Kokkola’s classic Maxim shopping centre was renovated into an office building
Central Ostrobothnia Cooperative Bank renovated the Maxim shopping centre in the centre of Kokkola into an office building that also includes business premises and apartments. Sweco supported the alterations to the premises of the partially protected site as a construction consultant, designer and supervisor.
Kiinteistö Oy Kokkolan Maxim, owned by Central Ostrobothnia Cooperative Bank, includes a protected building that is almost 100 years old and an extension built in the 1980s. The renovation of the extensive property became topical when a new long-term tenant was found.
“The premises have been in little use for a long time, but we have now renovated them specifically as Elisa’s office,” says Jarmo Somero, retired Deputy Managing Director of Central Ostrobothnia Cooperative Bank. The profitability of the renovation was improved by the fact that approximately 500 additional square metres were made available in connection with it when the passage of the building was closed.
Kokkola Maxim’s demanding renovation planning
As OP Financial Group’s framework agreement partner, Sweco’s choice for the planning and construction of the renovation was an easy solution for the client. The need for renovation of the site was initially assessed with the help of condition surveys carried out by Sweco’s structural designers. The structural design carefully took into account the damage and special properties of the structures observed in the condition surveys.
“The old Maxim was a demanding renovation project due to previous modifications and special structural components, which is why the Matterport description we carried out was a great help in its design,” says Anne Hietaharju, Project Manager at Sweco. Mikko Kontinaho was responsible for the structural design of the new Maxim at Sweco.
According to Somero, the condition researcher stood delightfully firmly behind the results. “We carried out the repairs according to the recommendations, which ensured good indoor conditions for the users to the last detail.”
OP relies on a construction consultant as its guardian
Sweco was responsible for the construction of the renovation and the supervision of HVAC and structural engineering work. “We also coordinated the planning and participated in negotiations with the tenants and the protection authorities,” says Johan Sparf, Project Manager at Sweco.
According to Somero, the construction consultant does a lot of invisible background work for the client. He trusted Sweco’s project management, for example, in planning meetings for specialties. “The consultants had a matter-of-fact but strict discussion on our behalf, for example, about the prices of additional work, and the cost estimates were kept very well.”
In Somero’s opinion, a successful renovation is based on clear roles and constructive cooperation. “We also went through the challenges in a good spirit, and Johan Sparf’s personal presence and way of dealing with things played a big role in that!”
Sparf, on the other hand, praises the clear instructions received from the client and users, as well as the excellent main contractors and subcontractors. “Together, we found solutions that were in line with the designers’ suggestions.”
Functional building technology for Maxim’s modern working environment
Sweco’s building technology design was guided by Elisa’s precise and demanding work environment design guidelines. An HVAC system with the latest control technology was implemented in the office, which enables the ventilation to be adjusted according to needs and thus energy savings.
“Energy efficiency will also be improved through new ventilation units and heat recovery from ventilation,” says Jussi Ruissalo, Head of Sweco’s HVAC department.
A lot of attention was paid to the visuality of the building technology installations, because there are no lowered ceilings to hide the technology. Another important goal was room acoustics. “Sounds must not travel from one room to another through ventilation ducts,” Ruissalo says.
In his opinion, the only major challenge was the cramped ventilation engine room, completed in 1987. “However, we were able to adapt today’s technology to the low space with the help of modelling.”
Cooperation continues at OP Bank’s Kokkola branch
In addition to Elisa’s office for almost 200 employees, the renovated Maxim includes a restaurant, the premises of OP cooperative bank’s property managers, street-level business premises and second-floor apartments. “The renovation was carried out on schedule and on budget, and the users have been very satisfied with the facilities,” Somero emphasizes.
Next, the cooperation will continue in the renovation of OP Bank’s own branch in the same block.
“It was easy to turn to a familiar partner,” says Jyrki Rantala, Managing Director of Central Ostrobothnia Cooperative Bank. According to him, things are handled as agreed with Sweco, schedules are kept, and communication is regular and natural. “Our cooperation is a genuine partnership that exudes Sweco’s ability to understand the customer’s needs and interests.”