AkvaCity, Turku's first office building constructed entirely of wood, has been completed in Itäharju, which is transforming into the Turku Science Park.
Developed by Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt, AkvaCity was completed at the end of April at Teollisuuskatu 46. The two-story, 2,400-square-meter building is made entirely of wood, and its primary building material is eco-friendly CLT panels.
AkvaCity will be used in its entirety by Turun Vesihuolto, and approximately 80 employees will move in during May. The new premises will replace Turun Vesihuolto's facilities in Halinen and Kaurakatu, as well as the customer service point at Logomo.
“AkvaCity perfectly met our wishes for a central location and environmental efficiency. We were particularly pleased with the timber structure, which is both eco-friendly and comfortable,” says Irina Nordman, CEO of Turun Vesihuolto.
The goal is for the building's climate benefits to offset the emissions caused by its construction.
AkvaCity was designed by Sarc + Sigge Arkkitehdit, with Jani Vahala as the lead architect. The construction of AkvaCity was carried out by Jatke Länsi-Suomi.
In addition to the recently completed office building, the project includes a hall for Turun Vesihuolto's depot operations, which will be finished in late summer. Furthermore, the site will feature parking spaces, a green courtyard area, and a storage building.
Timber construction enables ambitious environmental goals
AkvaCity will seek the highest level of environmental certification, LEED Platinum. The project's environmental goals are exceptionally ambitious, with timber construction playing a key role in achieving them. The goal is for the building's climate benefits to equal the emissions caused by its construction.
– In the construction, the goal has been to ensure that carbon emissions do not exceed the climate benefits produced by the building. Wood acts as an effective carbon sink and is a highly recyclable material, which is a significant advantage from the perspective of the building's entire lifecycle, says the CEO of Teknologiakiinteistöt, Mikko Lehtinen.
AkvaCity's location in a prominent spot along the entrance route to Turku has also set high criteria for the project's appearance.
– AkvaCity continues the transformation of Itäharju into the Turku Science Park and, much like InfraCity and GeneCity, brings an urban environment to the developing area. We are also happy to welcome Turun Vesihuolto as part of the Science Park community, says Lehtinen.
