Dance House Helsinki
- 100 m
- 2022
HTC High Tech Center in Ruoholahti district is located on a site that used to be a dockyard. HTC is a five-building office complex for IT and media companies. The main designer of the building was Kai Wartiainen. The construction was completed in 2001.
The whole Ruoholahti area has been transformed into a mixed-use of housing, offices, and schools for art and media forming a characteristic example of urban re-development. HTC is located next to Kaapelitehdas, an old cable factory turned into a cultural centre.
The main basic façade solution is the same in all buildings but each building has its own character because of the colours and textures of the materials. The site next to the sea with unlimited daylight enables various views during the day through reflections of the sea and the buildings themselves on the glazed neighbouring facades.
The design and form of the complex reflect the old derricks that once were on the local wharfs. The vibrant colours, external load-bearing structures, and escape stairs are also part of the industrial shipyard world. The two upper floors of the buildings overhang the pier of the new marina.
Flexibility and high technical standards were the goals set to the complex. Interiors may be divided among several users as well as the open spaces and rooms can be modified according to different requirements. The two-stripe window system lets the daylight to flow in from the top part of the window, while the lower part opens and provides a view.