VVT

Functionalist building rises to new glory

Located at Vaasa Market Square, Hallintalo is one of the most famous functionalist buildings in the city. It is the first work of the famous architect Viljo Revell from 1939. The building has been a prominent feature of the Vaasa cityscape for decades, and it was renovated respecting the layers of its rich history. The illuminated facade logo, the large wall clock that was inspired by Hercule Poirot and the wave-patterned flags that serve as reference to the nearby sea ensure that the building can be seen from afar. Indoors, the renovated lobbies and stairwells combine features typical of functionalism: simplicity, airiness and circular forms.

Rune & Berg Designin suunnittelema VVT Hallintalon kiinteistön brändäys

Photos Christoffer Björklund

Bygga – more attractive than ever

VVT Kiinteistösijoitus acquired Hallintalo, a building comprised of commercial premises and office space, in 2016. The aim of the project was to raise Hallintalo, or as it is nowadays called, Bygga, to new glory and ensure its attractiveness also on the contemporary real estate market. “The surfaces of this property, which was built in the 1930s, needed updating to improve its rentability. The aim was to honour the existing functionalist elements with a modern twist,” says Jere Fredriksson from VVT Kiinteistösijoitus. “The building has a strong history, and it has been important for the city’s residents in many ways. In order to maintain and renew the value of the centrally located property, some branding work was required,” says Johanna Happonen, Lead Designer for the project.

The design of the property’s own brand was guided by the following themes, which were defined together with the VVT employees:

renewable, contemporary icon
visible and present
known landmark
style conscious
meeting place
Swedish-speaking Finns

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the property’s branding, which included the conceptualisation of graphic and spatial elements for the facade, lobbies and stairwells, as well as the planning of their implementation. In addition, we summarised the interior design concept into a concept manual and a brochure that the customer can use when renting the property. “The project and the process went well, we could find a shared understanding easily and the customer’s wishes were well respected. The good thing was that instead of just talking about physical space, we discussed the overall brand. You were a “one stop shop” that provided everything we needed,” Jere says, describing the contents and smoothness of the project.

Harmonious experience outdoors and indoors

The creation of the brand began with the history of the building, its architecture and its relationship with the environment. As the building is such a fine example of functionalism and has a central location in Vaasa, the entire property follows the principles of functionalism. “In terms of form, the entire look and feel is functional, right down to the smallest details. We sought inspiration not only from Revell’s other work but also, for example, from the early functionalist visual elements of the original Hercule Poirot opening credits,” says Riikka Kuukka, AD.

The facade’s simple but easily visible “Bygga” logo was paired with wave-like patterns that refer to the location’s proximity to the sea and the circular forms typical of functionalism. There is also a famous clock outside the property, which the local residents use for checking the time when meeting someone on the market square or waiting for the bus. “The capitalised name “Bygga” is perfect for Vaasa and the property, it feels as if it has always been there. Many have asked whether we have renovated the entire facade, although we have only changed the lights and the logo,” Jere says, describing reactions to the renovated property.

The interiors are also designed in the functionalist style. The wave-like decals and the customised stone floor of the entrance hall welcome visitors. The stairwells and the interior wayfinding system were also renewed in line with the interior design concept. “The property is a nice combination of the graphic look, the property brand and the spatial implementation. It has a coherent story that starts with the architecture and functionalism, respecting history,” Johanna says, describing the successful experience.

"The good thing was that instead of just talking about physical space, we discussed the overall brand. You were a “one stop shop” that provided everything we needed."

Jere Fredriksson, Fund Manager

The renovated property has attracted interest

The end result is a harmonious property that is also easy to market to potential tenants, thanks to the digital brochure and conceptual presentation. The brochure provides general information about the property and presents the renewed brand, while the conceptual presentation illustrates the materials and furniture available for boutique offices in different price ranges. “We created a coherent story for the property, allowing the spatial and graphic materials to support each other,” says Noora Malmström, Graphic Designer for the project.

The owner of the property, VVT, is satisfied with the result, and the renovated property has not gone unnoticed on the business premises market in Vaasa: “The result is a success – it respects history in a fresh and interesting way. It is like a whole new property. Interest in it has already soared,” Jere concludes happily.

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Senate Properties

Shared service and work environments for the public sector in Lahti and Lappeenranta

In the future, all state services and work environments will be found under one roof in both Lahti and Lappeenranta. The changes in these two premises are part of the more extensive renewal of the state services and facilities network. In Lahti and Lappeenranta alone, the renovations will make the workday and the use of services smoother for approximately 1,500 employees and 2,500 weekly customers.

