United Bankers

United Bankers used to have both working facilities and meeting rooms situated on two floors.

Now the company wanted the facilities to be clearly distinguishable which lead to allocating the event venue its own floor.

”It was a radical change. Walls were torn down creating a more open space”, Friman says.

When you enter the premises you feel the welcoming atmosphere immediately and get a sense of finding your way: the reception area was placed in the middle with the meeting rooms visible in the background.

The walls are mobile partitions made from elegant wood veneer. When pulled aside, the space becomes an event room for 50 people and can be used for entertaining clients or for results’ announcements and other staff occasions.

By moving the walls also smaller meeting rooms can be created. The partitions provide good sound absorption.

“We deal with clients’ confidential matters”, Ojanperä says.

For the same reason visual privacy is taken into special consideration. The glass walls in the meeting rooms allow light to travel. Airy and light curtains can be drawn to provide privacy for the clients in the meeting rooms.

Fyra approached creating a prestigious feel as one does with any luxury product: with the best materials possible and meticulous attention to details. And, of course, using finishing touches that would pass even the most scrupulous inspection by the design police.

Marble, brass and dark wood were chosen for the space. The colour scheme is neutral with a Scandinavian feel: large light grey floor tiles and meeting room carpets that echo the same tone.

The colour black was chosen for some of the walls and wood veneer for the mobile partitions.

Cognac leather is featured prominently in the meeting room furniture. Every skirting board and seam, every detail is executed with utmost care. The general atmosphere is peaceful and sophisticated – it inspires and conveys trust.

One of the objectives Wärtsilä set for the premises was to bring in colour. Fyra’s Sihto tells that she decided to keep the main lobby elegant and minimalist using the brand colours, blue and orange, to add accent. Colours were the main feature in all other floors. This is how the layering of colours came about. There were combinations of two colours using blue, green and orange.

“We used all shades of those colours to really liven up the spaces”, says Sihto describing the results.

Corrugated iron – inspiration drawn from shipping containers – was used in versions of steel and wood throughout the building to bring the interior together.

Fyra made all decisions by keeping the employees and their working methods in mind: people need to thrive and the facilities must support their work. Floors and furniture create a harmonious space that adapts easily to the changing demands in everyday work.

The fifth floor acts as a finishing touch to the comfortable working environment: Café Femma takes up the entire floor. It’s a space ideal for lunch, coffee break or work. With Fyra’s vision Café Femma now resembles an actual coffee shop.

And what else do people do there besides eat and drink?

“First and foremost, it is a place where people who work in different projects and different departments can interact and hang out”, says Hollfast smiling.

A successful project is a result of seamless, close cooperation between Fyra, the client and the subcontractor, for example, a fixtures and fittings contractor.

“Having a great plan is not enough. The execution, too, needs to be flawless”, states Friman.

United Bankers’ John Ojanperä is pleased with Fyra.

“The people at Fyra were always available and able to react to even the quickest of demands and deadlines. They are both professional as well as flexible.”

Fyra’s Friman emphasises the fact that good design begins with listening to the client.

“It’s not enough to have a beautiful space. It has to be functional and respond to every need of the client. For me, that’s the end-all and be-all”, Friman says.

United Bankers’ John Ojanperä could not be happier with the outcome.

“It truly became a great space”, he says. “We get lots of positive feedback from our clients as well.”