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Modern daycare environment in a historic building

Kaartin Lasaretti is a historic building complex in Helsinki that originally served as a military hospital. The complex occupies an entire city block and consists of buildings constructed at different times, the oldest dating back to the 1820s and 1830s. Currently, the block is being redeveloped to bring long-vacant buildings back into use and reintegrate them into vibrant urban life.

As part of a broader transformation process, a red brick building completed in 1884 was converted into a daycare centre. The change of use and renovation were carried out by Sarc+Sigge. Olla was responsible for the loose furniture design of the new daycare unit, strongly guided by the original spirit of the 150-year-old building.

The loose furniture design was guided by the distinct needs of each unit and the City of Helsinki’s education division goals for reuse and recycling. Core principles included functionality, safety, and comfort, with a strong focus on enhancing children’s everyday experiences, play, and learning.

Furniture selections and the colour palette respected the building’s original architectural character by using harmonious, period-appropriate tones and materials that complement the overall spatial identity. As a whole, the loose furniture design creates a balanced integration of the building’s history and a modern daycare environment.

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