The facade of Helsinki’s first functionalist building returned to its original glory

The Pohja Life Insurance Company’s commercial building in the heart of Helsinki is a nationally significant built cultural heritage site and the first functionalist building in Helsinki. However, the facades of the valuable building had become worn down over the years. Sweco’s architects were able to raise the building’s profile among tenants, which has increased the attractiveness of the entire area.

The Finnish Heritage Agency has declared the Pohja Life Insurance Company’s commercial building, designed by Oiva Kallio and completed in 1930, as a built cultural heritage site of national significance (RKY). Originally, the eight-storey office and commercial building at Kaisaniemenkatu 6 was a winning entry in an architectural competition. Over time, the facades had become worn down and received alterations and additions untypical of the architectural style.

“The black surface plastering had received a greenish-brown tone and also showed remnants of various additional structures, such as old advertisement equipment,” explains the project’s principal and architectural designer Katariina Kosonen from Sweco. The awnings were also broken. “Many tenants were already hoping for the building’s profile to be raised.”

The facade renovation of Kaisaniemenkatu 6 began in May 2019 alongside the design and building permit process. “Repairs to a building of this age always require some disassembly before we can say exactly what needs to be taken into account in the design,” emphasises Kosonen.

The building had plenty of surprises in store. For example, the stone staircases of first-floor entrances from the 1980s had moved and become damaged due to traffic vibration. “In the facade, we also discovered original horizontal openings of over 10 metres in length that used to act as ventilation channels for the dome-like central hall.”

Restoring original solutions

The Finnish Heritage Agency was closely involved in the permit process and official inspections of the facade renovation. In turn, the architect made sure that the advanced architectural and engineering solutions were preserved or restored. “The biggest challenge was to reconcile the historical values of the facade, such as the colours documented by a colour restorer, and the modern facade lighting,” Kosonen explains.

The valid local detailed plan of the plot dates from 1928, meaning that it could not be used as a basis for building preservation interpretations. This is why the architect drew up a brief review of the facade’s building history. “It was interesting to go through old drawings and building permits, interpret them and use them in justifying new solutions to the authorities.”

Kaisaniemenkatu 6 is Helsinki’s first functionalist building with features typical for the style, such as a rooftop terrace, strip windows and pillars right behind the windows. The locations of the pillars included windows with the background plastered black, which, according to old photographs, was not a long-lasting solution. “The original background colour had faded and deteriorated, so I designed new background glasses with the paint burned on at the factory. This improves the colour’s resistance to changes in temperature, for example.”

While the facade plastering was renewed, the tall sheet metal plating of the floor level element from the 1980s was removed, as it did not fit the spirit of the old building. The design of interesting details required a surprising amount of work. “One of the tailor-made solutions is the copper plating and snow guards located on top of the floor level element between the second and third floors,” Kosonen says. The new facade lighting fixtures are hidden behind the snow guard.

The lighting casings and fixtures of the main entrance pilasters were also completely renewed. “We removed the white plastic plates and replaced them with opal glass reminiscent of the original milk glass,” Kosonen says. The brass casings also received new hatches that can be opened for maintenance purposes.

The architect is happy with the end result of the demanding facade renovation. “The fact that the building’s profile was finally raised has increased the attractiveness of the entire area,” Kosonen says. For example, Fazer Café Kaisaniemi opened its doors in the building in 2021.

“Repairs to an old building always require some disassembly before we can say exactly what needs to be taken into account in the design.”
– Katariina Kosonen, Sweco

 

“Kaisaniemenkatu 6 is Helsinki’s first functionalist building.”

 

“The biggest challenge was to reconcile the historical values of the facade, such as the colours documented by a colour restorer, and the modern facade lighting.”
– Katariina Kosonen, Sweco

 

“The fact that the building’s profile was finally raised has increased the attractiveness of the entire area.”
– Katariina Kosonen, Sweco