Wed Sep 25 10:00:23 UTC 2024: ## Helsinki Embraces Wood: Stora Enso Headquarters Showcases Sustainable Architecture

**Helsinki, Finland** – Anttinen Oiva Architects has unveiled a stunning new landmark in Helsinki: the Katajanokan Laituri building, a four-storey, mass-timber structure that serves as the headquarters for forestry giant Stora Enso. Situated in the historic Kauppatori market district, the building also houses a 164-room hotel and a restaurant, showcasing the potential of wood construction in a sensitive urban environment.

The 16,400-square-meter building, featuring a green rooftop terrace and a basement car park, boasts a striking facade that blends glass, natural stone, and white metal lamellas with a timber structure. This innovative approach, dubbed a “double skin,” was chosen to address the challenging maritime context and create a dynamic aesthetic that shifts throughout the day.

Inside, Katajanokan Laituri embraces timber throughout, with walls, floors, and furniture crafted from spruce and ash. The central hall, a shared entrance for offices and hotel, features a striking rounded, slatted ceiling topped by a skylight and a circular timber bench. The hotel, designed by Franz, offers minimalist timber interiors and sustainable luxury, while the restaurant, Harbore, enjoys street-level access.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Katajanokan Laituri is a testament to sustainable design. The building utilizes 7,600 cubic meters of wood, primarily in the form of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber, and prioritizes the use of renewable resources. The project aligns with Helsinki’s Carbon Neutral Helsinki Initiative, aiming to make the city carbon neutral by 2035.

The building stands as a beacon in Helsinki’s rapidly evolving South Harbour, joining other recent timber-focused projects, including Verstas Architects’ timber pavilion, a permanent fixture since the 2021 Helsinki Biennial. The harbour will soon be home to the eagerly anticipated New Museum of Architecture and Design, whose design will be selected from 623 anonymous proposals in September 2025.

Katajanokan Laituri serves as a bold statement, showcasing the potential of timber construction to create both stunning aesthetics and environmentally conscious buildings. The project exemplifies Helsinki’s dedication to sustainable urban development and its commitment to building a more sustainable future.

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