September 2021
FINLAND AT DUBAI EXPO 2020
Sustainable solutions on a global scale KONE is building a global ecosystem with an ambitious goal, says Amy Chen, Chief Innovation Officer at KONE Corporation. Page 6
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Finland is open for international collaboration. Sauli Niinistö
President of the Republic of Finland
Space, privacy, and the great outdoors Finland provides a balanced mix of activities. For sport enthusiasts, Finland’s hilly, forest-covered landscape creates suitable conditions for mountain biking. Finland's thousand lakes are perfect spots for canoeing and kayaking together with water jet safaris. Page 16
• ISKU brings sustainable design to life at Expo 2020 Dubai. page 7 • Granlund Manager helps property owners improve the value of their assets. page 9 • Finland has developed an infrastructure for happiness. page 12
FINland at dubai expo 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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Message from the President of the Republic of Finland
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BUSINESS FINLAND – Finland Pavilion: Sharing Future Happiness
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KONE – Urbanization Needs Sustainable Solutions on a Global Scale
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ISKU – Naturally from Finland
8 POSIVA SOLUTIONS Provides Tailored Expert Services in the Final Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel 9
GRANLUND – The Best Properties in the World Need the Smartest Maintenance Tools
10 OULU – City on the Edge 11 ICEYE – Persistent Satellite Imagery Available Every 24 Hours for the First Time 12 JKMM ARCHITECTS – Building Happiness 12 NEW NORDIC SCHOOL – Why Hybrid Learning Is Here to Stay 13 HAAGA HELIA UNIVERSITY– The Future of Education 14 SATAKUNTA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES – One Step at a Time 15 TURKU BUSINESS REGION – The Future Begins in Southwest Finland 16 VISIT FINLAND – Space, Privacy, and the Great Outdoors: This is Finland! 18 NANOKSI – Protection by Light at a Nano Level 19 L7 DRIVE – Smart Cities Need Smart Battery Solutions 19 WEIGHTCLINIC.ONLINE – Weight Happiness is the Key to Weight Loss 20 VIDEOVISIT – Remote Care -Improves Patient Wellbeing While Lowering Costs 22 BLUET Takes You Over the Edge
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Valtteri Rantalainen Editor in Chief: JARMO PERÄLÄ AD / Production Manager: JENNI HYTTINEn
EDITORS: David J COrd, NORA FRITZSCHE PRODUCED BY Editor Helsinki LTD FINLAND Printed and distributed by Al Nisr Publishing 2021
contact information: Editor Helsinki Oy / www.wematchu.com TEL. +358 40 561 7703 / tuotanto@editorhelsinki.fi
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND Finland is known as the happiest country in the world. Moreover, we are among the most technologically advanced and innovative economies. As a small country, there is no better way to survive in global competition than to offer top-class expertise and innovations. Today, with the world still reeling from the pandemic, we seek new, better and more sustainable paths forward. Global megatrends such as climate change and resource scarcity are generating high demand for smart and environmentally friendly solutions. Our higher education institutes and companies are constantly developing new solutions for a more sustainable future. Finland’s education system is considered to be one of the best in the world. We offer our educational expertise and learning solutions globally. Finland is also known for introducing the latest smart technologies to the world. For instance, Finnish space companies are developing technologies that not only benefit businesses but can also assist in solving global challenges. Construction expertise is traditionally of a very high standard in Finland. With burgeoning demand for climate-friendly construction, industrial wood building is expanding in Finland. Alongside this, contemporary Finnish architecture is attracting global attention and setting new trends. In health and pharmaceutical research and development, we excel at bringing the finest brains of universities and industry together to find new solutions. Our industrial ecosystems are open to international collaboration and provide excellent research and testing environments. Indeed, Finland may be a small country, but in innovation, education and skills we are anything but small.
Sauli Niinistö
President of the Republic of Finland
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Finland Pavilion:
Sharing Future Happiness As a country, Finland is proud to be participating in Expo 2020 Dubai from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Together with over 100 Finnish partner companies, we will be presenting world-class solutions in areas such as natural resources and energy, ICT and digitalisation, smart cities, technology, education, health, design and tourism.
