The purpose of the annually conferred award is to encourage innovative architecture. A further goal is to bring together countries that value wood construction. The winner was announced at the “14th Forum International Bois Construction (FBC)” wood construction event held in Paris, France.
“For us, Katajanokan Laituri has been an atypical project in terms of its demanding location, construction materials and its architecture. The modern wooden commercial property is a perfect fit for our investment portfolio, strategy and environmental values. We are especially happy that Katajanokan Laituri received an award that highlights top European wood architecture expertise,” says Sampsa Ratia, Head of Real Assets at Varma.
According to the competition jury, the winning building, designed by Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit, complements the prestigious, historical surroundings, while at the same time setting high standards for future construction projects.
“In many ways, Katajanokan Laituri was a challenging and visionary project with highly ambitious goals from the very beginning. We are delighted to share this international recognition with everyone involved in the project. The award is a great addition to the recent success stories of Finnish wood architecture,” says Architect Selina Anttinen of Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit.
Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo
Katajanokan Laituri praised for its architecture and design that complements its surroundings
The wood architecture award was presented for the seventh time. In the competition, architectural magazines from five countries each proposed a maximum of three projects from their own countries. The countries involved were Finland, Switzerland, Germany, France and Sweden.
The jury that picked the winner praised the building’s design that complements its surroundings, its architecture, its beautiful details and the prominence of its supporting structures.
“Wood is omnipresent in the building’s structures, cladding, and interior decoration. The use of solid wood is beautifully on display in the details and the use of different wood species creates a warm and inviting ambience,” the jury states in a press release.
Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo
Photo: Kalle Kouhia
Katajanokan Laituri aims to be a leader in modern wood construction
Katajanokan Laituri was completed in summer 2024. Varma’s ambition was to create a building with a long, useful lifecycle, which is versatile, low carbon and energy efficient. The structural solutions and design of the spaces allow the interior to be modified as needs change over time.
The building consists of four above-ground floors, a rooftop terrace with a recreational area and a basement floor containing technical facilities and parking. The street level features facilities that open up into the surrounding city environs: a restaurant, a café, office and conference facilities and other services. A shared lobby that opens seaward across the street acts as a meeting place for the building’s various tenants, visitors and city residents.
The building houses Stora Enso’s head office and the Solo Sokos Pier 4 hotel.