Urban Environment House in Helsinki
- Jakob Schoof
The construction industry in Finland has already gained experience with BIM. In 2007 the method became obligatory for public construction projects exceeding a budget of one million euro. With the Kaupunkiympäristotalo – or, in English: the Urban Environment House – the city of Helsinki goes one step further by planning to use the building model for the successive operation of the facility. In the new building by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki the city combines, for the first time, the departments for urban planning, housing construction and the environment under one roof. Available space was located in Verkkosaari, the former harbour and industrial site in Helsinki’s east, one of the areas with the greatest growth potential of the capital city. By 2040 about 25,000 residents are expected to live and further 10,000 people are intended to work here. The building, L-shaped in plan, occupies the block border and, due to its windowed brown brick facade, fits into the quarter harmoniously, which has maintained its somewhat rough charm due to remaining historical industrial buildings. The same material selection, complemented by light-coloured wood and exposed concrete, also characterises the interiors.