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inland’s Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion has been named Snow Cape, or Lumi in Finnish, which means snow. The simple yet refined Finnish design reflects the fascinating tradition of Finnish architecture. Inspired by the white blanket of snow covering the Finnish landscape from autumn until spring, the Finland pavilion resembles a white, snow-covered Arabic tent, bringing together our country’s icy landscapes with the culture of Expo 2020 Dubai’s host nation. Design inspiration
Award-winning
Finnish
JKMM Architects created the architectural design of Snow Cape, and Expomobilia (Switzerland) has constructed the pavilion. JKMM Architects, also the architect of Finland’s pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010, has designed a simple yet functional structure, ensuring accessibility, openness and simple people flow remain at the core of the architectural concept. Finnish components and materials play an essential role in the design of the Snow Cape pavilion. Soft and light façade fabric provides contrast against the hard, brushed concrete of the entrance deck. The
deck, spanning the pavilion’s height, will be a cool, intermediate space to prepare visitors for a focused exhibition visit.
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JKMM Architects has designed a simple yet functional structure, ensuring accessibility, openness and simple people flow remain at the core of the architectural concept.
Hard, granite flooring will lead visitors into the heart of the pavilion, where they will find the central Gorge, in which 4
the warmth of the gently curved wooden surface will embrace them. The Central Gorge
Intending to replicate the natural gorges found across Finland’s natural habitat, the pavilion’s Gorge offers a serene, natural space in contrast to the bustling Expo 2020 Dubai environment. It provides a shaded retreat for visitors looking to reconnect with the peaceful sounds of nature. Step inside the Gorge and feel Finland with all of your senses; take a deep breath and smell the fresh scent of wood. Bask in the natural light from above and enjoy
the silence of the wooden refuge.
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The pavilion’s Gorge offers a serene, natural space in contrast to the bustling Expo 2020 Dubai environment.
A journey through Finnish happiness
The meaning of Finnish happiness runs deeper than just pure joy. It is built upon trust and safety, a stable society, education and functionality. It is made possible by innovations in industry and society. Happiness is contentment and confi-
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
dence in the future. The Finnish exhibition will share an in-depth story of Finland, providing visitors with experiences and information to showcase the foundations upon which Finland’s happiness is built. This will include continuous development and innovation, sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions and extensive international cooperation. Under the central theme of ‘Sharing Future Happiness’ and sub-themes of circular economy, sustainability and innovation, our Snow Cape pavilion will present the pillars of Finnish happiness by highlighting the symbiosis of people, pure nature and technology. Visitors will be taken on a journey through
Finland’s key strengths: education and know-how, functionality and well-being, and nature and sustainability. The Snow Cape pavilion will serve as a unique platform for business and cultural connections between the UAE and Finland. Over the course of six months, the pavilion will host events by partner companies and industry leaders. Several thematic days, VIP events and special celebrations, such as Finland’s National Day and Christmas with Santa Claus all the way from Lapland, will take place. In addition, we will be working with other Nordic pavilions to promote the international conversation surrounding circular economy solutions.
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The Snow Cape pavilion will serve as a unique platform for business and cultural connections between the UAE and Finland.
Finland, in collaboration with over 100 Finnish companies, will participate in Expo 2020 Dubai. Finland is one of the leading countries in terms of innovation and technology know-how. The Finnish pavilion presents globally leading clean technologies, a circular economy with sustainable use of resources, sustainable energy and digital solutions, mobile communications, machinery, education, health and well-being, travel and Finnish design. www.finland-dubaiexpo2020.com
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Soft and light façade fabric provides contrast against the hard, brushed concrete of the entrance deck.
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FINland at dubai expo 2020
Urbanization needs sustainable solutions on a global scale G
rowing up in Beijing, China, I saw the cityscape transition from courtyards to high-rise buildings. I’ve since lived in different cities, each with unique character: Phoenix, Rotterdam, Frankfurt, Tripoli, and now Helsinki, Finland, as Chief Innovation Officer for KONE. Our mission to improve the flow of urban life is close to my heart.
minutes on foot or by bike. Paris, for example, plans to turn every street bicycle friendly by 2024. By removing 72% of on-street parking, the freedup space will be converted to greenery, vegetable plots, and playgrounds.
