JKMM Architects has been chosen to design OP-Pohjola Group's Vallila campus, winning the architectural competition announced in late May by unanimous vote of the jury. Five architectural offices were invited to design a new building on Teollisuuskatu and to modernise the existing façade.
The jury praises JKMM's solution's strong architectural character. According to the jury, the new building is dynamic and functional with a modern character, emphasising OP-Pohjola Group's presence in Vallila.
Chief Administrative Officer Heikki Vitie, chairman of the jury, describes JKMM's entry as versatile and full of potential.
"The new building complements its environment boldly and independently, while its interiors are firmly committed to the existing campus. This solution derives its strength from originality and powerful architecture," Mr Vitie describes.
"The proposal also emphasises OP-Pohjola Group's commitment to Finnish roots, local features, continuity and domestic building materials, therefore serving as an excellent basis for developing the campus further," he continues.
The jury consisted of representatives not only from OP-Pohjola Group but also from the City of Helsinki.
3,300 OP-Pohjola employees on the campus
Once the new building is finished and renovation complete, the Vallila campus will provide a workplace for about 3,300 OP-Pohjola Group employees. All in all, about 60,000 square metres of office space will be built and renovated.
"The target is to create modifiable and flexible premises that support new ways of operating in the financial sector. This is yet another indication that we look well into the future with confidence," concludes Mr Vitie.
All the construction work should be finished by the end of 2015.
For more information, please contact: Chief Administrative Officer Heikki Vitie, tel. +358 (0)10 252 4477
Director of Property Development Auni Palo, tel. +358 (0)10 252 1590
Photo Requests Riikka Lönngren, tel. +358 (0)10 252 8492
OP-Pohjola in brief
OP-Pohjola Group is Finland's leading financial services group providing a unique range of banking, investment and insurance services. The Group has the mission of promoting the sustainable prosperity, well-being and security of its owner-members, customers and operating regions through its local presence. Its objective is to offer the best and most versatile package of loyal customer benefits on the market. OP-Pohjola Group consists of some 200 member cooperative banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative, with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is the listed company Pohjola Bank plc. With a staff of more than 12,000, OP-Pohjola Group posted consolidated earnings of 575 million euros before tax in 2010 and had total assets of 84 billion euros on 31 December 2010. The group has over four million customers.
JKMM Architects
JKMM Architects has won several design awards in Finland and abroad. For example, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) awarded the Finnish Pavilion in Shanghai World EXPO designed by JKMM Architects as the best pavilion in its category. Other major work done by JKMM Architects include the Verkatehdas Arts & Congress Center in Hämeenlinna, Turku Main Library and Viikki Church in Helsinki.