EX STORA ENSO’S HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION

The project involves the renovation and adaptive reuse of the former Stora Enso Headquarters, located at Kanavaranta 1, transforming it into a multi-tenant office facility. This transition required significant modifications to ensure compliance with modern fire safety and accessibility standards, all while respecting the architectural integrity of the building.

A key challenge was reorganizing circulation to provide each tenant with compliant fire escape routes. Additionally, accessibility was a major focus of the renovation. For the first time in its history, the rooftop terrace has been made fully accessible and secured with a wind-shield, enabling it to serve as an outdoor space for the new restaurant that replaces the former cafeteria. The main entrance has also been upgraded with a seamlessly integrated stone ramp, ensuring full accessibility while preserving the original design language of the building.

The renovation was guided by principles of minimal intervention and reversibility, particularly in relation to the listed elements of the building. Every new addition has been carefully designed, striking a balance between respecting Alvar Aalto’s original details and maintaining a distinct, contemporary identity.

Rather than replicating historical elements, the new interventions remain clearly identifiable, ensuring a respectful yet recognizable dialogue between past and present.

As part of the project, custom furniture was designed for the lobby in collaboration with Italian designer Paolo Ulian. Repurposed marble slabs from the building’s past renovations were used, establishing a meaningful connection between contemporary interventions and the site’s material history.

LOCATION
Helsinki, Finland

DESIGN TEAM
Ark-byroo Oy (general renovation), Paolo Ulian (lobby interiors)