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To accommodate the growing number of people while slowing down climate change, we need to adopt smarter, scalable solutions.
We have the potential to make life better for everyone in cities, but limited resources constrain progress. What’s more, cities are complex ecosystems with actors from city governments to educational institutions, state-owned utilities, foundations, and private companies. But they’re all united by the same end customer: the people. We – everyone living in cities – are increasingly seen as active agents in smart city ecosystems. Companies have a key role not only in financing the initiatives, but also in technology and innovation expertise. The so-called public-private-people partnerships can speed up progress. We at KONE are building a global ecosystem with an ambitious goal: to accommodate the next 1 billion urban dwellers over the next decade – in a smooth and sustainable way. Our VETURI innovation program, co-funded by Business Finland, is one example of ecosystem collaboration targeting four segments of the smart city: smart building, smart construction, smart mobility, and smart logistics with a joint market opportunity of over 100 billion EUR, and growing over 10% annually. Sustainable urban development is a good business case – it benefits cities and society at large. In the spirit of collaboration and sustainability, we look forward to working towards a smart and sustainable urban future with you.
Over 50% of people live in urban areas today, and around 200,000 people move into cities every day. In addition to urbanization, sustainability and technology drive the development of smart cities. To accommodate the growing number of people while slowing down climate change, we need to adopt smarter, scalable solutions. Technology enables us to solve these challenges and helps make cities more livable and responsive. But what makes a city smart and sustainable? Many technologies already exist to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. In a recent experiment in Helsinki, an autonomous delivery robot carried food from a supermarket to people in a nearby high-rise building. The robot used KONE Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to call an elevator and reach its customers. This shows how innovation and collaboration boost convenience. Accessibility is another area of innovation. Earlier this year, we developed a solution connecting a wheelchair to our KONE DX Class digital experience elevator, meeting the increasing demands of an aging population and people with limited mobility. COVID-19 has highlighted urban challenges while accelerating changes. One example is a “15-minute city” where everything can be reached in 15
You can experience the KONE solutions as part of the Finland pavilion and around the Expo 2020 area.
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Amy Chen Chief Innovation Officer KONE Corporation
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
Naturally from Finland ISKU brings sustainable design to life at Expo 2020 Dubai.
EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
Those who visit Snow Cape, the Finland pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, are in for a treat. The exterior has been designed to replicate a traditional Arabic tent covered in a thin white layer of snow. The interior will serve as an avenue for businesses, cultures and people to connect and share ideas. To ensure each encounter is memorable, ISKU has designed and furnished the VIP and conference area of Snow Cape, the Finland Majilis, with masterpieces of Finnish design. “We are proud to have supplied the Finland pavilion with high-quality, sustainable and most importantly, safe furniture. Expo 2020 Dubai is the perfect platform for people to engage with one another. For all those visiting the Finland Majilis we aim to provide memorable experiences from Finland,
showcase Finnish nature, and share our sustainability journey,” said Arto Tiitinen, CEO of ISKU. Responsible sustainability from generation to generation
Finnish design is known for its aesthetic qualities, functionality and high-quality craftmanship. ISKU has been a pioneer in bringing sustainability and a love of nature to the forefront of the design industry and were instrumental in developing environmentally friendly and nature saving manufacturing solutions. ISKU’s story dates back to 1928 and is deeply rooted in northern nature, Finnish wood and the founder Eino Vikström’s carpentry skills. Nearly 100 years later, the family-owned company continues to uphold these values, taking responsibil-
ity for each other and the environment. To ISKU, sustainable development comes naturally and operating responsibly means only making value-driven choices and considered actions. With this consistent approach, ISKU is establishing a lasting legacy by providing future generations with a cleaner, safer environment to study, work and thrive.
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Finnish design is known for its aesthetic qualities, functionality and high-quality craftmanship.
“Circular economy thinking runs throughout the entire lifecycle of our products, from the drawings on the designer’s desk to the furniture’s last use. By its very nature, a family-owned business builds 7
its vision and operations for future generations. It does not compromise on sustainability for the sake of short-term profits,” emphasises Tiitinen. Investing in innovations. Caring for life.
