Client projects: Veritas Pension Insurance
Flexible, versatile premises at a distinguished old building in the city centre
The goal of the relocation of Veritas Pension Insurance’s Helsinki branch was to promote a new, more inclusive work culture. The company had already moved its Turku headquarters to a brand-new building in 2018, and this move had been preceded by a workplace design process in which the company's employees were widely encouraged to take part. The Helsinki relocation process started from the premise that the new Helsinki site should offer the same work environment experience as the Turku site, and that it should be recognisable as a Veritas site.
“For the new Helsinki site, we wanted modernity and respectability, but also a homey, down-to-earth feel,” says Anni af Hällström, Office Assistant at Veritas.
Whereas the Turku relocation involved a move to a new building, the Helsinki branch chose a very different type of working environment for their new office, at a distinguished old building in the city centre. This space was a bit smaller than the previous one in terms of floor space, so a lot of design attention was devoted to ensuring that there would be adequate space for workstations and conference rooms. An additional wish was that the conference rooms would be modifiable for multiple purposes.
"We had a very smooth collaboration with Kinnarps. They listened to our requests and incorporated them into the layout and interior design of our workspaces. With various details such as the lighting, their professionals were able to make good choices that suited the old, distinguished site we had chosen."
In the lounge area, the wood surfaces and soft, earthy tones convey a welcoming atmosphere to guests.
Important role for sustainability and responsibility
In keeping with principles of sustainable development, efforts were also made to keep existing furniture. From the old furniture, items such as electric sit-stand desks were chosen to come along as part of the move, as long as they were in good condition and properly sized. The remaining furniture was recycled by Kinnarps. The furniture choices had largely already been made at the time of the Turku headquarters move, and an important factor in these choices were sustainability considerations.
The wood surfaces and earthy tones have proved to be attractive to both the company's employees and international customers, who tend to spend the most time in the lounge and conference spaces. The interior design is stylish and the work areas have a calm and homey atmosphere. The soft acoustics environment and improved lighting contribute to the comfortable feel of the space. There are isolated silent rooms that provide peace and quiet for work requiring heavy concentration.
Kinnarps' services enlisted by Veritas
For the office move, Veritas hired Kinnarps for its moving, interior design, and recycling services.
Range of different meeting spaces for customer negotiations and internal meetings
From the high-backed Apollo armchairs, one can admire the art on the opposite wall or look out on Helsinki's Esplanade Park. The coffee table is a black, simplified Matsumoto.
The lounge area's colour schemes are soft and inviting. The lightweight Neo Lite chairs offer seating at the window.
The wheeled Multicom meeting tables are easy to move, which comes in handy for situations such as video conferencing.
The variety of low, high and soft seating in the different meeting rooms improves the ergonomics of the work environment. With the half-height Nexus meeting tables, one can meet standing up or sitting down.
Read more about holistic ergonomics
The Vibe partition screens contribute to a better acoustic environment and an increased level of calm in the office. The shelving on the room divider offers a natural place for indoor plants, which adds harmony to their surroundings.
The three best things about the new working environment
According to HR Director Jenni Kosunen and Office Assistant Anni af Hällström, the three best things about the new working environment are:
1. The colour palette, earthiness and elegance, and softness of the shapes in the environment.
2. How delightful it is when people enter the premises for the first time and are invariably pleasantly surprised by the environment, and say so.
3. How the interior design has made it possible to achieve a unified, recognisable “Veritas look”.
Photo: Timo Kauppila
Text: Liselott Bergholm-Slotte, Kinnarps Oy
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