Collage 1/26: Competition success, one of Europe’s largest skating rinks, and a rare Neo-Renaissance property
The collage brings together Olla’s latest news. We continue developing the new building for the internationally significant Niuvanniemi Hospital following the shared competition win. One of Europe’s largest artificial ice rinks, renovated through a refurbishment designed by Olla, has been buzzing with activity throughout the winter. We are also looking for a new colleague – could you be the next member of the Olla team?
Shared win for Olla and Granlund in the Niuvanniemi Hospital architecture competition
The proposal “Niityllä” was awarded a shared first prize in the invited competition organised by Senate Properties and SAFA. The aim of the competition was to find a high-quality solution that supports long-term patient care and modern research activities. Following the competition, a further development phase is now underway to determine which of the two winning proposals will be selected for implementation.
“The solution presented by the team is skilfully executed. The use of symmetry and the existing coordinate system connects the new building to the strict hierarchy of the historic hospital environment, while the ‘liberation’ of symmetry gives the building a gentle character, reduces its institutional feel, and reflects a contemporary, human dignity-centred approach,” the jury states in its evaluation report.
Located in Kuopio, the 140-year-old Niuvanniemi Hospital campus is a nationally and internationally significant centre for demanding specialist-level care, forensic psychiatric research, and expert services. The selected two design teams will continue developing their proposals in close collaboration with users and experts, after which the best proposal will be selected as the overall design solution for the project.
What does Olla and Granlund’s (formerly Raami Architects) vision for the future of forensic psychiatric care look like? Read more here (in Finnish).
The Oulunkylä artificial ice rink, renovated as part of a refurbishment designed by Olla, invites everyone to enjoy winter
Did you know that the main field at Oulunkylä Sports Park becomes Europe’s largest continuous artificial ice rink during the winter season?
Beloved by Helsinki residents and heavily used year-round, the field was renovated as part of a major refurbishment project designed by Olla. The project also transformed the park’s service building into a versatile indoor sports centre and extended the functional lifespan of the ice hall, which had reached the end of its technical service life.
The renewed Oulunkylä Sports Centre serves city residents throughout the year. In winter, the field offers free public skating sessions, while in summer it can be used for activities such as basketball, tennis, table tennis, and the newer sport of teqball. The service building’s diverse indoor sports facilities invite group exercise and gym training all year round. Explore the renewed sports centre here!
New project features: Eerikinkatu 4 is a rare Neo-Renaissance property in the heart of Helsinki
Eerikinkatu 4 consists of three buildings of different ages, all of which are well over 100 years old. Olla designed the refurbishment of this architecturally and historically significant ensemble, with the aim of restoring spaces and details as closely as possible to their original appearance. As part of the renovation, new attic apartments were built to the upper floors, and the nearly 150-year-old log building located in the courtyard was refurbished into office space.
What makes Eerikinkatu 4 such a rare property? Read more about this fascinating project here.
Still time to apply – join our team!
We are looking for an architect to join Olla! The application period is open until 13 February 2026, but we will be interviewing candidates during the application period—so don’t wait! You can find all the details here (the application information is in Finnish, since the role requires fluent Finnish).
