The newest Werstas, a Kalevala-themed workspace, was completed in DataCity in summer 2023. The starting point for the design of the space has been the utilisation of the existing premises. The architectural and interior design of Kalevala was handled by Pia Sabelström from Arkkitehtitoimisto Sabelström.* What kind of contrasts can be found in Kalevala? And how is the imagery of our national epic reflected in the space?
Red-brick DataCity meets a 2020s coworking space
DataCity is a building familiar to many in the Science Park area, and there was no intention to erase its history. The property's old brick walls were preserved and contrasted with a large amount of glass surface. The goal was to create a modern office environment in Kalevala that still reflects the building's long history.
̶ The Kalevala theme was a natural continuation of the Werstas located in connection to Joki. The theme, which draws inspiration from Finnish nature, partly continues in the interior of Kalevala. In addition to Kalevala-themed illustrations, for example, Saana ja Olli interior wallpapers are found both in Kalevala and Werstas Joki, says Anniina Savisalo, Design Manager and architect at Teknologiakiinteistöt. The interior wallpapers have been supplied by the company Hyssny, which specialises in design acoustics.
However, there is also a touch of something new in Kalevala's work café. The eye-catcher of the space is Jukola Industries' striking Puupaanu-patterned custom wall, which is like a work of art in itself.
Responsible acquisitions and treasures from storage
As a real estate investment company, Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt wants to actively develop its operations to be even more responsible. The company offers furniture rental as a service to its office space customers. This sparked the idea: could existing chairs, tables and lounge furniture in good condition be utilised for the new Werstas?
̶ We didn't have to acquire new furniture, but were able to recycle furniture from our own storage. Some of the furniture was otherwise in good condition but only required reupholstering. For example, the work café sofa and the meeting room chairs were reupholstered, and they now look like new, says Service Manager Katri Pyöli, who was responsible for furniture acquisitions.
The lighting in the meeting rooms has previously been used in other spaces, and now they fit perfectly in Kalevala. Also, the black seats in the entrance lobby may be familiar to some from the meeting rooms of the Werstas in ElectroCity.
̶ A round table and chairs were acquired for the ElectroCity Teräs meeting room at the request of users, and this way we were able to utilise the black chairs here. As a landlord, we want to continuously develop responsibility and set an example of how, by rethinking, even old furniture can be turned into new, fine office entities, Katri Pyöli continues.
Services connect the floors
Kalevala ja Werstas Joki toimivat hyvin yhdessä, ja niiden välillä liikkuminen on helppoa. Monitoimilaite sijaitsee Kalevalassa, kun taas alakerran Joessa on enemmän valikoimaa neuvottelutiloissa. Isompiin tilaisuuksiin on helppo varata Werstaan välitömässä läheisyyydessä sijaitsevia Vierailu- ja innovaatiokeskus Joen tiloja. Molemmissa tiloissa on oma kahviautomaatti, jonka äärellä on helppo vaihtaa kuulumisia myös eri kerrosten toimijoiden välillä.
̶ I am very pleased with the end result. The furniture acquisition as a whole was a large package, and the finished space looks very functional, smiles Katri Pyöli contentedly.
*Arkkitehtitoimisto Sabelström is now part of Lukkaroinen Arkkitehdit.