Olla » Works » Worklife » Maistraatinportti

A renovated postmodern landmark where old and new engage in dialogue

Maistraatinportti

Location: Helsinki
Area: 18 000 m²
Client: YIT
Completion year: 2023

Photos: Martin Sommerschield, Kuvio

Located in Pasila, Helsinki, Maistraatinportti is an example of a building where a strong original architectural identity meets the evolving spatial requirements of today.

Designed by architect Ilmo Valjakka and completed in 1987, the former headquarters of Otavamedia has been given a new lease of life through an extensive refurbishment and adaptive reuse project designed by Olla.

Respectful of the building’s defining characteristics, the design integrates the original architectural concept with contemporary building technologies and flexible workplace environments. The property underwent a comprehensive renovation. The façade was entirely renewed, including both exterior wall surfaces and windows. The interior spaces were reconfigured to accommodate the demands of modern office work, and the building’s range of uses was expanded. Street-accessible retail premises were introduced on the ground floor, while the representational spaces on the eighth floor were converted into office use. At the same time, a terrace that had previously been an outdoor space was incorporated into the interior. As a result of these interventions, the building’s gross floor area increased by nearly 400 square metres.

The design approach for Maistraatinportti was rooted in its distinctive original architecture. The façade is based on a rigorous mathematical system and a modular grid that divides the surface into a series of regular square units. In the original façade, this grid was composed of the joints between prefabricated elements and ceramic tiles.

Rather than replicating this architectural logic directly, the refurbishment reinterprets it through contemporary construction methods and technologies. The new façade follows the original modular grid, but the subdivision is now expressed through three-dimensional façade elements that create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. In this way, the building’s recognizable geometry is preserved while the façade is comprehensively updated in technical and functional terms.