Collage: September
Collage is a monthly summary of Olla’s news. In September, Olla celebrated both collaboration and concrete achievements — such as a strong placement in the design competition for the new Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki, positive recognition for the office building Haiku in Finnish Architectural Review, and the progress of several exciting projects across Finland.
Olla’s proposal for the new Architecture and Design Museum selected to the upper category in the international competition
The design competition for the new Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki received 624 submissions from architect teams around the world.
Olla’s proposal, Crescendo, performed very well and reached the upper category alongside 64 other entries. Crescendo received praise for its original concept and striking architectural expression. The jury highlighted the massive, terraced balconies emphasizing sea views as a strong and visually impressive feature. The entrance hall was described as spacious and clearly organized, and the museum was regarded as easily accessible thanks to multiple entrances. Additionally, the carefully chosen material palette complemented the monumentality of the architecture.
The competition was won by JKMM Architects’ proposal, Kumma. Olla congratulates the winners and looks forward to all the possibilities the new museum will bring!
Read more about the Architecture and Design Museum architecture competition and all submitted proposals here.
“Kaikukatu 3 gives hope that in the future, more unwanted buildings will be seen as opportunities” – Olla’s renovation project praised in Finnish Architectural Review
“Kaikukatu 3 stands firmly in place, reminding us that demolition is not the only option,” writes journalist-architect Ella Kaira in her review for Finnish Architectural Review. The Haiku office building at Kaikukatu 3 was transformed from a bystander into a trendsetter through a bold preservation decision, ambitious design, and a commitment to reusing as much of the existing structure and materials as possible—all while staying within a tight budget. “For the money spent, a lot more has been achieved than could have been expected,” the review notes, praising the final result.
Read the full review of the renovated Haiku here. Published both online and in print, the Finnish Architectural Review (Arkkitehti) is the only Finnish magazine focused on architecture and one of the oldest architecture publications still in circulation worldwide.
Construction begins: The English School will get new facilities in South Haaga
The English School is a bilingual private school in Helsinki, currently operating on two separate sites. In the future, all school activities will be brought under one roof. Olla has designed new facilities that will enable closer collaboration and continuous learning pathways from preschool to high school.
The new campus is being built on two adjacent plots. Its architecture highlights diverse learning experiences and a strong connection to nature. The dignified brick building, reflecting the values of its users, will also provide new spaces for the local community, including specialized classrooms and a large dining hall with a stage.
The school is scheduled to open in 2027 and will accommodate around 820 students and 95 staff members.
Follow the live camera feed to see the school’s construction progress in South Haaga, Helsinki!
Follow the construction: Building Finland’s first recycling shopping centre
Olla is designing a first-of-its-kind recycling center in Finland that combines the reuse of second-hand items with material sorting. The complex, that is being built in Kuopio next to Matkus Shopping Center, will include a 6,000 m² shopping center and an equally large, modern sorting facility.
The shopping center will repair, refurbish, and sell used items. The sorting facility separates and recycles materials that in the past could only be burned for energy The recycling center will be operated by Elävä Säätiö, and the sorting facility by Jätekukko. The entire complex will be developed and leased by Ingka Centres Kuopio.
Follow the construction site’s live camera to see the progress of the unique recycling shopping center. You can also read more about the project, including how the reuse of materials and products is reflected in the building’s architecture, here.
Raising a toast to teamwork – Olla’s autumn party celebrated great collaboration, clients and colleagues
Olla wants to bring together inspiring people and ideas, both within and beyond projects. At the end of September, the Ruoholahti office hosted the firm’s now-traditional autumn party, celebrating collaboration and everyone who makes it possible.
At Olla, we firmly believe that anything in architecture is possible when the right expertise and passion come together toward a shared goal — something truly worth celebrating!