All services in the same place

The aim of the project was to implement the shared government services concept in the government office buildings of Lahti and Lappeenranta and to create concrete proposals for solutions that take into account location-specific needs and opportunities. The change was motivated by the Finnish public sector’s aim of gradually gathering the physical services of government offices into shared customer service points, harmonising the service experience across the offices. The service design project was implemented in cooperation with Senate Properties, the government facilities partner. “This project was part of a larger programme that aims to merge the services of government offices under the same roof. The objective was to make the customer experience smoother and increase the flexibility of customer service work,” says Johanna Happonen, Service Designer and Interior Architect for the project.

Plans created to support the implementation of the shared customer service concept:

functional description of the premises from the point of view of employees
customer profiles and their service pathways
location-specific adaptations for the customer service area and working spaced connected to it

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for facilitating the service design process in Lahti and Lappeenranta and for drawing up a summary to support implementation. Service design was implemented through six virtual workshops, three of which covered the government office building in Lahti and three in Lappeenranta. Customer service employees and managers from various public administration organisations, such as the Tax Administration, Kela and several state offices, participated in the workshops, alongside the architect of the location. Rune & Berg Design’s expertise in spatial design was also utilised in the project. “We supported our employees through the change, this was a completely new process for them. The benefit of the service design process is that it helps the employees to understand what a multiservice point is and which aspects of their internal operations they still need to develop before the implementation,” Johanna says. “Together, we brought the process into practice one step at a time. Thanks to you, we involved the users in the analysis and were able to identify different perspectives,” says Mervi Räisänen, Project Manager for Facilities Projects at Senate Properties.

The service and workday experience brought together

In the service design process, the location-specific ways of working, customer profiles and spatial adaptations were brought together into a final report that supports the implementation of the shared work environments. With regard to working practices, the report illustrated what kind of work takes place in each area and what the role of each employee is in different situations. The different employee roles and ways of working were summed up as four easy-to-understand employee profiles and shared working principles. In addition, each customer profile received its detailed service pathway, which helps the employees to understand the different needs of the customers and Rune & Berg Design’s designers to find the best spatial solutions.

The spatial adaptations for the architecture of the Lappeenranta and Lahti office buildings were based on employee needs and customer service pathways. In accordance with the shared service concept, each office has a lobby and a waiting room, customer service points, background working premises, a ceremonial space and a meeting centre. In Lahti, attention was also paid to the needs of restaurant guests who come to the building for lunch, while in Lappeenranta, the wayfinding system deserved particular attention due to the divided structure of the space. “The architect participated in designing the building even during the service design process, implementing the findings in the design. Lahti and Lappeenranta serve as pilot projects for a more extensive change across the country,” Johanna says, describing the progress.

Both of these locations are currently in the implementation stage: the customer service facilities were taken into use in summer 2023 and the shared work environments are due for completion in spring 2024. “The local residents have been extremely happy with the shared service point. The concept feels functional, and the use of the services is smoother than before. For the personnel, the change will become more concrete after they experience working within the new model,” says Mervi, summing up the end result of the extensive change project.

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Voyantic

Hybrid-age office that strengthens the sense of community

The rapidly growing tech company Voyantic wanted to improve the functionality and visual look of its premises. The company had outgrown its previous office, and the personnel had to work in two separate locations. The aim was to work together with the personnel to design an office that would reflect Voyantic as a company while strengthening the work community and collaboration. The end result was a space that employees can proudly call their own, which also serves as an asset in recruitment. People have returned to the office, and the office attendance rate has increased by approximately 35 percentage points.

Rune & Berg Design työympäristön kehittäminen

Photos Mikael Pettersson

An inspiring working day experience

As you enter the office, the first space you step into is the working café, Voyantic’s inviting and cosy shared living room. You are greeted by music, the lovely aroma of coffee and cheerful chatter, setting the perfect mood for your working day. Flexible solutions enable the versatile use of the space without compromising on the atmosphere. The new heart of the office provides a setting for conversations, meetings, events, game nights and after-work activities.

A variety of new spaces were created to support different modes of working. For hybrid work, the office has quiet spaces and meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art AV solutions. The open-plan coworking space and multipurpose space were designed to support various forms of collaboration, such as working together, team meetups and brainstorming. The ad hoc space is perfect for spontaneous moments of collaboration. It was important to create a suitable space for collaborative activities for every employee at the office.

Rune & Berg Designin suunnittelema Voyantic Pitäjänmäen toimipiste.

Jennie Laine, People and Culture Specialist at Voyantic, is happy with the excellent end result: “Our new office is cheerful, surprising and well-functioning. It’s full of functional and visual candy. We wanted to have a space that people can enjoy, and it truly lifts everyone’s spirits. People have learned to use the new spaces well, fully embracing them.”

