Are to renovate historic Helander building in heart of Helsinki
Are is also responsible for the building services contracting. The work will be completed by the end of 2012.
The Helander building was constructed in the 1800s and its façade, main staircase and the original tiled stoves on each floor have protected status as designated by the National Board of Antiquities. The building’s commercial floors have been recently repaired, and now the offices on floors 3-5 of this historic building will be renovated to meet the extremely high requirements specified. Ilmarinen wishes that special attention be paid to the indoor conditions and to ensuring the satisfaction of the building’s future occupants and users.
In such a historic property with protected designations it is essential that the work proceeds in seamless cooperation with the authorities. The building’s location in the busiest part of Helsinki also imposes special demands on how the work is carried out. Besides the needs of the surrounding traffic, this also means taking into account the activities of the Kämp Galleria shopping centre in the building’s lowest floors and the neighbouring Hotel Kämp.
“The building’s location and the commercial activities taking place in the property at the same time make this a very challenging contract. All actions will be planned so as to cause the least possible disturbance to the shopping centre and hotel,” says Seppo Korhonen, Are’s Property Services Business Area Director. “In the property’s building services system, the air conditioning, for example, must operate uninterrupted while part of it is being renewed.”
The building services to be installed by Are will include all HEPAC work and installation of the associated automatic control system. The cooling of interiors will be undertaken via panels to be installed in the ceiling. The contract also includes modernisation of the ventilation equipment in the attic and the associated spaces.
For additional information, please contact:
Are Group, Seppo Korhonen, Business Area Director, tel. +358 40 300 5098
Ilmarinen, Niina Rajakoski, Construction Manager, tel. +358 50 574 7491
