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The 125-year-old organization got a work environment that supports its renewed culture

The Association of Finnish pharmacies

Location: Helsinki
Year: 2022
Client: The Association of Finnish pharmacies

Photos: Martin Sommerschield, Kuvio

Our collaboration with the Association of Finnish pharmacies started half a decade ago, when we researched the possibilities to modernize AFP’s former office building, a historically significant property at the heart of Helsinki.  At the same time, new working methods for the association were surveyed together with the personnel. Through the workshops and surveys, the vision of the desired changes finally led to the decision to look for completely new premises for the AFP.

The design process was driven by the association’s wish to renew its working culture. To ensure a successful change, the staff was tightly involved in the process: in addition to workshops and questionnaires, regular plan presentations encouraged the employees to give feedback on the designs that were then modified according to the comments. To support both interaction and concentration, the new working environment consists of versatile spaces with varying furniture solutions, soundscapes, and atmospheres.

The new office of the association of Finnish pharmacies is a place for interacting, sharing, and collaborating. It also considers the many requirements of hybrid working. There are areas dedicated to concentrating and working silently as well as rooms for video calls and private chats. The cozy meeting areas – such as the working café and other spaces perfect for collaboration and ideation – tempt the remote workers to the office. The office also has a studio space for recording educational materials and press conferences.

Most importantly: the users have loved their new office space and felt that the environment gives their workday the best possible support. The calm, spacious surroundings honor the association’s strong brand and its long history. Although the AFP office was designed with a strongly future-oriented mindset, the lounge area presents a possibility to also admire the past: the glass cabinets with the old medicine bottles and equipment offer fascinating sneak peeks at the long history of Finnish pharmacies.

The calm, spacious surroundings honor the association’s strong brand and its long history. Although the AFP office was designed with a strongly future-oriented mindset, the lounge area presents a possibility to also admire the past: the glass cabinets with the old medicine bottles and equipment offer fascinating sneak peeks at the long history of Finnish pharmacies.

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