A key goal in the development work was to give everyone the opportunity to participate and express their opinions. The new office was designed for the employees, with the employees.

“The office is full of functional and visual candy.”

Jennie Laine, People and Culture Specialist, Voyantic

Designing together

The design process started with identifying the teams’ needs, with the aim of creating better conditions for hybrid work. Employees were involved in the process through various means, including a needs assessment survey, key personnel interviews and collaborative planning of new practices. Using the collected user insight as a foundation, Voyantic’s new office was designed by incorporating functional and spatial solutions to facilitate smooth hybrid work and collaboration between teams. We were responsible for the interior architectural design and the design of the fixtures, graphic elements and signage.

The goal of the renewal was to enable seamless interaction in hybrid work. The project was guided by the following design drivers:

Strengthening the work community: the sense of community and social relations between colleagues are strengthened through informal encounters
Supporting collaboration: continuous, seamless interaction between team members
Efficient and equal meetings: smooth hybrid meetings provide both on-site and online participants with equal opportunities to participate and have their voice heard

“Compared to the old office, the new premises facilitate meetings and conversations in an entirely new way,” Jennie says happily.

Cooperation began already before the design stage, with Rune & Berg Design preparing a listing of Voyantic’s interior standards to support the lease agreement negotiations. Listings of interior standards play a key role in the design process as they enable more user-oriented design and make the implementation of changes more straightforward, cost-effective and eco-friendly.

“Cooperation with Rune & Berg was rewarding from the very beginning. We received expert and practical assistance every step of the way, and we couldn’t have succeeded in this alone. Finding an excellent partner led to an excellent end result,” Jennie says.

Visual boldness and quality

Voyantic wanted the new office to reflect quality, technology and innovation. Sustainability and the circular economy were also taken into account in the design, and existing elements were utilised and repaired efficiently.

“Voyantic had the courage to stand out, and there was a deliberate intention to do something bold. As a designer, it was great to gain the client’s full trust and have the opportunity to design such a delightful concept,” says Aino Keto, Lead Designer at Rune & Berg Design.

The design process started with an exploration of the colours of Voyantic’s brand identity and how they could be used to create a functional spatial experience that takes into account materials, shades, structures and patterns. The graphic elements on the walls of the space mimic a report graph typical of Voyantic’s products. The holistic design of the spatial experience also factored in the sound environment, which is particularly crucial in the hybrid age.

“The quality and details of the design have sparked discussion that paints an accurate picture of our company. The space is memorable, which supports our brand. Daring to trust the designer’s vision leads to the best possible end result. We wouldn’t have been able to pay attention to all the small details or design features such as lighting, microphones or the sound environment ourselves,” Jennie says.

“Daring to trust the designer’s vision leads to the best possible end result."

Jennie Laine, People and Culture Specialist, Voyantic

Downsizing did not apply to Voyantic

The trend of office downsizing accelerated by the pandemic did not apply to Voyantic. Instead, the company was worried that the pandemic would change how people come together and interact, resulting in a sense of disconnection among people. Compared to the old premises, the new office has a better location in Pitäjänmäki and more square metres. “Now we have space, design and a cosy atmosphere,” Jennie says.

“In the old premises, everyone used to work remotely quite often, but the new office is frequently packed. I’d say that before, around 50% of the personnel were working remotely, whereas now, 85% come to the office. We no longer have to worry about people drifting apart,” Jennie says.

Voyantic carries out regular personnel surveys and has received excellent feedback on the work atmosphere and the office. “Now we have a great and well-functioning place to come together. We’re very proud of our new, functional premises,” Jennie says.

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Fastems

Head office that enhances links to production

The office and training facilities of Fastems that span multiple floors were harmonised, and now both floors have views over the production facilities. The space was inspired not only by the bright colours used in the production rooms, but also by the “Space of Fastems” concept that emphasises space and modern technology.

Photos Mikael Pettersson

Advanced technology meets human-friendliness

The head office and production facilities of Fastems, a company specialised in intelligent CNC automation, are located in the same building in Tampere. The property was built at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s and has been the heart of Fastems’ operations for a long time. The aim of the project was to modernise the office and training spaces on the first and second floors and make their use smoother, in addition to strengthening the links to the factory. “In many companies, the head office is housed in a business park while the production site is elsewhere. Fastems wanted to strengthen the links between the head office and production,” says Sara Tuohikumpu, Lead Designer for the project, describing the starting point. “After the renewal, the production and office facilities will be directly connected. For example, if you are designing and thinking about a future product, you can see the robot right next to you,” Johanna Happonen, Interior Architect, adds.

Teams hold daily ‘scrums’ among the mobile walls.

