Masino Group’s updated headquarters also changed the ways of working. The headquarters were fully renewed using various survey methods and fields of expertise. The project began with the definition of strategic targets, implemented through observations, interviews with key personnel and the Sentio Insight survey among the subsidiaries working in Vantaa.

The key goal was to improve the comfort and attractiveness of the office and to strengthen the sense of community and commitment through spatial solutions: “Masino’s subsidiaries have shared partners and clients, and the renewed office enables them to harmonise their activities and utilise synergies. Now, the services at the headquarters, such as the gym, restaurant and HR, are also accessible to everyone,” explains Riina Ruska, Lead Designer for the project.

• Quality: improving the style, comfort and appeal of the office
• Encounters: creating office spaces that promote encounters, cooperation and a sense of community
• Supporting growth: designing an open, comfortable and adaptable office

After setting the strategic target, the work environment was developed in cooperation, including the creation of the office’s spatial types and operating models through a sprint of three workshops. The primary areas of improvement identified in the workshop were the shortage of meeting rooms and the lack of calm, sensory ergonomic working spaces. After the renewal, Masino employees will still have their dedicated workstations, but there will be more shared spaces: different types of meeting and project rooms in the office, as well as spaces suitable for retreat and quiet work.

“I particularly remember the beautiful outcome of the project and the many workshops that supported it. Involving the personnel with the help of service design methods was essential,” says Tiina Salo, HR Manager.

In addition to the functional changes, the visual look and feel of the office was also updated for added quality. Since the quality of the property was high to begin with, we only changed what needed to be changed, such as the building technology.

“People are Masino’s most important asset, and we wanted the property to reflect this visually. In practice, this means offering the same high-quality experience on all floors. We also softened the visuals a little by adding terracotta, forest green and gold alongside the steel facade, black and grey,” says Riina.

“The overall look and feel, warmth and experience were taken to a whole new level. The brand image was strengthened further and even the smallest details convey openness, quality and longevity in a way that suits us,” says Mikko happily.

The new premises have been well received, both by the employees and visitors. We supported the organisation through the change by, for example, holding five interactive information sessions for the personnel.

“This has been a huge and complex change, and well-executed internal communication played a major role in its success. The renewed office is cosy, inviting and soft, but at the same time stylish and professional,” says Jatta Pyhäjoki, Marketing Director.

“According to the employee satisfaction survey conducted after the renovation, the overall score for working conditions has improved. Therefore, we can confidently say that the work environment has changed for the better,” Mikko concludes happily.

Let’s talk! We offer everything from strategy to design and vision to implementation.

Learn more about the Sentio Insight work environment measurement or Masino’s article about the project.

We were responsible for the interior design and graphic identity of Lieke’s work environment, as well as the coordination of the implementation. We also ensured that the spatial experience, quality and responsibilities for alteration work correspond with Lieke’s needs. Bureau Real Estate, already familiar with and trusted by Lieke, found new premises for the client. “The aim was to create a valuable and trustworthy but also warm atmosphere for the office. We reviewed, for example, the surface materials of the property already during the rent negotiation phase, according to Lieke’s wishes,” says Aino Keto, the project’s Lead Designer.

“We are really happy with the result. The premises are high-quality and stylish. We also received a lot of valuable support with the lessor. You supervised our interests as a client and discussed the quality level with us – for example, the layout of the premises turned out great. We were able to eliminate wasted space. It was also a great idea to build a so-called core in the middle of the office, where Lieke employees can gather,” Jussi says.

• Increases attraction among staff
• Strengthens the company’s values and work culture
• Acts as a business card in meetings with clients and partners

In addition to the actual planning meetings, a workshop was held with the project team and an interview with an IT expert and office manager in order to create a future-proof and practical office. The pull factors of the new office include shared encounters and events, which are not available in the home office, as well as spaces designed for focused work.

“The shared break room has become one of the most popular functions at the new office, where people can meet one another and organise a variety of events. Another important aspect of Lieke’s premises is the sound insulation, which is top-class especially in customer premises and offices,” says Aino, describing the design principles of the new premises and the user experiences.

Visually, the employees wanted the premises to have a stylish yet approachable atmosphere that reflects expertise and reliability in a warm way. The starting point for the visual look was the recently renewed brand identity, with copper and green tones that reflect the energy economy. The client wanted the same colours to be visible in the new office.

“We didn’t follow the latest trends in the design of the property, but instead selected durable and high-quality furniture and materials. Many visitors have said how much they admire the beautiful new premises,” says Kaisa Sinisalo, Interior Architect, describing the atmosphere of the Lieke office.

The sustainability of the office’s spatial and material solutions was taken into account in the design process and the end result. For example, the project made extensive use of existing furniture and took into account the adaptability of the premises. “Where possible, we retained the suspended ceiling lines and technical building systems of the property. The premises are naturally adapted to different uses, as the lighting, for example, can be adjusted to different moods,” says Aino.

