This year marks the twelfth time the Finlandia Prize for Architecture is awarded by the Association of Finnish Architects (SAFA*).
The sight of the Katajanokan Laituri building, surrounded by the brick, stone and concrete that, to date, have defined its setting, is an arresting one, Tapio Luoma Archbishop remarks.
“And yet, the real surprise, as it turns out, awaits you within. The soaring timber structures above the open-plan foyer create a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere that invites the visitor to take a moment and sit a while on the large circular bench provided here with their comfort in mind,” Luoma writes in his comments.
The archbishop was also impressed by the presence of the natural world within the development, not only in the roof garden, but throughout the interior too.
“At times, the abundance of wood leaves you feeling as if you’ve found yourself enveloped by a forest. The building may have been intended as an office and hotel, but from time to time it succeeds in transporting you to another dimension altogether.”
Katajanokan Laituri invites visitors to engage with the building’s wider setting: “The skylight and the windows that ceaselessly encircle the facade blur the distinction between inside and outside,” Luoma says.
Design that blends professional curiosity with a commitment to sustainability
Katajanokan Laituri was built last year on a high-profile site at the Finnish capital’s waterfront. In their comments, members of the pre-selection jury described it as “flagship for Finnish wood architecture”.
The white building comprises the headquarters of Finnish renewable materials specialist Stora Enso and a Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4. Stora Enso also supplied the building’s timber frame. The building is owned by the Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company. Katajanokan Laituri is LEED Platinum certified.
Although it houses a company head office and hotel, the building is also open to the public. On the ground floor there is a public foyer, cafe and restaurants, while the roof terrace above is home to a seating area and bar.
“Truly exceptional and highly creative” is how lead architect Selina Anttinen describes the project.
“From the beginning, this project was characterised not only by a high degree of ambition and professional curiosity but also by its commitment to sustainability. It is a joy and a privilege to share this prize with everyone who contributed to the end result, from the client to the designers and the builders.”
Anttinen is delighted that, in his comments, Tapio Luoma has chosen to highlight the architectural experience the building offers to visitors.
“Buildings bring us together, but how we perceive and experience them is always personal. That’s why I think it’s so important for architecture to create space for different perspectives, to foster engagement, and to invite interpretation. Ultimately, it is the experiences that a building affords us, whether private or collective, that allow it to endure.”
Katajanokan Laituri was designed by Anttinen Oiva, Selina Anttinen (principal architect), Vesa Oiva and Teemu Halme (lead designer).
The development was joined on the Finlandia Prize for Architecture shortlist by the Finland Hall renovation project, the Meander housing development and the Vuosaari bioenergy heating plant.
About the Finlandia Prize for Architecture
The Finlandia Prize for Architecture is awarded for the design or renovation design of an outstanding new building or building complex that has been completed within the past three years. The prize may be awarded either to a Finnish or foreign architect, or to an architectural firm for a project designed for a location in Finland; or to a Finnish architect or architectural firm for a project designed for a location abroad.
The purpose of the prize is to promote the appreciation of high-quality architecture and to highlight the importance of architecture in generating cultural value and increasing well-being.
Wood construction brings wellness and captures carbon
"The building not only reduces emissions—it contains about 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide within its structures, equivalent to the building's own emissions over the next 50 years. Wood is also a light yet durable material, creating better work and living environments and a more pleasant soundscape both on construction sites and in the finished building," says Antto Kauhanen, Stora Enso's Sales and Business Development Manager for Building Solutions.
"Wood structures also possess biophilic qualities: visual appeal, acoustic quality, and an overall wellness-enhancing effect," continues Kauhanen."
> Read more about the Finlandia Prize for Architecture
*The Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) is a non-profit professional organisation engaged in active efforts to promote architecture and high-quality living environments. Established in 1892, SAFA has approximately 3,100 members, all of whom are architects with a university degree. SAFA also has around 800 student members.
