Teknologiakiinteistöt is developing new premises of approximately 2,400 square metres for Turun Vesihuolto. The office and hall complex, named AkvaCity, will be built in Itäharju at Teollisuuskatu 46.
Teknologiakiinteistöt and Turun Vesihuolto have signed a 25-year lease agreement regarding the AkvaCity to be built in Itäharju. AkvaCity will be constructed on two adjacent plots and will house Turun Vesihuolto’s head office as well as all of the company’s operations, including customer service. The complex consists of two separate buildings, one of which will contain office and social facilities, and the other space suitable for industrial operations. In addition, parking spaces, a green yard area, and a storage building will be constructed on the plots. There will be workstations for approximately 80 people in AkvaCity.
– The new premises will replace our current facilities, which have reached the end of their service life. We have operated in Halinen for a hundred years, and it is important for us to make a long-term commitment to our new premises as well. The new premises fulfill our wish to have all operations under one roof, and it is especially positive to have the customer service desk in the same property as the rest of our operations, says Irina Nordman, CEO of Turun Vesihuolto.
AkvaCity is Teknologiakiinteistöt’s first property complex to be built entirely of wood. It is being developed in accordance with the LEED v4 Platinum level, and the construction process aims to minimize carbon emissions.
– In AkvaCity, everything that can be influenced is done as carbon-neutrally as possible. This is made possible by factors such as wood’s ability to sequester carbon and its excellent recyclability. We aim to ensure that carbon emissions during construction do not exceed the building’s climate benefits, resulting in a balanced carbon footprint and carbon handprint, explains Anniina Savisalo, Design Manager and Architect at Teknologiakiinteistöt.
In AkvaCity, everything that can be influenced is done as carbon-neutrally as possible.
The main construction material for AkvaCity is Cross Laminated Timber, or CLT, which consists of cross-laminated layers of wood. CLT is not only environmentally friendly but also a very strong, rigid, and fire-resistant construction board.
– Finland has long traditions in timber construction. It is fantastic to be involved in creating Teknologiakiinteistöt’s first timber building and to have the opportunity to develop processes for the future of timber construction. In addition to environmental values, a healthy timber building also adds value to occupational well-being, continues Savisalo.
AkvaCity’s location in a prominent position along one of the main approach roads to Turku has set high standards for the appearance of the project. The wood architecture of the simple, beautiful complex—which the architectural firm has even called a ‘jewel box’—has been designed to be visible from the outside.
– The goal is to create an urban-like environment for the developing Itäharju area. Wood and glass alternate on AkvaCity’s facade, and the site development has particularly taken into account green landscaping and stormwater management, which prevents flooding caused by heavy rainfall, says Savisalo.
AkvaCity was designed by Sigge Arkkitehdit and its lead architect is Jani Vahala. The project will begin in the spring of 2024 and will be completed in early summer 2025. Jatke Länsi-Suomi Oy is responsible for the construction of AkvaCity.
– It is great to be part of the change in a developing area. Timber construction and Teknologiakiinteistöt’s high environmental goals are perfectly aligned with our company’s objectives. We are already looking forward to the summer of 2025, Nordman concludes.
More information:
Anniina Savisalo
Design Manager, Architect, Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt Oy
Tel. 040 539 0605
Irina Nordman
CEO, Turun Vesihuolto Oy
Tel. 050 561 0793
