Artek Offices – Helsinki
Part office and part working showroom, the new 5000 square-foot Artek space is an open, light and airy environment that showcases the finest selection of their products as well as those of parent company Vitra.
SevilPeach Architecture + Design completed the design for Finnish furniture company, Artek, located in Helsinki, Finland.
Artek’s new premises are situated on the 4th floor of a converted elegant 19th century apartment building. Located in the city centre opposite the iconic Stockmann department store, it is just a short walk away from the Artek shop. The 470m2 space previously comprised a series of small rooms, reached via long, dark internal corridors with no visual connections to the outside.
Whilst serving as Artek’s headquarters, the brief requested that the new office should also act as a ‘working showroom’ for architects and dealers. Vitra’s role as parent company and its competence in office furniture was also to be demonstrated by combining Vitra and Artek products in a harmonious and functional way.
The new environment therefore had to achieve multiple goals: convey ‘Artek’s Spirit’ through its planning and use of materials, create a democratic environment with maximum daylight as well as showcase the right balance between Artek and Vitra products.
With a fast track programme of seven months from start to completion, the design process had to be highly efficient. The challenging schedule affected the choice of materials used. Although some finishes appear raw and ‘as found’, much consideration was given to their strategic selection and detailing.
The primary goal was to strip the space back to its bare structure in order to gain additional ceiling height and create an open, light and airy environment – a blank canvas which acts as a clean backdrop for the products and the activities.
Five intimate human-scale work zones are supported by two meeting rooms. A central break-out area with an open kitchen hosts a library with soft seating alongside dining tables with flexible layout options. In addition, facilities such as a sample library, chair rack, cloakroom, lockers, bathrooms and a copy & print area complete the diverse office environment.
With the space being stripped back to its structural shell, all the individual zones have become interconnected with beautiful vistas, including views to the outside. The enfilade creates a continuous perception of space and allows for easy and immediate communication between the various team spaces.
All doors are omitted with the exception of meeting rooms and bathrooms. The sense of corridor is dissolved through a series of large and small openings. They visually connect the team areas and the social heart. Through the introduction of a seating bench, the rear corridor becomes a habitable place.
Designed to allow the users to work in a varied way, the workplace flexibly suits their task in hand and their mood. Whilst they are provided with dedicated desks, users are encouraged to use the entire environment: working soft from a sofa; settling down at an informal meeting table; working sitting or standing.
At the centre of the plan, the spacious social hub fosters communication and impromptu meetings, invites for touchdown work and is flexibly furnished to allow for events to be hosted.
A seamless industrial poured floor finish is introduced to all areas. Its neutral grey tone blends in with the roughly textured acoustic strand boards used underneath the structural soffit. In order to maximise the ceiling height, all HVAC installations are exposed and painted white.
The ‘raw’ atmosphere is enriched by the introduction of bold coloured curtains. These conceal and frame the sample library, chair display, storage, archive, lockers, write-on and pin-up boards. Improving the office acoustics through their softness, the curtains equally form a theatric setting to the functional galvanized steel shelving units behind. Depending on whether the curtains are open or closed, the perception of the space can switch between that of a vivid workshop or a serene workplace. Furthermore, the curtain colours provide an intuitive orientation throughout the space, as each zone has a different tone.
The formal meeting room is wrapped with curtains that create a soft, embracing atmosphere whilst concealing presentation walls and providing good acoustics. Visitors are drawn to the views out onto the historic city centre. Materials and details used for the purpose-made kitchen counter – lino fronts, birch handles and a tiled counter top – are a subtle homage to Artek’s heritage and craftsmanship.
The concept for the work environment is welcoming and friendly with a collage of furniture from Artek and Vitra. Whilst both companies have a strong DNA, their products effortlessly merge to create a harmonious contemporary interior.
Linear Belux lights that are suspended slightly below the exposed HVAC installations create a bright yet restrained illumination. They are accompanied by a second light layer of decorative Artek light fittings which add a soft and homely ambiance to specific areas.
Pieces from Artek’s art collection are displayed throughout the space. The extensive book collection is housed in the central library, allowing employees as well as visitors to browse through decades of architecture, design and art.
Designer: SevilPeach Architecture + Design
Photography: Tuomas Uusheimo