ISKU is not only responsible for the environment but also for people. The team has developed the world’s first antimicrobial furniture collections to reduce the spread of infection by providing cleaner, healthier and safer environments. ISKU+ antimicrobial materials in contact surfaces prevent the growth of microbes and reduce the infection routes in schools, hospitals, offices and any multi-user environments. The ISKU+ technologies can reduce harmful microbes by up to 99.99 per cent, and as a further sig-
nal of caring for life, the antimicrobial solutions are available and affordable for all. “The Finland Majilis is furnished with ISKU’s antimicrobial furniture to ensure each visitor is welcomed into a clean and safe environment. I encourage all visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai to visit Snow Cape where you can learn more about Finland, Finnish happiness and our sustainable choices,” concluded Tiitinen. Come and fall in love with the ISKU solutions at the Finland Pavilion, or learn more about each collection at isku.com/global.
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Posiva Solutions provides tailored expert services in the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel Posiva Solutions benefits customers by refining Posiva’s decades-long experience in design, R&D and implementation by having a cutting-edge knowledge about the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. To deliver the best value to clients Posiva Solutions manages an international network of partners which enlarges their offering and ensuring clients will reach their goals. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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osiva Solutions can add value to nuclear waste management programme by saving time and cost. Typical phases of the spent nuclear fuel repository life cycle are design, construction and operation, where Posiva Solutions holds extensive experience. Posiva
Solutions focuses on the sales of the know-how and technologies their parent company Posiva has accumulated from their design and R&D activities in the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Posiva Solutions delivers client value over the entire life cycle of a
spent nuclear fuel final disposal programme. Posiva is the first nuclear waste management organisation to start industrialised final disposal. Prior to proceeding to the operational phase Posiva will conduct the Trial Run of Final Disposal (TRFD).
The TRFD comprises the whole disposal process but will be performed with dummy fuel assemblies. Posiva Solutions is offering a unique opportunity for national waste management organisations to monitor and learn about the final disposal process
from the interim storage to the deep geological repository ONKALO®.
To learn more how Posiva Solutions can bring value to your organisation, please visit: www.posivasolutions.com
220 years of innovative and sustainable solutions Valmet offers a unique combination of process technology, services and automation for the pulp, paper and energy industries. Our 14,000 professionals around the world are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day. www.valmet.com
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
The best properties in the world need the smartest maintenance tools Granlund Manager helps property owners improve the value of their assets and keep their tenants happy. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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he Mall of Tripla is the largest shopping centre in Northern Europe. It is part of the new 350,000 square metre Tripla complex in Helsinki, Finland, which includes a railway station, offices, a hotel and residences. Granlund Manager was chosen to manage the property. “Granlund Manager is maintenance made smart and simple,” explains Veikko Martiskainen, head of international operations at Granlund. “It is a cloudbased property maintenance and energy management software which helps owners improve profitability.” Conducting proper maintenance and adding efficiency to operations saves money, while taking good care of the asset helps maintain its value. Granlund Manager also aims to keep the people inside happier, such as through indoor air quality, which boosts the lease value. It is critical for property management companies to use the best tools in order to maximise the value of their property portfolios. Founded in 1960, Granlund provides MEP design, facility maintenance software services and consultation to construction and real estate firms. Finland-based Granlund has 1,100 professionals working in Scandinavia, the UK, Asia and the Middle East.
Unlocking benefits of digitalisation Granlund Manager is used by 60,000 properties around the world, including the
“Granlund Manager is maintenance made smart and simple,” explains Veikko Martiskainen, head of international operations at Granlund.
Finland pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020. Granlund is a partner of Finland at the Expo and their software makes sure that visitors from around the world get a pleasant indoor climate experience when they visit the pavilion. It is an excellent opportunity for visitors to get to know Finland and Finnish technology. Granlund Manager is a critical tool to gain the benefits of digitalisation in property management. It helps to boost efficiency by optimising time and resources. It gives visibility of building assets and maintenance actions as well as customised
reports for owners. “Having correct information quickly allows you to take action,” Martiskainen says. “There used to be a gap between monitoring and maintenance. We provide a smoother data flow and process so you can act faster. This allows you to lower costs and improve sustainability.”
