Could this be the most comfortable office in Finland? Halton, the indoor air expert, has acquired the latest state-of-the-art solutions in its own premises in Tripla, Helsinki, to improve the well-being of its employees. One way of doing this is biophilic design, which imitates nature.
The International WELL Building Institute has awarded Halton headquarters with a platinum-level certificate. WELL certification scores properties according to how they affect the health and well-being of users. Platinum is the highest level in the system.
“We aimed for gold, but we got platinum! We are proud and grateful for this recognition. As an expert in demanding interiors, we want to set an example of how offices can be improved in many ways so that they truly promote well-being,” says Anu Saxén, Managing Director at Halton.
The certificate has ten areas: air, water, light, sound, water, nourishment, thermal comfort, materials, community, movement, and mind. These areas are scored, and their development will be monitored in the future.
“Humans have evolved to live outdoors, but we spend 90 percent of our time inside buildings. Fortunately, we have great solutions that enable people to thrive despite spending so much time indoors. You can’t bring a forest into the office, but you can actually bring some of its features,” says Saxén.
One key element in the blueprint of Halton’s headquarters has been biophilic design, i.e. design imitating nature. This includes wooden surfaces, earthy colors, natural materials, air-purifying green walls, and human-centric lighting and acoustics. Large natural light panels on the wall and ceiling imitate the natural light of a Finnish summer day, intensifying at noon and dimming in the afternoon. All other lighting is connected to the same circadian rhythm. Speakers emit an unnoticeable white noise that helps the brain to focus. The volume of speech in the premises has been muffled with acoustic surfaces.
“Sometimes big solutions are simple. During the planning phase, we noticed that in the drawings the meeting rooms were on the south side of the building. The room arrangement was reshuffled, and the meeting rooms were moved to the north wall. That way the sun doesn’t shine in on the meetings, and the air conditioning uses less energy,” says Saxén.
The office’s automatic ventilation system is based on Halton’s own products. Sensors measure the amount of carbon dioxide and temperature, and the power of the ventilation changes depending on how many people are in different spaces. The so-called demand-controlled ventilation saves approximately 50 percent of energy compared to traditional solutions. The ventilation of Halton’s office operates separately from the rest of the building. This is made possible by a dedicated ring duct, which was installed during the construction phase of Tripla.
“We promote well-being in our customers’ properties, and sustainability is one of Halton’s most important values. That’s why it’s important that we live as we teach,” says Saxén. The office conditions have received praise from Halton employees. Guests have also noticed the difference to the regular office. “Here I’m never tired after a day’s work. There is always enough oxygen in meeting rooms and retreat spaces. They also have ventilation, unlike in many premises. We receive a lot of customers here, and many have praised how good it feels to be in this office,” says HR director, Anne-Marie Ruohonen.
Halton’s office comprises 615 square meters and is located on the 14th floor of Tripla. Opened in 2019, Tripla cost more than one billion euros and was one of the most expensive construction projects in Finland.
Additional Information
Anu Saxén
Director, SBA Halton
+358 (0)40 501 6209
anu.saxen@halton.com
About Halton
Halton Group is a global technology leader providing indoor air solutions for challenging public, work, and business spaces, healthcare facilities, laboratories, professional kitchens, offshore sites, as well as energy production and industrial environments. Halton’s goal is to offer end-users safe, comfortable, and productive indoor environments that are also energy-efficient and in line with sustainable development principles. The company was founded in Finland in 1969. Today, Halton Group employs over 1,900 people in nearly 40 countries. The company’s turnover in 2023 was approximately 323 million USD (Eur 300 million). www.halton.com
About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its WELL ratings, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. www.wellcertified.com
