Alvar Aalto's "Sugar cube" provides Ilmatar with a modern working environment that reflects the company's values

Alvar Aalto, a pioneer of modern architecture and people-oriented design, originally designed The Sugar cube as Enso Gutzeit's headquarters.

Finnish prosperity has been built from this office building throughout the decades - first through the wealth created by forests, now through clean and renewable energy. Toivanen says that this analogy spoke to them strongly and fitted in particularly well with Ilmatar’s corporate culture and values.

The location of the office building is also a natural reference to Ilmatar’s role as a pioneer in renewable energy.

"The maritime location of the Kanavaranta premises reflects well our company's operations as a developer and builder of wind power.

The building, designed by Alvar Aalto, is iconic, with stunning views of the city and the sea. The sustainability of the property was also important to us from the point of view of our values."

Anna-Maria Palmroos, General Counsel & HR Director, Ilmatar

Originally the need move to new premises was prompted by Ilmatar's rapidly growing business and staff. In the previous premises, the work community was also split between two adjacent buildings, which was not ideal for interaction.

After scouting for suitable premises in the Helsinki city centre area, Ilmatar found
Kanavaranta 1 to be a work environment that supported growth and well-being. The new offices are located on the 4th and 5th floors of the property. The spaces were adapted to meet the company's needs with the expertise of architect Rauno Lehtinen, while respecting the cultural and historical values of the property.

The renovation has resulted in a bright and open space, where the transparency was maintained through the use of room solutions and glass walls. The primary architecture was also preserved, for example, with the meeting rooms on the fifth floor remaining in their original state.

In the new premises, all Ilmatar's experts have their own workstations and plenty of space for a smooth workflow, including meeting rooms, group work rooms, quiet rooms and telephone booths. There is also a large lobby area, two kitchens and a quiet library area.

The services at Kanavaranta 1 have also been found useful at Ilmatar. Mr Toivanen praises the lobby and maintenance services in particular, which have worked excellently from the tenant's point of view, and who have impressed with their willingness to serve.

Mrs. Palmroos, for her part, points to the benefits of shared facilities for tenants. The building's bike parking and changing room facilities have already encouraged some employees to cycle to work, and the building's own parking garage provides easy parking and charging.

Restaurant Toppa, which has opened on the top floor of the office building, has also been seen as important, offering the company's staff a good lunch option just a short lift ride away. Many people actively use Toppa as a lunch restaurant, and in the summer the company also plans to organise a large summer party in the restaurant, which will bring together Ilmatar’s staff from all over the world.

The idea behind Ilmatar is to produce energy that you can be proud of. It is therefore particularly natural for the company to cultivate a similar sense of purpose in its choice of premises.

The company's staff are very happy in their new premises at Kanavaranta 1. The premises, which have been renovated to meet Ilmatar’s needs, are functional and the unique architecture of the building arouses both interest and admiration.

Mr. Toivanen says that the feedback from stakeholders has been nothing but positive, and the choice of premises is seen as a kind of cultural achievement.

A particularly memorable event has also been organised during the spring. During an Easter family day, family members of staff were invited to visit the new premises and hear details of the building's history from the architect.

For the children, the day culminated in an Easter egg hunt, for which Alvar Aalto's human-centred design created a particularly apt and unique setting.

"Alvar Aalto's Sugar cube is a completely exceptional building in Helsinki, Finland and to some extent in the world. It is therefore extremely exciting to work every day in such a masterpiece, where the aesthetics of everyday life are strongly present."

Mikko Toivanen, Senior Advisor & Co-Founder, Ilmatar

Ilmatar is an energy company and independent power producer established in Finland in 2011, focusing exclusively on the development, construction, ownership and operation of renewable energy sources - throughout the project lifecycle.

Ilmattar aims to be one of the largest renewable energy producers and operators in Finland, and with a diverse and rapidly growing Nordic generation base, the company is laying a strong foundation for a better and ecologically sustainable future.

Read more: ilmatar.fi/en