Real value for property owners Granlund Manager is also integrated with BIM. It uses BIM to visualise conditions and performance, synchronise data from multiple sources and create a digital 9
twin to improve operations. The data of thousands of technical devices with design and build information have already been transferred via BIM integration. “We went from reactive maintenance to preventative maintenance,” Martiskainen continues. “Now we are moving to predictive maintenance. With sensor data in a BIM model we can combine smart building and IoT solutions.” As an example, in Tripla they have 1,000 smart metres which are integrated to invoice systems and analytics. BIM can merge with facility management in a state-of-
the-art application. “We work hard to provide real value to property owners,” says Martiskainen. “With Granlund Manager they can lower operating costs, strengthen asset value and contribute to the happiness and welfare of their tenants.” If you are interested in seeing how you can improve the maintenance on your properties with Granlund Manager, book a demo by using the QR code here.
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Oulu – City on the Edge With its 250 000 inhabitants, Oulu in northern Finland is the fastest growing region in the Nordics and an international business city full of opportunities. The strong and diverse hi-tech industrial base is supported by 18,500 experts in ICT, life science and cleantech business sectors.
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ulu is also an international research and development centre, with 25,000 students at two universities. One in three people have an academic degree. The collaboration between companies, the public sector and the universities is intensive, and the city bustles with innovations and opportunities.
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Oulu is worldfamous for its well-maintained 1,000-kilometre network of bicycle routes.
Oulu is among Europe’s youngest cities, as the average age is just 38 years. When it comes to quality of life, people in Oulu are the happiest in the north. Besides wireless technologies and the Air Guitar World Championships, Oulu is world-famous for its well-maintained 1,000-kilometre network of
bicycle routes and the resilience of local winter bikers. Minus 20 degrees is not an excuse for not going to work or school by bike. Oulu has four distinct seasons, ranging from the midnight sun of the summer to the crisp winter days and polar night coloured by northern lights above a thick blanket of snow. The seaside setting and four rivers with the nearby countryside and wilderness provide perfect ground for recreation, relaxation, and well-being. For centuries, Oulu has made its mark in international trade by exporting tar, paper, and technology solutions. Today, it is the leading northern Scandinavian hub for business, education, and culture. Recently, Oulu had the honour of being selected as European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. A pioneering city for digitalisation, Oulu boasts 50 years of expertise in
wireless technology. Every day, approximately 2.6 billion people globally use mobile technologies developed in Oulu. The city is at the forefront in 5G network development – and going fast towards 6G.
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Today, Oulu is the leading northern Scandinavian hub for business, education, and culture.
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The Oulu region is the second largest hub of health technology in Finland. Numerous companies in the health and life science field, with research institutions and the public sector, operate together as a network called OuluHealth. They offer world-class solutions and expand to international markets, striving to transform healthcare on a global scale. As one result, the world’s smartest hospital is being built in Oulu by
the year 2030. The City of Oulu has put together 100 concrete actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. This circular economy roadmap has five thematic areas: energy, built environment, material flows, food production, and platform economy. These actions enhance the deployment of digital solutions and strong collaboration with companies, research organisations and citizens.
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
Persistent satellite imagery available every 24 hours for the first time The Finnish satellite imagery specialist ICEYE has combined imagery technology with a microsatellite. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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he only thing better than a bird’s eye view is a satellite’s eye view. Companies, governments and institutions around the globe rely on satellites to give them fast, accurate and reliable images of the Earth. ICEYE has created a solution, putting Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) into microsatellites. “ICEYE offers very high-resolution SAR imagery, which was not previously possible,” says Jamil Kawar, ICEYE’s Director of Global Sales. “This is due to our world-leading technology and revolutionary radar design which minimised the size and weight of satellites.” Radar satellites reflect energy off the ground to create images, even in the dark or through cloud cover. ICEYE’s design is flexible, allowing multi-
ple imaging modes from a resolution of 25 cm up to 10,000 km2. With their fleet of 14 satellites ICEYE can get images of a location within a few hours, not in days or weeks. Saving money and lives
“ICEYE’s mission is to help our customers to make informed, data-driven decisions to address time-critical challenges,” Kawar continues. “These include industries such as security, maritime, disaster management, insurance and finance.” For example, in the spring of 2021 the world’s largest reinsurer, Swiss Re, partnered with ICEYE to improve flood risk management, assist disaster response and expedite claims payments. ICEYE’s near real-time images of flood
areas could not only save money, but lives. ICEYE’s technology and large constellation of satellites allowed them to accomplish another world first: what they term “persistent monitoring”. Satellites have always been limited by the timing and rate of target imaging. ICEYE’s solution goes a great way to solving this old problem. Their growing constellation of satellites is designed to rapidly revisit any area on the globe.
