Finnish Architects in the Spotlight: A-Konsultit Architects
A-Konsultit Architects
In honour of Eliel Saarinen's birthday on 20 August, the spotlight is shed on an architectural practice currently working on the renovation of two of Saarinen's key works in Helsinki. During the more than 60 years of operation, the firm has also become known for its renovation and development projects for icons of modern architecture – and the design of new buildings that respect their surroundings.
As Eliel Saarinen's 151st birthday approaches, the works of one of the most celebrated architects in Finland’s history are amidst significant changes. Designed by Saarinen's joint practice with Herman Gesellius and Armas Lindgren, the National Museum of Finland from 1910 has been closed to the public since October 2023, when the renovation and extension of the museum began. The museum is due to reopen in 2027.
Another of Saarinen's key projects in Finland, the Helsinki Central Railway Station, has been undergoing development for several years while the building has been in continuous use for passengers. The first phase of the project was completed in 2022, and the second phase will come to an end next year.
A long-established architectural office, A-Konsultit Architects, has carried out the renovation and development of these Helsinki landmarks together with Talli Architects.
The ongoing projects on Saarinen buildings and the recently renovated Hakaniemi Market Hall, originally designed by Karl Hård af Segerstad and Einar Flinckenberg and built in 1914, have provided a unique opportunity for A-Konsultit to restore and develop Finnish Art Nouveau gems for future generations.
"The starting points of our projects are always different; for example, the Hakaniemi Market Hall renovation was designed to correct some of the 1970s mistakes. Sometimes it is necessary to make major changes, sometimes it is justified to preserve the spirit of previous successful renovations," says architect Jyrki Iso-Aho, CEO and chief designer of many of the firm's renovation projects.
For A-Konsultit, architecture is about designing and embracing the everyday environment. Their projects are always about producing a holistic balance, and it is often about hard-to-measure quality rather than simple problem-solving. From ecology to social justice and an appreciation of cultural history, the projects are guided by the various dimensions of sustainability.
"Our office has a strong desire to play a role in finding solutions to mitigate climate change – we can't afford not to react to this. Valuing cultural history is also important to us. In renovation, we preserve the old and use far fewer natural resources than in new construction," says architect Ville Kuhmonen, one of the firm's young partners.
Founded in 1962, the firm also has an extensive portfolio of new buildings, including public, residential and educational buildings. A humble approach to the surrounding built environment characterises their architecture.
"We want to design buildings for everyone. Unfortunately, the current Finnish government's cuts in funding for social housing, among other things, make our work more difficult," says Iso-Aho.
"We also value cultural history highly, and the loss of our built heritage due to demolition makes me sad," he continues.
The firm's demanding projects have made collaboration with other architectural offices a natural fit. In recent years, close cooperation has been established with Talli Architects and Helander Leiviskä Architects, who both share the same office space with A-Konsultit.
"Collaboration with Talli Architects began long before we moved into shared premises, and we got our first joint projects underway just as we were about to move in together. One of these is the Central Railway Station project. Today, we are more or less one office," says Iso-Aho.
"Helander Leiviskä, who designed the previous renovation of the National Museum of Finland, came on board in the wake of Talli, and it made sense to collaborate on the museum project between our three offices. Our collaboration is working out astoundingly well," he continues.
In addition to Art Nouveau gems, A-Konsultit is renowned for refurbishments and alterations of modernist buildings. These include many of Alvar Aalto office's buildings, such as the Jyväskylä University Main Building, the former headquarters of Stora Enso, the Finlandia Hall and the Aalto2-Museum Centre in Jyväskylä. A-Konsultit has now been working on Aalto projects for two decades.
After more than 60 years in business, A-Konsultit continues looking towards the future, and the responsibility of running the office is now shared with younger generations, as Ville Kuhmonen, Matti Heikkinen and Panu Söderström became new partners in 2022.
"I have wanted to bring in a new generation of partners for a long time, and an opportunity opened when the original partners stepped down. The new partners already have much experience with our projects but, still, it's a big change from the past. I am very enthusiastic about the future of our firm," says Jyrki Iso-Aho.
"Running the office will continue based on the current, long-standing value base. At the same time, we will be looking for new ways to respond to today's vicious problems," Kuhmonen continues.
"We also want to build an atmosphere in which it is nice to be and work. But it all starts from the idea that the work is inspiring – and that people enjoy their workplace."
Find out more about A-Konsultit on their website.
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