HELIN & CO ARCHITECTS - architeria.eu

HELIN & CO ARCHITECTS
Urho Kekkonen Street 3B
P.O. Box 1333
Helsinki, Finland
T: (+35) 8207 577 800
www.helinco.fi




ABOUT HELIN & CO ARCHITECTS

The basis of Helin & Co leans on the high quality modern tradition of Finnish and Scandinavian architecture.
Severe climatic circumstances, careful use of resources and particular attention to the relationship between
nature and man made environment are specific features of the Nordic attitude towards architectural design.
Combined with a high standard of living in the affluent society, education, modern technology and services,
this has given for several decades Nordic architecture the position of an important international model in
building and city planning.

There is a short step from this framework to the essential global fundaments of the architecture for the future:
intelligent new solutions with less energy, emissions and materia, high efficiency mixed use integrating
the urban economy of infrastructure to high standard housing, working and services with excellent
functional qualities. The concept general plan for the large new Fornebu area in Oslo, Alberga areal centre
near Helsinki and the new Kamppi urban nucleus in the middle of Helsinki are exquisite examples in the
new direction. Sustainable solutions are introduced in early experiments with the exploitation of the solar
energy in Ylätuvanpolku Housing, in saving energy in the Nokia Headquarters and reducing carbon dioxide
emissions radically in Finnforest Modular Offices building, all near Helsinki.

Increasing the efficiency of existing environments and improving the economy of the infrastructure means
careful supplementary additions to the urban fabric. Valuable historic layers, the meaning of the site and
adjusting the identity of the new organisation are important factors in this segment of architecture. Wärtsilä
Headquarters and Nordea Bank offices as well the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Helsinki reflect in
different circumstances the possibilities of the new surrounded by the old. The refurbishment of the UPM
Headquarters and the big old Main Post Office building in Helsinki are examples of adding the value of the
old premises and fruitful interplay between the past and the new.

Creative work environment has been a successful field for Helin & Co. This is achieved by careful research
and insight into the life and spirit of the organisation in question. Elevating everyday, the ordinary
circumstances, by the means of architecture, clever spatial solutions in connection with sensitive choice
of materials and details, are essential principles of the design process. The goal is inspiring work environment,
which increases energy, increases informal, innovative communication.

Moving from inside out, the idea, how the architecture reflects the identity of the organisation, corporate
image, is a long-term statement for the company. Interpretations in completed buildings for Nokia, UPM,
Wärtsilä, Nordea, both inside and outside have exceeded the expectations of the clients.

In housing architecture comes closest to the human skin. It is also linked most tightly into a cultural context and
especially to the subculture of the users. By profound understanding of the situation and environment together
with correct solutions derived from the way of living and the identity are the means architecture is able to
increase real quality of life. Examples of this are winning entries in international competitions, Pan-Gyo near
Soul and Jåttåvågen in Norway, and buildings in Finland: Sandels apartments for elderly people, HOAS
student housing in Kivikko, Laivapoika housing in Ruoholahti.

Exiting specific smaller interiors for high class communication and exhibitions as well the design of furniture
and other components represent the small scale end of the architecture of Helin & Co. Nokia Brand Room,
UPM Headquarters special interiors, Hewlett Packard e-Commerce Bazaar etc. Imagination - ambient
atmospheres with surprises are combined with the skills of human hand and sensitivity of materials, texture
and colours.

Projects presented on architeria.eu