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ICEYE offers very high-resolution SAR imagery, which was not previously possible.
“No other company can provide this highly frequent persistence, allowing 11
coherent change detection of clients’ targets,” Kawar explains. “Examples of its use are to view what was present one day and not the next, such as boats at a jetty or planes on an airfield; or changes to land surfaces like tyre tracks or flattened grass where a helicopter landed.” Turn data into decisions
The Middle East is already an important market for the company. Industries like security, disaster management, energy and space have already been shown interest in ICEYE’s services. “For example, ICEYE turns SAR data into actionable information for monitoring oil and gas pipelines in the region,” says Kawar. “This enables our clients to monitor the
pipeline right of way for third-party interference and geohazards. Satellite SAR data is a reliable and timely source of information that can also be used for proactive oil spill detection. ICEYE in the Middle East helps our customers detect potential oil slicks from platforms, FPSOs, passing vessels, pipelines and related infrastructure.” The company has already delivered over 40,000 images to their clients, but they are continuing to improve their offering. In 2022 they plan to be serving customers with 18 or more satellites, providing unrivalled global access, revisit frequency and delivery speed.
Iceye.com
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Building happiness JKMM Architects used their philosophy of happiness to design the Finland Pavilion. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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ou can tell that the Finland Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 was designed by happy people. It was made by Finns, who are the happiest people in the world according to the UN’s World Happiness Report. “Finland is unique in that we have developed an infrastructure for happiness,” explains Teemu Kurkela, Founder of JKMM Architects who designed the Finland Pavilion. “Happiness is not a soft goal or a feeling. Instead, happiness is a conscious public policy goal when we develop things like health
or education.” Happiness is expressed in architecture where the human and wellbeing are in focus. Spaces can enhance a sense of solidarity between individuals and cultures. “People like to find connections to each other, because we really aren’t that different,” Kurkela explains. “The front of the pavilion is similar to the traditional Arabic tent. Yet the white surface was inspired by the thin white layer of snow that covers the Finnish landscape in the beginning of every winter. This is two cultures touching.”
Human contact has been curtailed in recent months, but as we manage the pandemic we should once again look forward to happy meetings. The central gorge of the Finland Pavilion is open to the public and was created as a place to meet. It is covered with curved wooden surfaces in a simple, minimalistic design. “Architecture is a vessel for stories to be told, and the story will evolve over the course of the Expo,” says Kurkela. “I encourage people to attend and tell their own stories.” jkmm.fi
IMAGE COPYRIGHT: UEF / Riikka Malin
Why Hybrid Learning Is Here to Stay The world of education had long been in need of a catalyst to upend its outdated systems and drive forth innovation, not only in educational standards and policies but also in the very ways by which we approach the average classroom.
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midst sudden school closures, innovation particularly technological
innovation - became a necessity. Several of the gaps left by the limitations of an
in-person classroom were swiftly filled in by video conferencing tools, learn12
Happiness is expressed in architecture where the human and wellbeing are in focus. Spaces can enhance a sense of solidarity between individuals and cultures.
ing software, and more. These circumstances have led technology-based educational models such as hybrid learning (part in-person, part online) to become the natural next step in the evolution of the learning experience. Christopher Petrie, Director of Digital Learning at New Nordic School, shares, “the pandemic has made us question the very purpose of education and the means by which we provide it. There’s a need to modernize, to be aligned with what matters today. Models like hybrid learning are designed to help students have a say in their own learning journey while
catering to the needed skills of the 21st century and being relevant to the modern world.” New Nordic School is transforming current systems of education through its pre-K to grade 12 hybrid education system that combines the renowned Finnish curriculum, international pedagogy, and hybrid learning. The AI-powered system dynamically offers personalized tools and resources for each student while empowering them to explore their natural creativity, discover their true passions, and shape their own future. New Nordic School’s partner schools are opening around the world.
