Wednesday 11 September 2024

Helsinki unveils new sustainable wooden building

Helsinki's new wooden building will house a hotel and the headquarters of Finnish forest company Stora Enso

Katajanokan Laituri, Helsinki's new sustainable wooden building will house the office of Finnish forest industry company, Stora Enso and sustainable hotel, the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4.

Designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects and sitting next to market square, the four-storey building is made from Finnish and Swedish timber.

With sustainability in mind, the structure includes solar panels, multi-species green roof and a small birch tree forest is growing in hotel’s atrium.

The building functions as a carbon storage and is made to last for the next 100 years. Flood protection also makes the building future proof, as it can withstand a water level rise of more than 3 metres.

Additionally, the Solo Sokos Hotel will only use renewable energy to meet its energy needs.

Deputy Mayor Anni Sinnemäki said: 'The aim of transforming the Katajanokka shoreline area is to create a lively urban space. With this project, we will be able to open the shoreline to the people of Helsinki. A building made of wood, that is durable and has as low a carbon footprint as possible meets the city’s goals.'

Helsinki aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030.