Workplace development
LähiTapiola Rahoitus
Office relocation to Espoo
Honoring the old – a sustainable relocation to new premises
Plans to relocate LähiTapiola Rahoitus to the Hohka office building in Espoo were set in motion late last year. The goal was to carry over the familiar and welcoming atmosphere and visual identity from the old premises to the new location. Since Kakadu had also designed the earlier premises on Tietotie, it was natural to continue the collaboration and adapt the established design concept to the new office.
Read more about the concept design behind the work environment here.
Our work in this project:
- Work environment development
- Communication and change support
- Furniture layout
- Space and interior design
- Implementation phase planning and project management
In the new Espoo office, the goal was to make use of as much of the existing furniture as possible. Nearly all workstations, meeting room furniture, sofas, armchairs, loose rugs, lighting fixtures, and the illuminated LähiTapiola Rahoitus sign were brought along to the new location. Only a few new items – such as work desks, acoustic booths, and shelving units – were acquired to complement the overall setup. Since the new premises are slightly more compact, any surplus furniture was recycled during the move.
Existing structures and materials in the Espoo office space were utilized as much as possible – oak-veneered coat racks and a large portion of the textile flooring were given a new life in LähiTapiola Rahoitus’s premises. Glass wall modules that were already in place, but did not meet the acoustic requirements for meeting rooms, were repurposed as space dividers in the open-plan area. Privacy-enhancing visual elements were added to their surfaces.
Successful transition built on the familiar and functional
Although the relocation initially raised some uncertainty, the new office has been warmly received by the staff. After six months, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: the new space supports work, adds just the right amount of comfort to everyday life, and, above all, feels like their own.
The end result is a sustainable whole where the old and the new have found a pleasant and well-balanced harmony.