The following design drivers guided the design process:

modern and technically advanced
warm and human-friendly
unforgettable and recognisable

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the interior architecture and graphic design of the office and training facilities. “We designed an interesting space by juxtaposing the futuristic space theme with a soft, human approach,” Sara says. The office was renewed in three stages, and the project also included designing temporary premises at Farmi in the Hermia business park. The design was based on a work environment needs assessment by CBRE.

Mothership for the Fastems crew

The office became a meeting place for the international Fastems community. The biggest change was the impressive lobby with its self-service functions and the cosy café that invites people to chat and play board games. In addition, to support the increasingly mobile work culture, the company adopted a home base model, where the first floor is allocated to administration and sales and the second to experts, such as coders.

Even the visual elements of the space underline the links between the office and production. “We were inspired by the colour palette of the production facilities. We used the bright yellow, blue and orange we saw in the factory,” Sara says. “The end result is bold but well justified for a large-scale industrial company. Galaxy epoxy flooring, glazed wall decals that look like code and a general sci-fi vibe,” says Johanna, sumning up the recognisable elements of the revamped Fastems office.

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Hotel Heymo 1

A new type of hotel offers an urban experience

Heymo challenges the ordinary and traditional hotel. Sokos Hotels’ new unique hotel only asks you to pay for what you need – the rest you can find in the city. Heymo offers a community-driven, urban, bold and appealing experience that is all about loving life. You can meet as a community in the versatile shared space in the lobby. The hotel rooms have a relaxed atmosphere and focus on comfy beds that you can sink into after a busy day in the city. Each Heymo hotel also has a “Fixer” who will take care of almost any customer need. They will also give you tips on the best spots in town.

Heymo 1 was the only Finnish project selected among the 17 best in the “Hotel and short stay interior” category of the international design and architecture competition Dezeen Awards.

Rune & Berg Design palveluympäristön kehittäminen

Stay in the city, not in a hotel

Heymo is the newest hotel type operated by Finnish hotel operator Sokos Hotels. Heymo’s concept is built on the four Cs: comfort, caring, curiosity and clarity. Heymo offers an automated but personal experience. It is designed for urban city explorers who appreciate clarity and a good night’s sleep. The key to everything is the Flexible Service concept where you pay only for what you need. The visually captivating spaces invite guests to take pictures and share their experiences with others. The first Heymo hotel opened its doors in Keilaniemi, Espoo, in spring 2022.

The spaces were designed according to the following design drivers:

urban story
boldness and a love for life
wondrous peace and a good night’s sleep
easy maintenance

It was our pleasure at Rune & Berg Design to be involved in designing a new hotel experience with Sokotel’s chain management and hotel operator. We have worked together with our client to create the interior concept for the rooms and to design the hotel’s customer facilities. The graphic look and feel was designed by creative agency Bob the Robot. “This is a totally new concept, very colourful and different”, says Satu-Anna Larvamo, Project Manager at Sokotel. “Our aim is to provide a seamless, easy and warm experience. The Fixers are always ready to help at the lobby – the staff let customers know that they are there for them”, adds SOK’s Development Manager Jukka Kaartinen.

An experience that combines community and wondrous peace

The appealing and vibrant hotel experience in Heymo’s shared spaces is built on community, boldness and an urban atmosphere. The lobby has a self-service desk for check-ins and check-outs, a co-working space, a self-service kitchen that offers high-quality take-away meals and the hotel’s Lounge, a living room for gatherings. The shared spaces have a refreshingly bold look: delightful colours, a variety of arched shapes and interesting furnishing and material choices capture the attention.

The room includes, for example, a folding chair and luggage rack, tray and Heymo bag.

The rooms focus on sleep and relaxation. The bed and a good night’s sleep take centre stage. Customers can choose one of three rooms: a two-person basic room, an accessible room that is also great for families or a three-room Heymo room that can house up to seven people. The hotel also includes a special Lucky you room whose guest will be chosen from among the hotel’s guests with a lottery each day. The design of the rooms was kicked off with a design sprint, while functionality was ensured with model rooms that test customers commented on. The end result is compact, peaceful rooms that make good use of limited space.

Heymo Room's bunk bed works well for those travelling in a larger group and for families with children.

Heymo’s design puts people and intuitive use first

Although Heymo is largely automated and the automation is well-implemented, the design puts people first. The spaces are easy to visualise: all shared spaces and features are located on the first floor. The higher floors are fully dedicated to immaculately-designed hotel rooms. “The rooms work thanks to a number of small details. Some beds can also be used as desks, and the chairs can be folded on the wall to space. As another example, the rooms designed for families and people with disabilities have more space but also a place for changing a baby”, says the project’s Lead designer Riina Ruuska.

“The rooms work thanks to a number of small details. Some beds can also be used as desks, and the chairs can be folded on the wall to space."