“We entered the new millennium compared to our previous office. The premises are functional, employees enjoy coming to the office and working there. It’s nice to have premises that reflect who we are as a company,” says Jussi with a smile.

Let’s talk! We offer everything from strategy to design and vision to implementation.
You can also read Lieke’s news article about the move or the reference story (in Finnish) by Bureau Real Estate who found the new premises for Lieke.

The spatial design was based on a project aimed at clarifying the shared objective of Mehiläinen with regard to future spatial solutions. Based on the needs assessment, the team decided to combine premises at several different addresses to create encounters and synergies between different functions. Mehiläinen’s iconic building in Töölö continues to house the medical centre and hospital.

The next step after the needs assessment was to design the selected office property. “During the project, we questioned the familiar ways of doing things and genuinely thought about how people will work in the future and what kind of an office supports their work. The aim was to create an attractive, high-quality office that promotes a sense of community,” explain Sini Ala-Nikula and Jenny Soldan, Design Strategists for the project.

• Encounters between Mehiläinen employees and with other stakeholders. The new office is a cosy working environment that brings people together, supporting collaboration and allowing employees to see what others are doing.
• Hotel atmosphere and different Mehiläinen employees. Creating a hotel-like atmosphere, especially in meeting rooms. Facilities solutions support Mehiläinen’s agile corporate culture and different ways of working. The services work seamlessly together and support daily work and well-being.
• Flexible and versatile use between and within different locations. Spaces can be reserved as needed instead of owning them, and tribal areas and different types of space support innovation and recovery.

Rune & Berg Design carried out a needs assessment, spatial adaptations and an assessment of the spatial requirements to support Mehiläinen’s decision on the premises and designed a new office on the 6th and 7th floors of the Arkadia building. The design process covered the interior design and graphic look of the space, as well as project coordination during their implementation. The premises on the sixth floor were already leased by Mehiläinen and had been re-designed quite recently, so as few changes as possible were made to them and the work was concentrated on the top floor. “We created a floor plan for the sixth floor to update the functionalities and create a uniform look that connects the two floors. In general, we reused and repaired everything we could in the property. For example, existing ceilings and lighting rails were used in most of the premises,” says Kaisa Sinisalo, Interior Architect.

Mehiläinen’s new premises have fewer square metres than before, but the use of the premises is even more flexible. The office spans two floors and offers a wide range of spaces for focused work, joint brainstorming and hybrid meetings, for example. The heart of the office is the working cafe on the top floor, which also has a terrace over the Kamppi roofs. There are team workspaces on both sides of the cafe and on the lower floor, and they are divided into spaces for silent and loud work and based on different ways of working. The use of the spaces is based on team days, flexibility and each team’s own areas, which make it easier to find the closest colleagues. “The spaces are really nice and comfortable, they offer an excellent setting for work and also support Teams meetings well. The atmosphere of the premises reflects Mehiläinen’s status as an international company. It’s great that we now have such an elegant setting for welcoming guests to our premises,” Mariia says.

Read Mehiläinen’s press release on the centralised head office.

The aim of the project was to improve the functionality of the Helsinki office to make it better meet the needs of the growing organisation and the changing work culture. The change was implemented in connection with the property renovation, and it covered the current space of approximately 3,000 square metres and the 1,100 square metre extension. Although the upgraded office is still located in the same space, the starting point for the new design was boldness: “Doing things boldly and at full volume is a good match for Unity’s values. In this project, boldness was evident in the colour and material choices and the spatial division system that supports modern office work that takes places in multiple locations,” says Riina Ruska, Lead Designer for the project.

“The nature of work in this environment diverges significantly from our other offices. There’s a heightened focus on programming, with teams engaged in both desk-based and on-site activities. The initiative brought a refreshing vibrancy to our workspaces, making them more inviting and illuminated. Moreover, we introduced versatile and collaborative think tank areas, departing from traditional formal meeting rooms,” Tara Oberoi, Manager of Global Environments for Unity, explains.

• functional – practical and flexible
• inspiring – premium but cosy
• collaborative – spaces for cooperation and meeting others
• sustainable – responsible design choices and connection with nature

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the interior architecture and graphic design of the Helsinki office and for curating art for the office. We also designed temporary premises for the client in the same property during the renovation. “In the past, each Unity office would look the same around the world, but nowadays the emphasis is on local elements. The client wanted to ensure that when someone comes, for example, from Montreal to Helsinki, they immediately know where they are. That is why we made the atmosphere of the space more distinctively Finnish and fresher, and we selected the urban forest in Helsinki as the underlying theme,” Riina says, describing the starting point for the design.

