Davidsson Tarkela Siren Architects
Client
Arthur Buchardt
Description
New build
Size br-m2
25 500
Year
2016

Clarion Hotel

The Clarion Hotel Helsinki tower acts as an accent in the newly converted Helsinki port area of Jätkäsaari. The two hotel towers (78 and 68.5 meters tall) dominate the skyline, while at the same time providing continuity with the surrounding cityscape. The higher of the two towers is angled as a continuation of one the city’s main arteries, Bulevardi, whereas the lower tower is angled with the Jätkäsaari blocks towards Heitalahti Square. The facades of the towers are not illuminated ‒ they change character in accordance with the quality of the daylight. High windows and aluminium panels lend the facade a subtle relief-like surface.

The hotel floors consist of 425 varying sized rooms with a sky bar, sauna, pool and fitness area on the top floor. The sky bar and the cantilevered glazed-end pool provides guests with a spectacular view over the Baltic Sea, the harbour and the city of Helsinki. The ground floor also houses a café and bar with outdoor areas along the harbour bay. The 7-meter high lobby connects the 14 hotel floors to the event and congress centre of the old harbour magazine.

During the design process we solved key issues through bringing consistency to building practices and part-production processes, marrying Finnish construction methods and design practice with international ones, harmonizing varied contract practices, as well as managing cultural differences and varied perceptions of responsibilities. In addition to the multinational nature of the project, we solved specific technical issues unique to a building of this height that required specialist construction expertise.