Davidsson Tarkela Siren Architects
Kela’s Main Office Building
Client
Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Description
Renovation
Size br-m2
26 390
Year
2024–

Kela Main office

Constructed between 1953 and 1957 by Aino and Alvar Aalto, Kela's main office stands as a culturally and historically significant total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk). The building was meticulously designed with materials such as red brick, copper, and black granite, and interiors were carefully finished with unique lighting fixtures and bespoke furniture.
Kela’s Main Office Building
Kela’s Main Office Building
Kela’s Main Office Building

Recognizing its profound importance and the need for preservation, Kela has embarked on a thorough renovation project aimed at revitalizing this landmark structure. Based on condition assessments and maintenance reports, the main office building’s key technical systems are at the end of their lifecycle. Additionally, there is a significant need for repairs to elements such as the exterior envelope and deck structure.

At the beginning of 2024 Kela launched the renovation project’s planning phase, focused on determining the project’s scope, cost estimates and timeline. This phase will evaluate the renovation’s breadth, exploring enhancements in the building’s functionality, adaptability and spatial and energy efficiency to align with the demands of contemporary hybrid work environments. The renovation demands extensive expertise from us and collaborative efforts with the National Board of Antiquities and the Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Images: Kela