Stora Enso’s New Timber Office in Helsinki Sets Benchmark for Sustainable Architecture

Stora Enso/©Kalle Kouhia

(IN BRIEF) Stora Enso has opened its new head office, Katajanokan Laituri, in Helsinki, the largest mass timber building in Finland. The four-storey structure, also housing the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4, showcases sustainable, low-carbon construction. Built with prefabricated wood elements, the building has reduced carbon emissions by 35% compared to concrete. It also stores 6,000 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the building’s emissions over the next 50 years. The project reflects Stora Enso’s commitment to climate-friendly construction and urban sustainability. Designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects, the building emphasizes biophilic design for improved well-being.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 19-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Stora Enso’s new head office in Helsinki, Katajanokan Laituri, stands as a prime example of sustainable and low-carbon construction. This four-storey building, the largest mass timber structure in Finland, is a pioneering project in wood-based architecture. The lightweight, prefabricated timber elements allowed the building to be constructed in Helsinki’s historic and culturally significant harbour area, marking the first project of its kind in decades.

Owned by Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company and completed in July 2024, the building houses Stora Enso’s head office as well as the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4. Open to the public, Katajanokan Laituri showcases wood products and solutions, aligning with Stora Enso’s commitment to climate change mitigation and sustainable urban construction.

Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Stora Enso, highlighted the company’s strategic focus on wood-based materials as alternatives to non-renewable resources. “We aim to lead the way in sustainable building solutions and demonstrate the potential of modern wood use in climate-friendly urban construction,” Sohlström stated.

The use of wood reduced the building’s carbon emissions by 35% compared to traditional concrete, and the timber elements themselves have stored 6,000 tonnes of CO₂. This stored carbon will remain within the building for over 100 years, balancing its emissions for the next five decades. The Sylva™ by Stora Enso kit facilitated efficient construction in the dense urban environment, requiring only 171 deliveries and seven months to install over 2,000 custom-made wooden elements.

Katajanokan Laituri’s design also emphasizes adaptability, making it suitable for future repurposing. Its biophilic design, which incorporates natural materials and lighting, aims to improve well-being, productivity, and reduce stress for occupants. The project was executed by Varma in partnership with Haahtela for project management and designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects.

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SOURCE: STORA ENSO OYJ