“We greatly admire your commitment to the entire design process, from inception to completion, and we genuinely value the holistic approach you bring. Your team’s prowess as designers is evident, and the collaboration was seamless — an experience we thoroughly enjoyed,” says Tara, describing what it was like to work with Rune & Berg Design.

The transformation of the Helsinki office covered not only the technical building system and lighting but also the functionality of the space and the different roles of different spaces. The office still serves as the home base of the teams and offers ergonomic workstations for coding, but the new spaces emphasise encounters with other Unity employees: an extensive social hub was created on the 6th floor, the meeting rooms were made more varied and, for example, the floor area of the workplace cafeteria was doubled. “We analysed the need for different types of spaces by interviewing and observing Unity employees in their work. Another important thing to note was the global Unity community – there are teams in which not all members work at the Finnish office,” Riina says.

The atmosphere of the space is bolder and more Finnish than before, built on, for example, the furniture, graphic elements and curated pieces of art. Almost all of the furniture we purchased is Finnish, and environmental friendliness was an important criterion in making the design choices. For example, as the floor material, we selected an alternative that was not only functional but also the most ecological. The bold graphic details and materials highlight the urban nature of Helsinki: the names and icons of the meeting rooms refer to locally well-known animals and plants, such as city bunnies and lily of the valley, and the glazed walls of the meeting room are adorned by the skyline of Helsinki with its signature landmarks. “Through the narrow horizontal windows of Makkaratalo, you can see all the major landmarks of Helsinki, from the Cathedral to the Lyhdynkantajat sculptures of Helsinki Central Railway Station and the tower of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium,” says Riikka Kuukka, AD, who led the graphic spatial and signage concept and curated the office art.

“The Helsinki office is truly impressive — the outcome exceeded our expectations, offering both a great aesthetic and enhanced comfort for work. Its unique design sets it apart from conventional offices, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the final result”, Tara says.

The emphasis on locality can also be seen in the works of art selected for the office, mainly by rising local artists, which makes the office more attractive as an inspiring alternative to hectic days at the home office. “Unity has really understood the importance of art in promoting the well-being of its employees. They invest in it in all their offices around the world. The materials, colours and message of the works selected for the Helsinki office support the overall concept of nature at the heart of the Helsinki,” Riikka explains. “The aim was to make people feel their best at the office. They get a moment of relaxation by looking out the window or admiring the works of art,” Riina continues.

Unity’s employees could vote for their favourites among the works of art suggested by Rune & Berg Design. For the Helsinki office, the team chose, for example, imaginative sculptures for the Tori working café, a mobile sculpture by Jenni Rope for the interior staircase that connects the two floors, and textile art for the library to create perfect silence. “The fusion of art and graphics was monumental, and the curation was executed with excellence. Its quirky nature resonates with the Helsinki team and our cultural identity, underscoring our desire to cultivate offices that embody a distinctive local flair.” Tara adds.

“All in all, the new Helsinki office is fresh, functional and cosier than before – a good place for people and shared moments,” Riina concludes.  The users agree: “Everyone was really excited to see how the Helsinki office was transformed – how subtle changes make such a big impact. Everyone is going to be ecstatic, feedback has been positive,” Tara concludes.

The extension of the Eurosaha plant in Vierumäki was an investment in a top-notch saw production line, job satisfaction, well-being and a great visitor experience.  “In the last 20 years, employee satisfaction and motivation have been playing a more important role. The aim was to motivate employees and make the workplace a nice place to work in,” says Ville Kopra, Versowood CEO. Another important perspective in designing the plant extension was Versowood’s updated brand message, “tomorrow is renewable”.

• being a pioneer in the forestry sector
• promoting employee well-being
• updating the visitor experience to match the new brand message

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the interior architecture and graphic design of the Eurosaha extension and for project management. We also worked on the internal communication of the head office together with the Versowood team.

The user experience of the Eurosaha extension and the various spaces were carefully analysed from the point of view of the well-being and experience of both Versowood employees and visitors. Elements that enhance well-being include the forest-like lobby and soundscape that welcome visitors and the new changing rooms and break room where people can relax or even exercise while waiting for their coffee to brew. The high-quality break room and kitchen also serve as a visitors’ centre, and the supervisor’s room can be used for meetings and workshops.

“We wanted to show that we care and live up to our values. We went beyond the ordinary in this revamping process,” says Mia Kärkkäinen, Marketing Manager at Versowood, describing the background of the carefully executed development of Eurosaha. The revamped Eurosaha will serve as a benchmark for the development of other units. “Eurosaha looks great, and we are proud to present it. When I visit the plant, I see smiling faces all around me,” Ville says.

Rune & Berg Design and Versowood have been cooperating extensively since 2012. The two companies have had all kinds of shared projects over the years: from facilitating the new vision for the head office to extensive work environment design and culture projects and individual graphic designs. Rune & Berg Design has designed, for example, the renovation of the current Versowood head office in Vierumäki, the “forest office” or ground-floor customer service space in Mikkeli, the yard areas, a fair stand and various truck decals and workwear.

