Mission Possible – Projects in Tripla and Lippulaiva
My background is as an architectural designer in a development and project management company. In recent years, I have focused on commercial space design in the shopping centres of Tripla and Lippulaiva.
In new build projects, the commercial premises of a shopping centre are individual architectural and principal design assignments within a larger project. My varied background from previous projects has definitely been an asset in shopping centre projects. I had worked on shopping centre projects before, so joining Tripla’s design team seemed like a natural step.
Each commercial space is a unique piece of work that requires creativity and problem-solving skills to ensure that the plans are based on specifications and spatial solutions that meet the regulations and are feasible. The job also requires project management skills, the ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously, and good interpersonal skills. In most cases, the conditions for success are supported by curiosity and genuine enthusiasm for the assignment.
The practical work highlights Arco’s sophisticated information modelling systems and smooth working methods to produce designs. Effective tools and clear systems for implementing plans contribute to the meaningfulness of the work. In this working environment, I have been able to concentrate on the essentials, i.e. the actual design work.
Work done in projects is the best teacher. I can learn new things all the time, as long as I keep my eyes open and take a bold and active approach to whatever comes my way. The ability to apply knowledge from previous projects is a useful skill in commercial space design.
When I was commissioned for the Tripla shopping centre project, I started designing sports and event spaces, including. Surf House for Helsinki and Biitsi for Pasila, located inside the Pasila metro tunnel. My first tasks included 3D modelling of a rather monumental surf pool filled with chlorinated water and sand fields with underfloor heating. In its early stages, the construction of the premises in a raw space with crushed stone floors and load-bearing steel and concrete structures was more akin to industrial construction than to commercial construction. So-called indoor summer conditions with sports and leisure facilities were built on the premises. It was rewarding to be involved in implementing a very specific business concept, which has a place as a kind of attraction in Tripla’s marketing.
In the Lippulaiva project, I was given overall responsibility for commercial space design. In practice, during the project, I worked with almost all the commercial premises. I also bumped into familiar faces from previous projects in Lippulaiva’s tenants, and it was nice to see a certain trust in them when it came to working on a joint project again. Citycon’s role as an excellent and active client deserves special mention. This is also reflected in the successful interior design of the shopping centre. In Lippulaiva, the client gave Arco the means to create a coherent and detailed shopping aisle appearance that respects the building’s façade. In shop design, we work at this interface to coordinate the look of the shops with the overall interior design concept of Lippulaiva.
Both shopping centres offer a comprehensive range of commercial spaces, from large grocery stores to speciality shops and restaurants of all sizes. Commercial space design responds to the needs of all these actors, each separately. We always try to create the most functional spatial solution for the commercial space based on the initial data and the contractual conditions. Each shop has its own role to play in the commercial mix.
The concepts of commercial visibility and services in shopping centre premises are generally highly sophisticated, but also regularly evolving. The grocery trade is also seeking new influences from elsewhere in Europe, for example, in the form of market-style stores and in-store restaurant services. There is a general trend towards online sales of products. Shopping centres can compete with online shopping with their service concepts, and customer-friendly and professional product sales services. The current trend is also for shopping centres to specialise more and more in service businesses such as restaurants and wellness services, rather than, for example, fashion, which focuses on online sales.
To succeed in my specialised field of design, I need to be able to embrace the needs and business concepts of the client and the end user. Designing large shopping centres has given my own career a boost and valuable work experience.
I would also like to highlight the importance of the synergy of the project team. Typically, project work is done under pressure. The team needs personalities that maintain a sense of purposeful optimism. A patient attitude helps everyone involved in the project. The nature of the team members is weighed in problem situations and the real radiative impact of the problems must be perceived. Small issues should not be made a fuss about, while more challenging ones should be dealt with in a fully transparent and appropriate manner, focusing on the solution. We are all building a meaningful atmosphere within the project.
I am currently orienting myself towards new roles after the shopping centre projects. Projects change, but creativity and adaptability are still needed. I will continue to look for a role where the designer’s duty is to respond to the client’s needs and to make things possible.
Sakari Kangasmetsä
Architect