Riina Ruska, Rune & Berg Design Lead designer

The hotel’s colours also direct people in the different spaces. Orange points to activities. Pink means self-service and blue signals purchasing. The room colours are more toned down and natural: warm beige, whitewashed spruce plywood and accents with orange, which indicates activities. “Signposting is very important in a self-service concept. Heymo was planned so that the colours support the hotel’s intuitive use and to make it easy for people to get their bearings”, Riina summarises. Jukka agrees: “The end result is coherent. We wanted to create a unified brand at each touch point of the customer experience, and the fact that it works in different situations a big success. The brand colours are visible and their placement is logical, for example.”

The Heymo concept was developed and designed in close co-operation with Sokotel’s project managers and concept development. “It was great working with you. Everything went smoothly and progressed well. In projects like these, we need partners like you. The end result is amazing”, Satu-Anna says happily. “You had your own vision and view to move towards, and you also provided reasons for your choices. It also challenged our ways of thinking, that is what a design agency needs to be”, adds Jukka.

The new concept has been well-received, and the customers have understood what kind of experience they will get. Of the 262 hotel rooms in Heymo, 90% were booked by the end of May 2022, only a few months after the hotel opened its doors. The average booking rate has been somewhat lower for now.

Details entail playful combinations of colours and materials. The wall plastering has a beautiful texture.

Want to learn more about Heymo?

Heymo 1 was the only Finnish project to be selected among the 17 best in the “Hotel and short stay interior” category of the international design and architecture competition Dezeen Awards. Read more about Heymo’s Dezeen Awards 2023 success (in Finnish).

Watch the Sokos Hotels video! (in Finnish).
You can read more about the first Heymo hotel in Keilaniemi, Espoo, in this article (in Finnish).

Photos: Mikael Pettersson and Aleksi Tikka

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Jätkäsaari Library

New children’s and family library wins hearts with its playfulness

The Jätkäsaari Library operates in the red-brick Huutokonttori building, which was built in the 1930s. In the new library, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle meets interesting shapes and colours that pay homage to the art of Henri Matisse. The space has been designed from a child’s perspective, and it is interesting and surprising as soon as you step inside. The first thing that catches the eye is the book recommendations for children and adults, and the little caterpillar that greets visitors from the ceiling. The library offers different areas for play, reading and relaxation with family and friends. There are also nest-like hiding places for the children to discover.

Photos: Mikael Pettersson

Living room and meeting place for families

The new 300-m2 library in Jätkäsaari was opened on the second floor of Huutokonttori in early 2022. The aim was to design a playful library that is full of surprises, taking into account a child’s perspective and scale. “The idea for the library stems from the residents’ wishes: they wanted a place that is suitable for children and families, with colours, quiet reading spots and hiding places – something distinctive that would be suitable for the new residential area,” says Sara Tuohikumpu, Lead Designer for the project. “The aim was to create a compact but functional space. Playfulness was an important message: this library is intended for children. I think we achieved this well,” says Lasse Pekkarinen, Service Manager at the Jätkäsaari Library. “In the past, the activities and space did not support each other. We wanted to create a children’s library that would be both functional and cosy,” Riikka Penttilä, Specialty Librarian adds.

Design drivers that were specified together:

surprising and welcoming
fun and playful
soft and warm
communal and home-like

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the concept design and the spatial and furniture design, in cooperation with the client’s project group. Results from the resident survey, conducted by the library staff in 2021, were used in the design. The residents wanted a welcoming library that would be particularly designed for families and children. They wanted a peaceful space with areas for rest, relaxation and reading, either alone or with others. “The plans developed and found forms that we could not have anticipated. You provided us with the creative vision, and the process was exceptional,” Riikka says.

Joy of discovery and shared inspiration

Each function has its own place in the revamped library, but the space also adapts, for example, to simultaneous use by multiple school groups. “For example, the stage supports the diverse use of the space. On weekdays, it is used for reading stories, but it can also be used for performances, as needed,” Sara says. The experience always resembles the users, and the space offers something new to discover every time. “The library is full of surprising nooks and crannies and fascinating details that the visitors can discuss with their children,” says Sara. “The entire library is an inspiring journey of experiences. The child in me loves the story of the caterpillar that serves as the backbone of the customer experience,” says Raija Mattila, Account Manager at Rune & Berg Design, praising the end result.

“The space is a success, children immediately recognise it as theirs.”

