12/08-08   -   Press releases

Finnish Ergonomics in High Tech Hub

– architecture, design, milieu and engineering landscaping

Global companies require global solutions! Today when modern office buildings are constructed, architects, engineers and interior designers work in unison to create and meet all the requirements set by local legislation, environmental standards, information technology and ultimately the clientÂ…and those demands are meticulous.

The proverbial location, location, location is the case for Finnish based Neste Oil’s new corporate headquarters, an unobstructed seafront location along the Ring 1 road, and in close proximity to some other leading multinationals in their sector i.e. Nokia and Kone, in Espoo. That said, location is important, but so are convenience, design, efficiency, appeal and functionality. And that mix is truly a challenging task for all stakeholders. The site for these multi-million dollar companies is known as the Keilalahti High-Tech Hub.

Six buildings are already occupied or nearing completion. Neste Oil has already moved into their two ’Scandinavian interior’ inspired buildings with an option for a third. “On ground floor level, the modernistic structures will be linked by a service floor with a restaurant, conference and lobby facilities. Each floor of the seven-storey buildings has an area of about 1,000 m² that can be split between the users into either an open plan office or individual rooms. A single floor can house approx. 50-80 workstations," says architect Erkki Karonen, of Gullichsen Vormala Architects (est. 1973).

An important feature when designing these buildings is lighting coupled with energy efficiency. “We took into consideration the use of natural daylight as much as possible, creating an atmosphere of space and environmental awareness; by using wood paneling in the entrance foyer, for instance, we have achieved an aesthetically pleasing and modern look for employees and guests," Karonen explains.

The materials used are from Finland, and include lacquered oak panels lining the walls, giving a natural and harmonic look with clean lines. “The ceilings have been designed to give the ultimate in acoustic properties and soundproofing. Puucomp’s flexibility and operational efficiency made it possible to achieve the required architectural design and complete the project on time," says Karonen.

A modern and uncluttered office interior is important for the employees within an organization, enabling them to work in a convenient and efficient work area, which reflects the corporate culture of a company. “The open office spaces provide unrestricted access, keeping the communications flow between departments unimpeded. Moreover, the Neste Oil buildings are connected with a bridge. Health and safety issues have also been incorporated into the design of the new buildings in the provision, for example, of twin access routes to office spaces on different levels, utilizing both internal stairs and elevators" Karonen highlights.