Workplace development

SSAB, Raahe

New research center and factory office for the steel plant
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Design prioritizing a functional work environment

SSAB’s new research center and factory office were recently built on the Raahe plant site to serve the needs of office employees and provide spaces for various types of meetings and interactions. Our design team familiarized themselves with the work environment requirements of the largest steel producer in the Nordics and gathered input from the future users of the new building through comprehensive user engagement. Employees of the factory office were involved in multiple workshops, tested new furniture, influenced the look and feel of the space, and visited the upcoming workspaces through guided site tours. Along with the new office facilities, the ways of working also underwent significant changes: a functional physical, digital, and social work environment has now been designed to meet the current demands.

Our work in this project:

  • Strategic workplace development
  • User-centered methods
  • Communication and change management
  • Workplace concepts
  • Workplace consulting
  • Spatial and interior design
  • Inclusive and interactive co-development
  • Signage design
  • Spatial brand elements
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Service design
and collaborative planning

The multifaceted design project involved several stages and progressed in parallel with the construction site. The design included supplementing the architectural plans with a work environment perspective, material planning, loose furniture and equipment design, procurement lists and competitive bidding, branding and signage design, staff-involved workshops, staff surveys, organizing a model workspace, collecting feedback, guided site tours, and change management support for internal operations.
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A new building perfectly suited
for the factory environment

The office space became a modern and intriguing environment, forming a cohesive whole by combining different materials. Distinctive elements of the steel plant were highlighted, while the harmonious and homely color scheme of the furniture and textiles was introduced to soften the overall impression.
Inspiration for the design was drawn from the users’ ideas on atmosphere and naming, the elements of the factory site, and various materials. A unified look is visible in the meeting and project rooms, as well as in the impressive glass wall decals, which evoke reflection on SSAB’s long history, dating back to the Rautaruukki era.
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Our dedicated project team quickly and flexibly adapted to the typical changes that arise in projects, maintaining open communication with the client. The goals were achieved, and the new ways of working are now being actively tested in the new, versatile, and comfortable spaces.
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The collaboration with Kakadu’s designers worked very well, and they offered great suggestions throughout the project. The work was completed on schedule, and we are satisfied with the end result.

Ville Lahtinen, Project Manager, SSAB Europe Oy

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