Riikka Penttilä, Specialty Librarian, Jätkäsaari Library

The colour palette and adaptability of the library have received a lot of positive feedback. Choosing a favourite spot at the library is difficult for many, which shows how successful the design is. “The colours make me feel great, and they also highlight the playful details, such as the caterpillar head. My favourite is the overall view that you sees as you enter,” Lasse says, describing the end result. “I love the colours, they make the atmosphere so cosy. I am glad that we did not choose bright primary colours. Many of our customers have also said that the library makes them feel calm, and the space is not grim like it used to be. My favourite spot is probably the stage, which I often use with the children. It was such a good idea,” Riikka continues.

“Interaction felt natural and genuine. You helped us create a shared vision.”

Lasse Pekkarinen, Service Manager, Jätkäsaari Library

The users also love the new library. “Most of the feedback we have received has been positive. People are positively surprised when they come here. We have had several daycare groups from other neighbourhoods visiting the library in the spring, and the typical reaction is “how can this place be so nice and is it all for children?” The children get excited immediately and start to explore the space. Even the smallest children understand that this space has been designed for them, and they look for places where they can make themselves comfortable,” says Riikka.

Would you like to read more about the world of libraries?

Check out the Herttoniemi Library, designed by Rune & Berg Design.

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City of Helsinki, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall

The service model of Yrjönkatu swimming hall is the epitome of customer experience

Designed by Väinö Vähäkallio, the Yrjönkatu swimming hall is a historical and architectural treasure. People come from a distance to experience the unique atmosphere of the oldest swimming hall in Finland. While most indoor swimming pools focus on athletic performance, Yrjönkatu focuses on unhurried moments of well-being that span several generations.

Functional solutions through service design

The Yrjönkatu swimming hall was opened in 1928, and it is a traditional leisure venue that is managed by the Culture and Leisure Division of the City of Helsinki. The aim of the project was to develop the customer experience and service environment as part of the renovation and renewal project. “A major goal was to improve the service and involve each employee in the development of the work environment and atmosphere. Our personnel has immense professional skills and expertise, and using these was one of the starting points for the project,” says Kara Koskinen, Team Leader at the Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall. “This is a historical venue, so it was also important to cherish and strengthen the qualities that make the experience unique,” says Elina Järvinen, Service Designer at Rune & Berg Design.

The design drivers for the customer experience and service environment of the future were summarised as follows:

unique experience of urban culture
bathing and swimming for everyone
unhurried moment of well-being
permanence in the changing world

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the service design project that resulted in the service model guide, spatial description and wayfinding concept. These guides will be used in the induction training of new employees into the new concept, as well as for the design of the spaces, in particular, the lobby, the service point and the lounge area.

The project was carried out in cooperation with the swimming hall staff, users, service providers and other stakeholders who were involved in the project planning, such as the real estate developer, main designer and accessibility consultant. “We made sure that the voice of customers and employees was heard in the design and that the facilities would be functional both technically and from the point of view of users. In particular, the genuine participation of employees was an important and valuable asset for the client throughout the process. For the client, this served as a benchmark for how other swimming halls and the city’s services in general should develop their services,” Elina says.

“The project is a wonderful example of our core expertise. We know how to design spaces, the customer experience, graphics and signs. For the client, it is convenient to have one design partner that can create the full concept,” Elina continues. “The project’s plans and everything else R&B provided to us were extremely clear and well-organised. Holding workshops and check-up meetings for the steering group was easy. Even I was able to keep track of what was going on alongside my other duties,” Kara says, praising the cooperation.

"The service model guide has created clear next steps for us and pushed us forward. We will be utilising it also in our marketing and communications."

Kara Koskinen, Team Leader at the Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall

Equal and unhurried moment of well-being

The Yrjönkatu swimming hall offers an unhurried moment of well-being in unique surroundings. While most swimming halls focus on athletic performance, Yrjönkatu specialises in leisure and relaxation. The functions of the entrance hall, in particular, were re-examined on the basis of customer feedback and the goal of unhurried customer experience. “We allocated clear sections of the lobby to waiting and ensured that people do not have to queue and take their shoes off in a pass-through area. We also brought stories to the lobby and enhanced the atmosphere. While people are waiting in the lobby, they can look at historic photographs instead of their smartphones. This way, the unhurried experience starts immediately at the doorstep,” Elina describes.

The project also addressed the service model and employee experience. The aim was to facilitate work, harmonise the customer experience and make the employees proud of the work they do. “The materials we produced during the project are extremely valuable. In particular, I am impressed by how we made the team participate and produced a concrete outcome together. The tacit knowledge about the service is now codified in black and white,” Kara says. “All in all, my experience with service design has been extremely positive, and it has proven really useful for us. I do not regret a single day of our project,” Kara concludes.

