Metsätalo Restaurant
Stylish and finished look
Client
University of Helsinki
Information
2020
What we did
Interior design
Furniture design
Location
Helsinki
Metsätalo, built in 1936, is the University of Helsinki’s functionalist gem, whose restaurant serves as a lively meeting place for the Faculty of Arts. To better serve its students and their needs, the restaurant was due for an update – the goal was to create a city’s most inviting student restaurant that could serve as a living room and study space outside of the restaurant’s opening hours.
The new furniture layout offers more diverse seating arrangements that suit both larger groups and individual work. The space is divided into various sections that create a more intimate atmosphere in the large restaurant hall.
The interior design draws inspiration from Metsätalo’s original 1930s details and the era’s stunning color palette. Bold color combinations, different woods, and various acoustic surfaces establish an inviting space that stays true to the building’s architectural heritage and invites guests to stay awhile.
”University of Helsinki’s premises are developed in close collaboration with their users. During the last years, the university has invested heavily in the development of work and learning environments. Our partner KOKO3 has had a significant role in this process. The diverse expertise of KOKO3’s designers and the in-depth focus on our projects has received positive feedback among university staff. The collaborative methods applied to the development projects have been stimulating and have generated demonstrative design plans that engage user groups. The plans have truly served as the base for steering the implementation plans of our construction projects.”
Ari Nisonen
Property Manager, University of Helsinki
