Architectural design of industrial sites

Architectural design supports the smooth building permit process of industrial sites, where landscape values are part of the whole. Industrial architecture can also tell the story of industrial operations, strengthen the brand, and reflect a new kind of future for society.

Architects of the green transition in industry

Throughout the ages, architects have designed sculptural industrial plants whose architecture is part of the landscape, history, and identity of Finnish localities. The honourable tradition of industrial architecture is continued by pioneers of the green and energy transitions.

Bold trendsetters can be found in all industrial sectors, from the traditional process and food industries to the hydrogen and battery industries. We also offer industrial architecture design for data centers, heat pump plants, and substations that transmit renewable solar and wind energy to the national grid.

Smooth building permit process for industrial plants

Our architects ensure a smooth building permit process for industrial sites. In new construction, we take into account the industrial history of the area, ensuring that the new building mass fits into the surrounding building stock and urban landscape. We also support other permit processes for industrial plants, such as EIA procedures and preliminary studies.

The latest digital tools for architectural design

In the design of industrial architecture, we utilize information models and parametric design, as well as groundbreaking digital tools such as augmented reality (AR). These tools make the implementation of installation work more efficient and reduce installation errors.

The 3D illustrations, virtual models, videos, and other visual presentation materials created by the architects are also an effective way to communicate about the project to various stakeholders.

Industrial architecture as part of the EPCM service

Architectural design is often part of a larger EPCM service for an industrial plant, where Sweco is responsible for overall design, procurement, and implementation with flexible resources. We work closely with all parties involved in the project, because the holistic perspective ensures that the technology and space solutions together support the operation of the industrial plant.

Our architects can be responsible for the land use planning of an industrial project, creating a basis for structural, process, and geotechnical design. All experts can be found in the same company.

Architecture strengthens the brand of an industrial operator

Architecture can be used to brighten the brand of an industrial operator and tell a story about what is happening within the walls. An industrial building does not have to be an anonymous and mute box; the placement of the buildings, surface materials, colors, and façade lighting, for example, increase the value of the end result in small ways.

We offer clear visions for industrial construction that fit within the budget. We ensure that the details of the architectural plans are flexible on the terms of the operations and that the architecture is not an obstacle to the further development of the industrial plant.

We help to contextually adapt industrial operations to their environment. For example, the staircase tower of Vantaa Energy’s high-temperature heating plant acts as a beacon of light, visually linking the site to other industrial and infrastructure structures in the area. The pixelated aluminium sheet façade of the air-cooled “The Air” data center, on the other hand, seems to breathe with the wind.

Helen’s Salmisaari air-to-water heat pump and electric boiler plant was designed in a central location within the built cultural environment defined by the Finnish Heritage Agency, where it was important for the new site to fit in with the surrounding industrial architecture. The vivid randomness of the brick façade was achieved with parametric modelling technology.