Backround
House of Culture
From Queen to Led Zeppelin, the iconic event space House of Culture, Helsingin Kulttuuritalo, owned by Helsingin Kulttuurihub, has played host to a plethora of legendary performers throughout its years of operation. In the autumn of 2023, House of Culture underwent a comprehensive revitalization, overseen by Helsingin Kulttuurihub and the new venue and event operator ASM Global. Fyra was involved as the principal architectural designer, while JKMM Interiors worked as the interior designers. The project focused on refurbishing and enhancing the public areas of the epochal event hall originally designed by Alvar Aalto in 1958, a site designated for preservation under the Building Protection Act since 1989.
Client
Helsingin Kulttuurihub, ASM Finland
Location
Helsinki
Area
Aaltosali 1150 m², Alppisali 465 m²
Year
2024
Partners
JKMM Interiors
Photography
Hannu Rytky
Expertise Real Estate Development
Strategy
The primary emphasis of the restoration and renovation efforts for the public areas has been on establishing a functional setting for events, all the while paying tribute to the cultural and historical significance of the protected building. Alongside the building, the scope of protection extends to its intended purpose – program and civic activities, for which operating conditions must be secured in the future. ASM Finland’s vision aimed to broaden the venue’s appeal, transcending traditional boundaries of genres. The strategy involved curating unique experiences and events, catering to diverse audiences from large-scale concerts and corporate gatherings to electronic club nights.
Delivery
The most significant and visible transformation work has been carried out in Alppisali, revitalizing the space that has stood dormant for years. Originally designed as a cinema and undergoing different renovations over years, Alppisali has been revived and is now operational as “Kult”, a black box type DJ and live music club accommodating over 300 patrons. The original brick foyer by Alvar Aalto and the entrance at the south end of the House of Culture, which has been out of use for years, were also integrated into the black box club. The clubbing will also expand into the underused Peilisali, a versatile and intimate event space.
The design process for the Kult club and other public areas was a collaborative effort involving Helsingin Kulttuurihub, ASM Finland, Fyra, and JKMM Interiors. Furthermore, Fyra, in its role as the principal designer, undertook the task of expanding the capacity of Aaltosali. This expansion enables the lower auditorium to function flexibly, accommodating both seated and standing audiences.
Team
Merja Virkkunen
Architect
Principal Designer
merja.virkkunen@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 515 3697
Tasked with designing modern loft-style offices within a historic building, Fyra joins a real estate development project as a principal designer
Partnering with real estate developer Cobbleyard, Fyra is undertaking a mission as a principal designer to design functional and appealing office spaces in Konelabra, a historic redbrick property in Helsinki’s city center. Located at Eerikinkatu 32-36, this site was originally constructed in 1925 and 1933 for the University of Technology, boasting a rich heritage and unique character.
Now, as part of the Konelabra project, this space is being renovated into modern loft spaces, meticulously preserving its historical integrity while infusing it with modern features. Prioritizing sustainability, the renovation will preserve and improve the space, allowing it to continue thriving well beyond its 100 years of history.
See further information here.
Real Estate Development
Complex interplay between the tangible and the intangible, between the practical and the idealistic, but always with respect to the past and an eye to the future.
We offer services from simple test fits to comprehensive development projects where the entire property can be transformed into new use. We aim to be involved from the beginning of the project, to best understand the needs of the property owner and the different possibilities of the space in question.
Our focus is to redesign and preserve existing buildings, aiming to find the best functionalities and to make the life cycles longer by finding the best solutions for the property owners.
With our in-house 3D designers, we produce high-quality digital twins of the properties that offer help in managing property-related information. For the property owner we offer a strong vision, market distinctiveness and therefore a certainty of added value.
Strategy & Delivery
Espoo Campus Family Centre
Espoo’s first family center Campus brings a wide range of services for families with children under one roof. Fyra was the principal designer for the project, aiming to transform the former industrial and office building from the 1980’s into a homely place with approachable coziness. Creating a safe feeling in a non institutional-like space was the cornerstone of this project, which incorporated the user group right from the start.
Client
City of Espoo
Location
Espoo
Year
2022
Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski
Expertise ArchitectureReal Estate Development
Team
Tiina Närkki
Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and RE development
tiina.narkki@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 536 3530
Jere Toivonen
Architect
jere.toivonen@fyra.fi
+358 (0)41 312 8617
Maija Leskelä
Interior Architect
Furniture Designer
M.A. (Cultural Anthropology)
maija.leskela@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 041 2322
Merja Virkkunen
Architect
Principal Designer
merja.virkkunen@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 515 3697
Background
Valimo Park
Constructed in 1996, the Valimo Park building was originally designed to house a single company. The building was renovated in 2019 to suit the needs of a variety of users, with Fujitsu continuing to occupy the building as the main tenant. During the renovation, the entire office space was modernised with the old school cubicles being replaced with modern, hybrid work environment.
Client
Varma
Location
Helsinki
Area
10 000 m²
Year
2019
Partners
L Arkkitehdit
Photography
Sampsa Pärnänen
Expertise Real Estate Development
Strategy & Delivery
Fyra was responsible for the concept design and the interior architecture of the common areas in the first and seventh floor. In addition to serving the users of the building, the first-floor common areas and services were designed to appeal to the surrounding community as well. The upper seventh floor of the building was converted into representative premises with new meeting rooms, collaborative areas and naturally a sauna.
Team
Niina Sihto
Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts
niina.sihto@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 508 0332
Tiina Närkki
Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and RE development
tiina.narkki@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 536 3530
Merja Virkkunen
Architect
Principal Designer
merja.virkkunen@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 515 3697
Heini Korpinen
Interior Architect
Designer
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
Expertise Concept DesignReal Estate Development
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
(on parental leave)
Interior Architect
Concept Designer
sara.koivisto@fyra.fi
+358 (0)50 365 7219