One of the largest work culture and graphic design projects was the occupational safety project, the aims of which were to integrate safety thinking into daily work and achieve the target of zero occupational accidents. The posters created during the project can also be seen in the revamped Eurosaha plant, at carefully selected points along the workday path. The aim is to use the material for many years to come to promote occupational safety across Versowood’s offices.

The Versowood team is happy with the long cooperation that is characterised by joy and playfulness and the courage to think about the future: “You are extremely kind, positive and helpful. You have excellent professional skills, relevant experience, a future-oriented approach and new tools for utilising research-based information,” says Mia. “You are easy to work with. You work approach is positive, and you know how things are done in our company. This makes it easier to get things started,” Ville adds.

• the role and location of the headquarters
• future ways of working
• types of premises that support the working methods
• supporting the planning of change communication

We started our cooperation with a needs assessment that helped us to analyse the needs of the future work environment in an employee-centred manner. The needs assessment included an employee survey, interviews in pairs with key persons, and workshops on future working scenarios for the project team. The assessment helped to identify the role of the office in the future, the ways of using it and spatial needs. The decision on the number of spaces needed in the future was based on the needs assessment. The outcome was building a recognisable RELEX experience in the new premises. Because the new office will not be completed until 2026, the company decided to renovate the current Ilmala office as well, to make it better support the changed working methods.

“You led us in the right direction with your expertise and enthusiasm, providing us with scenarios and plans from the start. The atmosphere within the project team was warm and welcoming, and working together with you was easy,” says Nanna Tuomi-Nikula, Specialist in Work Environment Design and Team Leader at RELEX, describing the cooperation with Rune & Berg Design.

In addition to the needs assessment and scenarios, we were responsible for the work environment design and graphic design of the renovated Ilmala office and concept design for the first floor of the new headquarters. We also supported the RELEX project team in change communication. CBRE acted as commercial advisor for the search for headquarters. “Cooperation with you was extremely smooth, the result is a success and the workshops you held were well prepared. With your help, we optimised the use of the premises. You also supported us in decision-making,” says Tiia Rapeli, HR Director at RELEX.

The needs assessment and the scenarios were used as the basis for the new office and its preliminary work environment concept. The concept covers the different spaces and zones that the company needs, their number and visual look and feel. The design was driven by the wishes and opinions of the employees concerning work in the future. Finding a balance between efficient hybrid work and fun was important. “We encouraged the client to think about what kind of a work environment and ways of working RELEX employees have, which helped them to manage the work environment strategy. In an uncertain situation, staying put is not the wisest thing to do. Instead, the best way is to make a decision and choose the direction based on the best available information, just like RELEX did,” says Sini Ala-Nikula, Lead Designer for the project, sharing valuable tips with other companies in a similar situation.

An example of new types of spaces introduced to the Ilmala concept are the restorative and quiet spaces that have become more important in the hectic world of hybrid work. The aim is also to transfer these types of spaces to the new headquarters. In the work environment concept of the future office, the space is divided into visitor areas and areas for internal concentration and collaboration. The purpose of this division is to make work as smooth as possible. The number of workstations needed by the personnel is based on both the ratio of in-office work to remote work and the type of tasks performed at the office.

“This is a great concept with different zones and working areas. It serves as an excellent foundation for designing the new headquarters. The revamped Ilmala office allows us to test the new working culture and premises,” Tiia says.

The spatial solutions and uses of the 5,000-m2 premises in Ilmala were renewed according to the new work environment concept. The RELEX employees get to test a more flexible working model, where they can reserve the versatile spaces based on needs. There are no dedicated workstations. “Working at the Ilmala office allows our employees to practise new ways of working and test new kinds of facilities. We also prepared a communications plan for the work environment change: what information should be shared, on what channels and how,” Sini says.  “I feel like this has been a big change for the better. From our point of view, the best features are the different types of areas and modular structure – the space can be modified and used for a variety of purposes. This has helped our employees find different ways of working,” concludes Nanna.

“Thanks to the successful renovation, the Ilmala office really resembles us. Bringing in natural elements, offering opportunities for refreshment, the working cafe, various meeting rooms and Octacells have changed the ways in which we use the space. The new Ilmala office is cosy, and our employees love it. The office feels warm and home-like,” Tiia says happily.

The renovation of the Ilmala office is complete, but RELEX employees are continuing to test the premises. The employees are also involved in the development of the office: “We are currently preparing a user’s guide on the purposes of each space, and we are collecting feedback from the RELEX team on the functionality of the spatial solutions in Ilmala. The idea is to enable the employees to influence the development and test the concept in Ilmala for the new office,” Nanna says, describing the future.

Check out the press release by RELEX.