Keilaniemi Next Launched the Construction of a Metro Block in Keilaniemi, Espoo

Next, the first building completed in the block, will gradually be accompanied by architecturally spectacular residential and office towers.

NCC is developing an impressive hybrid construction complex in the Keilaniemi metro block. The first building to be completed was the 11-storey Next, and the plan is to build a 30-storey residential and office tower to bring more high-rise hybrid buildings next to the services, metro station and seafront in Tapiola.

“In developing the Keilaniemi metro block, our aim is to improve the access routes between the park deck and Keilaniementie and to create a stimulating urban work environment with its business premises and services,” says Project Manager Pirkka Pikkarainen from NCC. Hybrid construction will also provide a new dynamic to the nature and use of the area.

NCC’s goal was to make Next an adaptable and modern office building that is suitable for both one major tenant as well as several other parties throughout its life cycle. Special attention was paid to the adaptability and energy efficiency of the premises and sustainable development. The site’s BREEAM Excellent-level energy efficiency is secured by solar panels, electric car charging stations and various other smart building service solutions. The building’s carbon footprint has also been determined.

A Tilting Facade

Optiplan, a part of Sweco, was in charge of Next’s structural engineering already during the draft phase. The frame of the office building is primarily made of concrete, but the architecturally distinct tilting facade also involves steel joint structures. The joints were consistently complex and the ends of beams were bevelled. “The structural engineers ensured the overall stability with a massive stair tower with 30-centimetre concrete walls to reinforce the entire building,” says Project Manager Anssi Lindqvist from Sweco.

The shelters of Next are exceptionally located on the first and second floors of the building. The strength, rigidity and stability calculations for the shelters were demanding tasks, but, thanks to the solution, it was possible to place the parking spaces required by the local detailed plan on the same property, in the basement beneath the shelters. The design work was carried out according to a building information model from the design phase onwards, and the models of West Metro and Ring I were also considered.

“The West Metro tunnel passes very close to Next,” says Lindqvist. Underground structural solutions were developed together with geotechnical engineers as the building’s base floor is at sea level. The Espoonlahti flood guide also had to be considered, which is why the basement floors were designed to be completely waterproof. Concrete and polyurethane were injected into the rock so that water cannot enter the interior, even during floods.

Functionality Planned According to the User’s Needs

As the design work advanced, the main tenant of Next was secured and designing the functionality of the premises with the users began. For example, an internal staircase was added to the structural plans and storage areas that can bear heavier loads were designed among the office premises.

Building services were also tailored for the user, according to NCC’s guidelines and user needs. “For example, it is possible to place workstations almost anywhere on the floors,” says Electrical Engineer Arttu Widell from Sweco. In addition, the use of ventilation, illumination and electricity is measured at the site. Cooling and heating are provided by radiation panels on the ceiling to make the temperature of the premises stable and pleasant. The ventilation of the conference rooms can also be adjusted according to use.

Project Manager Kati Pyylöniemi from NCC, who is in charge of design management, is delighted that the design team had a chance to meet face-to-face before the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our transition to remote working and the Teams environment was really smooth and it did not cause any delays in the design phase.”

The work of Sweco’s engineers continues on the adjacent property by constructing a metro block in a hybrid NCC high-rise construction project.

Pictures: NCC