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Pikku Huopalahti library

Service environment, Work environment

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Smartly.io Event Space

Adaptable Event Space for live and hybrid events

The head office of software house Smartly.io in Helsinki has received a new Event Space on its ground floor. The magical space reflects the identity of the company and is suitable for a wide range of events, from globally streamed seminars to local and cosy team meetups. The spatial experience starts even before entering the space, with light art that is also visible on the outside, representing power animals that reflect the company’s values. The most prominent of the power animals, the Smartly unicorn, greets visitors near the entrance. The head of the unicorn also serves as a camera stand for live streaming. The creative space can accommodate over 100 people, but it is also ideal for organising virtual events for participants from all over the world, thanks to its adaptability and easy-to-use AV technology.

Rune & Berg Designin Smartly.io:lle suunnittelma muuntuva tapahtumatila

Photos: Mikael Pettersson

360 spatial experience is the essence of Smartly.io

Smartly.io operates in several offices globally, and its culture is all about equality and a strong sense of community. The Event Space was designed as a communal hub that supports hybrid work and represents the company’s core values for colleagues and visitors from different countries. “Smartly.io values innovation and does not take work too seriously. At the same time, it is also a large-scale IT company with high security standards. The aim of the Event Space was to make the Smartly.io culture and values visible without letting visitors enter the actual working spaces,” says Aino Keto, Project Lead Designer.

Rune & Berg Designin suunnittelma muuntuva tapahtumatila. Smartly.io:n arvoja kuvastavista voimaeläimistä toteutetut valotaideteokset näkyvät päällä ollessaan myös tilan ulkopuolelle.

When on, the light art depicting company’s power animals are also visible from outside of the space.

The design of the Event Space was guided by the following design drivers that were specified with the client:

networking
Smartly.io’s brand awareness and visibility
personnel satisfaction and well-being

The Event Space was designed in cooperation with experts from various fields. The idea was to create the multimedia experience of the future that would make even virtual participants feel like they are genuinely present at the event. Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the conceptual design, interior architecture design and the graphic look and feel of the project. OiOi was responsible for audiovisual content production and Granlund for audiovisual design. Akukon was the consulting partner for acoustics.

Rune & Berg Designin Smartly.io:lle suunnittelmassa tapahtumatilassa on yllätykselliset yksityiskohdat

Versatile and playful Event Space that supports creativity

The Event Space was designed as a surprising space that supports Smartly.io’s innovative brand image and the outside-the-box thinking of different target groups. Thanks to the adjustable sound system, lighting and furniture, the atmosphere can be adapted to casual get-togethers, more business-like meetings with customers and training events alike. “The Event Space supports working smartly and loving one’s job. Employees can freely reserve it for casual get-togethers or use it as a yoga room. Thanks to the electrically controlled curtains, the atmosphere is easy to change. The space also has a kitchen for large-scale events that require catering. There is plenty of storage space under the rising auditorium for furniture that make the space adaptable,” says Aino.

The Smartly.io way of working involves various internal events, as well as many events with stakeholders, such as customer meetings, training, demos, product launches and presentations to students. The functions and visual look and feel were designed in cooperation with Smarty.io’s marketing team. The human-sized unicorn that sits in the audience, inviting visitors to take selfies for social media, is the emblem of the Smartly.io spatial experience.

Event Space was designed as a surprising space that supports Smartly.io's innovative brand image and outside-the-box thinking.

Whatever the event may be, the audiovisual solutions and furniture make even remote participants feel like they are part of the audience. The numerous streaming cameras and plug-in-and-play connections enable smooth presenting and listening to presentations everywhere in the space. “The Smartly.io Event Space is unique. It is the first completed space of the company’s new work environment concept. It supports hybrid work, and the modern technology enables multisensory experiences,” explains Heidi Linkka, Design Strategist from the Smartly project team.

Would you like to know more about our collaboration with Smartly.io?

See the global work environment concept we designed for them.

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A company from the construction industry

The entire office as a showroom

The new work environment of the company in Pitäjänmäki is a showroom for corporate culture as well as the entire sector: different building supplies brands have a strong presence in the five-storey office of this pioneering company. The actual product presentation space is located near the entrance, featuring, for example, a dark ceiling and plastered wall, which make the atmosphere and experience memorable from the start. The working floors, on the other hand, are wonderfully quiet, thanks to high-class acoustics solutions. The use of colours also reflects the atmosphere: blue represents quiet concentration and brick red – the colour inspired by the facade of the building – active collaboration.

Photos: Mikael Pettersson

Work environment where pioneership meets comfort

The purpose of the building supplies and solutions manufacturer company is to improve quality of life through comfortable and healthy living environments. The company wanted the 20-year-old office property in Pitäjänmäki to reflect the same ideology. The aim of the work environment renewal, which was implemented in connection with the renovation, was to design an activity-based office that would make the company’s business and role as a pioneer more concrete and support different functions and the ways of working shaped by the pandemic.

