Viikinmäki, located on a steep slope that descends to the banks of the Vantaanjoki River, is one of the most distinctive districts of Helsinki. The land descending south of the building is located in the western part of Viikinmäki. In terms of topology, the plot is a rocky slope typical of the area. The architecture of the Viikinmäki korttelitalo follows the construction instructions “Viikinmäki kukkulakaupunki” of the city of Helsinki in a style that is characteristic of a stone city rising from a rock. Rocks and height differences make the building and its surroundings very diverse.

The color palette of Finnish granite serves as the basic shades of Viikinmäki buildings. In the direction of the children’s yards, the exterior materials of the korttelitalo change into warm wood materials. The building is centrally located, and you will immediately notice it when you enter the Viikinmäki district. From the south, it forms a visible landmark all the way to Lahdentie.

We had to think about the fire safety of the wooden facade on the side of the building, which cannot be reached by emergency department vehicles. The extinguishing possibilities of the wooden facade were improved by bringing a pressurized fire water piping onto the facade, to which the fire department can attach its extinguishing hose. We paid special attention to fire breaks and joints of the wooden facades, as well as to the formation of fire compartments related to wood facades so that a fire does not spread from one compartment to another through the facade.

Construction of the building began in June 2013. The total cost estimate of the project was EUR 13 million and the scope was approximately 3,600 gross square meters. The work was commissioned by the Helsingin Kaupungin Rakennusvirasto. Our partner in the project was the architectural office AFKS / Architects Frondelius + Keppo + Salmenperä Oy . The Viikinmäki korttelitalo was completed in 2014, and its operations began in January 2015, when the kindergarten and primary school began operations.

The Vuosaari road tunnel is a 1520-meter-long road tunnel belonging to regional road 103 that undercuts the Labbacka rock area in the Salmenkallio district and continues under Porvarinlahti to Vuosaari harbor. Under Porvarinlahti, the tunnel runs 25 meters below sea level.

The tunnel was opened in October 2007. At its completion it was the longest road tunnel in Finland, but at the moment it has already dropped from the top spot to third place.

The clients of the projects were Rock Design Oy Rockplan Ltd and E.M. Pekkinen Oy. The tunnel was completed in 2007. Our challenges were smoke control and exit safety in a tunnel more than a kilometer long. We solved the challenges by simulating the fire scenarios with different smoke scenarios and sought workable solutions so that the exit safety and the operating conditions of the emergency facility in the tunnel are as good as possible.