| Type of project: |
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Building and civil engineering works
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| Start of construction: |
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July 2011
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| Main author: |
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Matthias Sauerbruch, Sauerbruch Hutton, Germany |
| Further authors: |
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Adrian Campbell, Arup, United Kingdom; Jan-Christoph Zoels, Experentia, Italy |
Receiving the Holcim Awards Acknowledgement prize 2011 Europe for Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland (l-r): Juan Lucas Young, Andrew Kiel; Sauerbruch Hutton and Jan-Christoph Zoels. Far right CEO of Holcim Germany, Leo Mittelholzer.
Project description
The new headquarters of SITRA, the Finnish innovation fund, is part of an inner-city building complex that augments the urban redevelopment of the former Jätkäsaari docklands in Helsinki. The aim for the entire building complex is to establish a “sustainable living” and “low-to-no carbon emission” performance through participatory planning and design methods. The SITRA Headquarters at Low2No combines a variety of technical features that enhance user awareness and reduces weighted energy use to 45kWh/sq m per year, less than half the average Finnish requirement for heating and cooling. Civic amenities, including an auditorium, library and café, create a welcoming atmosphere for the public.
Comment of the Holcim Awards jury Europe
In terms of its construction and program, the office building is commended by the jury for achieving the aspired principles of transferability, transparency and inventiveness. All of the construction, even the cores and the prefab façade panels will be entirely in Finnish timber – globally an innovation for a 26m high 6-storey office building. Beyond these measures, the project has a successful holistic approach towards its design, connecting social, ecological, aesthetic and economical demands on a high level and it is thus an outstanding example of how sustainable architecture can be achieved on a larger scale.
Image gallery
Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland
The project images and photographs shown below can be downloaded immediately in high-resolution format. To download an image, click on the link next to below any picture. Images may be used for media and academic purposes and must include a photo credit: Photos© Holcim Foundation. For further enquiries please contact info@holcimfoundation.org.
 Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Principal elevation.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Central atrium.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Site plan.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Podium (entrance) level plan.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Third floor plan.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Programme distribution.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Advantages of volumetry.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Timber structural section.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland All-timber core stability.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Foyer.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Team picture.  Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland Receiving the Holcim Awards Acknowledgement prize 2011 Europe for Medium rise timber office building in low-to-no carbon emissions district, Helsinki, Finland (l-r): Juan Lucas Young, Andrew Kiel and Jan-Christoph Zoels from CEO of Holcim Germany, Leo Mittelholzer.
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