The design was guided by the following design drivers that were specified with the client:

pioneership
sustainability and sustainable development
aesthetics
comfort and well-being

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the interior architecture and graphic design of the project. We also supported the work community in the change from private offices to a modern, more open working concept and culture, for example, by establishing rules and holding online information events. “The private office layout, which is characteristic of the early 2000s, did not support the contemporary culture of working together. We wanted to modernise both the structure and the ways of working. Because the company specialises in construction, we also wanted to use their own products and showcase them in innovative ways,” Riina Ruska, Lead Designer for the project sums up.

Each floor has its unique feature

The company’s new work environment is not only a showroom of innovative solutions, but also an inspiring work environment. Most of the visitors only see the reception area and showroom on the first floor and the restaurant and meeting rooms. The second, third and fourth floors are dedicated to working independently or together, not forgetting breaks. “The breakrooms have different focuses on different floors. They offer, for example, books and specialty coffees. The idea behind this is that people would move between the floors and share information on common customers and sites across the business units,” Riina says.

The new work environment of the company in Pitäjänmäki is a showroom for corporate culture as well as the entire sector.

Premises that meet the needs of changed working practices – such as a silent room, sound-proof room for phone work and project workrooms – further increase well-being. Each floor has plenty of green elements, and the floors are divided into different zones from silent to loud. In addition, the existing saunas and roof terrace are now available for the entire staff. “The emphasis was on restorative spaces. For example, the renewed sauna and fireplace area is extremely cosy. It can even be used for internal, laid-back meetings, such as discussing the new week together over breakfast on Mondays,” Riina sums up.

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Oura Health

Design started from values and collaboration

Oura is a Finnish health tech company that has sold over a million smart rings. Its operations are based on supporting people’s well-being and improving their quality of life. The rapidly growing Finnish team needed a new home and found it on Pohjoisesplanadi. In addition to the 600 square metre office, we designed a 400 square metre extension and gallery. The aim was to create a cohesive office of the hybrid era that promotes the collaborative Oura culture while supporting quiet work and concentration.

Rune & Berg Designin suunnittelema Ouran Helsingin toimipisteen aula

Photos: Aleksi Tikkala

Empowering work environment for well-being experts

The new Oura office in central Helsinki is strongly based on well-being, as are the company and its employees. The natural colour palette and ample green decor leave room for creativity and promote recovery. The office has different kinds of spaces that are suitable for solo work, brainstorming and the construction of Oura ring prototypes. Things are not taken too seriously: there is a working café and a game area to support a great communal feeling. The signature visual look is repeated in the round shapes of the luminaires, acoustic panels and graphic elements, which is a reference to the Oura logo and smart ring.

The design drivers for the office design were specified in a workshop with the Oura project team:

attractive: boldly professional atmosphere, functional and innovative spaces
well-being: the space oozes holistic well-being, as does the brand itself
internal potential: natural space empowers and fosters creativity
good vibes for all: lively and inspiring premises that support a good team spirit and sense of community
technology focus: technology is visible in the space in a subtle but convincing way

Rune & Berg Design was responsible for the interior architecture and graphic design of the project. The project included a workshop with the project team, discussing the function and atmosphere of the space and the underlying ideas. “We started from Oura’s values and what the smart ring represents. The aim of the premises is to support well-being and get the most out of each employee,” Aino Keto, Project Lead Designer describes.

Well-being and the rhythm of nature as underlying themes

Oura’s business principle and corporate culture are based on supporting holistic well-being and reaching one’s full potential. The new office also supports these goals: the workstations that are divided by curtains facilitate communication, and the different meeting and brainstorming spaces encourage sharing ideas. The shared lobby and working café are ideal for communal moments with colleagues and partners. Quiet spaces, green decor elements and the acoustic panels that soften the sound environment ensure that the workday supports the employees’ well-being.

The visual look of the Helsinki office is founded on well-being, nature and balance. It was inspired by the colours and materials that are found in nature at different times of the day. “Oura is present in its customer’s life at all hours. This is why the office also reflects the circadian rhythm to create an impressive spatial experience where everything comes together and supports the Oura brand,” Aino says. “The colours reflect different times of day. We were also able to use the existing furniture in the space. We hardly needed to buy anything new,” Roosa Westerman, Interior Architect for the Project sums up.

The new Oura work environment forms a coherent spatial experience that supports the company’s brand and values. “Based on feedback, the office feels comfortable and enjoyable to its users. They have been very happy,” Aino says. Oura’s international offices are also interested in the look and feel and details of the Finnish office. For example, the San Francisco team is highly excited with the new office, in particular, the mirror-like Oura logo in the lobby.

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