HIMLA Arkkitehdit Oy becomes part of ARCO

Founded in 2015, HIMLA Arkkitehdit Oy is known for its high-quality design, project expertise and long-standing client relationships. The company’s public sector special expertise and strong reputation as a designer of demanding projects complement ARCO’s nationwide network excellently. In addition, HIMLA’s corporate culture and design philosophy are a natural fit with ARCO’s ways of working.

The merger will be reflected above all in a broader pool of expertise available to clients and new learning opportunities for personnel. Thanks to the strengthened teams, HIMLA’s current clients can in future be offered an even broader range of services, such as BIM coordination, landscape design and versatile digital solutions.

“I am pleased to share that HIMLA is joining forces with ARCO. This is a natural and inspiring step forward in our company’s story. The construction sector and our clients’ needs are constantly evolving, and increasingly complex projects require broad-based specialist expertise, from sustainability targets to digital innovations. By becoming part of Finland’s leading architecture group, we gain the support of a nationwide network of top experts and stronger resources. At the same time, we can offer our personnel the best conditions in the industry for development.

Although our backing is becoming stronger, our day-to-day work will continue with the same uncompromising and personal approach as before. The change will be seen above all in our ability to serve our clients more comprehensively and in the confidence that our resources will be sufficient for any project. ARCO shares our view of high-quality, timeless and human-centred architecture. I look forward to this new chapter and to everything we can achieve together with our clients and our new ARCO colleagues,” says Jari Mäkimartti, CEO of HIMLA.

“ARCO has developed rapidly in recent years. In a challenging market situation, we focused on client projects and refining our operating model. Now was the right time to accelerate development by selectively continuing acquisitions that support our strategy. HIMLA’s strong reputation for quality is well known in the industry, and their design expertise complements ARCO and strengthens the company in many ways. Cooperation with the founders, Jari, Topi and Jussi, has been inspiring from the very beginning, and I look forward to the energy of a new community of almost seventy Tampere-based experts,” says Marko Somerma, CEO of ARCO.

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About the companies

ARCO Architecture Company Oy is a multidisciplinary architecture company founded in 2021. After the merger, the company’s revenue will be approximately EUR 21 million (pro forma). ARCO has offices in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Oulu, and the company employs 176 experts, of whom 66 are based in Tampere. The company is owned by Intera Partners, senior architects and management.    

HIMLA Arkkitehdit Oy was founded in 2015. The company employs a total of 18 top experts in Tampere and Lahti.

Intera Partners Oy is a private equity firm focusing on the growth and internationalisation of Finnish and Swedish companies. Intera manages two active funds with total capital commitments of EUR 585 million. The funds have a total of 14 portfolio companies, which currently employ more than 6,000 people and have combined revenue of more than EUR 750 million. The funds’ investors include leading Nordic and European institutional investors.