Client interview with University of Helsinki architect Pirjo Ranta

After a long project, one mostly feels a sense of sadness and pride

During her long career, University of Helsinki campus architect Pirjo Ranta has been involved on numerous projects, the most recent of which were the renovations done on the Siltavuorenpenger quarter. We worked in close collaboration with her on the project design.

Renovation of Building 5 (the old Minerva building) was completed in 2022, while renovation work on buildings 1A, 1B and 3 were finished this spring. The projects were part of a larger restructuring of the facilities, as the university has long wanted to improve the use of space in its buildings and entirely discontinue the use of other buildings.

Some 2,000 usable square metres were saved through space alterations, functional alterations were made for new uses, and updates to the buildings’ utilities improved their energy efficiency. According to Ranta, the client organisation has been satisfied with both the project process and the end result.

Ranta praises LPR Architects for their design work on protected sites: “In my opinion, a designer should know how to identify elements in an old building that are essential, valuable and worthy of preservation. Nothing was over-renovated on our project, with the new structures and solutions clearly being new and new-looking, not to mention working in harmony with the old.”

The design work was done in collaboration by three parties, including the end users of the facilities. Indeed, the challenge from a user standpoint was that the plans had to be hammered out early on in the project. According to Ranta, collaboration with the users went well and plans were fine-tuned along the way.

Making alterations to spaces to better serve the needs of study groups played a central role in the Siltavuorenpenger 1-3 projects, whereas the intended use of spaces in Building 5 changed from instruction to university office space in accordance with a multi-purpose office concept.

Building 1B saw the biggest changes to its indoor spaces. Even though every inch of the space must be used for different purposes, Ranta is gratified that the end result is functional and bright. “The skill in the design is perhaps that no compromises were made on the dimensions required for university operations, not even in the tightest of spaces,” she says.

At the conclusion of the project, she also felt a tinge of sadness: “It’s been a very gratifying experience and I certainly won’t forget these projects any time soon.”

Pictured: A-Insinöörit Project Manager Maija-Liisa Rantala (left) and Pirjo Ranta (right) On the Siltavuorenpenger 5 construction site.