OFFICE BUILDING 1976 AND ATELIER 1987, HELSINKI

A working environment for the architecture office in a building for which the appearance of the facades as well as the interior is based upon a simple wood frame construction system: laminated wood beams on twin posts. A flexible furniture system compatible with the building has been designed for the office.

The atelier's spatial structure is built around three elements that represent continuity in building: a cast-iron staircase, a tile stove, and a model of a wooden sailboat. The 19th century cast-iron staircase was found among the demolition salvage of a construction firm. The oven, probably designed at the beginning of the century by Valter Jung as part of the selection offered by Tampereen Kaakelitehdas (Tile works) is located in a concrete inglenook, which may be seen as an oversized fireplace "fit for roosting an ox". The sailboat model is situated in a showcase which projects out from the facade next to the private entry. The north-east-facing atelier window slopes inward, following tradition. The window of the kitchen-cum-meeting-room slopes outward and connects the interior to the front garden, which is surrounded by a concrete block wall. The covered patios of the office have been extended on the atelier side with various outdoor areas. Paving materials include concrete, red brick, wood, cobblestone and natural stone in various combinations.