and RE development

tiina.narkki@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 536 3530

Heini Korpinen

Interior Architect
Designer

Niina Ojutkangas

Head of Insight &
Workplace Development
Interior Architect SIO

niina.ojutkangas@fyra.fi

+358 (0)45 224 1014

Sara Koivisto

Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219