New Nordic School is transforming current systems of education. Their Finland-based K-12 educational system empowers students to explore their natural creativity, discover their true passions, and shape their own future. Available for new and existing schools worldwide. Shape your future www.newnordic.school
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
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Haaga-Helia knows that the world is changing, and we want to play a part in developing education for the future. We want to be innovative, non-traditional and try new approaches with international partners. At Haaga-Helia you are allowed to try new things, even if you fail. Because even if you fail you learn something new.” Pasi Tuominen
project director at Haaga-Helia
The future of education
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences demonstrates how artificial intelligence can help solve the educational needs of the future. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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igher education requires long term planning. Colleges and universities need to offer a curriculum that will provide the skills society needs in the future. But what exactly will society need in the future? You need a crystal ball to know – which just happens to be the name HaagaHelia University of Applied Sciences chose for their AI-driven solution. Based in Finland, HaagaHelia has 11,000 students and 650 experts. They are strongly oriented towards the needs of business, and focus on sales and services, entrepreneurship, innovation and internationality. They developed an AI solution to compare what they are teaching and what
future employers will need. “It is impossible for an individual or even a group of individuals to analyse all of the data available,” explains Pasi Tuominen, project director at Haaga-Helia. “We use machine learning to analyse this data and give us actionable insight so decisions can be made about the curriculum.” Providing the skills needed in the future
The solution is called Crystal Ball, and was made by HaagaHelia and their partners Headai, Stereoscape and Realfiction. Visitors to the Dubai Expo’s Finland Pavilion can see the solution and how it can open doors to
future careers. Tuominen points out one of the beauties of Crystal Ball is how it lets you see the data. The results of the AI analysis are seen in 3D animated holographic displays which are easy to understand.
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We use machine learning to analyse this data.
“It allows you to visualise large amounts of data in a readable format,” he says. “The software shows you the reality of what is needed. How do companies perceive the skills they need and how does this meet our existing curriculum? How 13
far apart are they from each other?” The system analysed thousands of job openings in Austin, Brussels, Dubai, Helsinki, Nairobi and Singapore and compared them with different programs at HaagaHelia such as ICT, global business administration, sports coaching, vocational teaching and hospitality and tourism. Innovative, tailormade education
Crystal Ball revealed one thing that may surprise some people: the skills demanded vary between geographic locations almost as much as between different jobs. “If you look at the skills
a hotel general manager needs in Austin versus what one needs in Nairobi, you realise that employers look for significantly different skill sets in different cities,” says Tuominen. “We must consider the skills needed not just for different professions, but for different areas around the world as well.” This places a challenge on institutions of higher education. In the modern world many people study abroad and then take jobs in other countries. Yet with the help of AI a university could develop a unique education path for an individual based upon their plans and the needs of where they would like to work.
FINland at dubai expo 2020
One step at a time Finland’s Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is conducting innovative work with exoskeletons for rehabilitation.
EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD PHOTO: milla x markus
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It is an emotional moment for a patient to stand for the first time after years in a wheelchair,” says SAMK project researcher Taina Jyräkoski. “They are so happy to stand upright while wearing the exoskeleton.” The exoskeleton is at the campus of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Pori, Finland. SAMK is an international, multi-disciplinary institute of higher education. They believe in cutting-edge research combined with a multidisciplinary focus, like what they are doing with the exoskeleton. “The exoskeleton is a device the patient wears so they can walk,” Jyräkoski explains. “It has motors in the hips and knees, so patients can walk even if the legs are paralysed. We
don’t do the rehabilitation ourselves, but we help get the evidence that it is beneficial.” Help wanted: technology therapist
Exoskeletons are commercially available, but they are still an unusual device which you won’t find at every therapist office. SAMK wanted to conduct hard science on exoskeletons in a collaborative model. This brings a variety of specialties to the table. “We conduct exoskeleton research with a diverse group of partners, such as teachers, researchers, students and physiotherapy clinics,” explains Sari Merilampi, principal lecturer at SAMK. “We have experts at automation, healthtech, data analytics and a variety of disciplines. We are even
working internationally, like with a research group in Italy.”
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We conduct exoskeleton research with a diverse group of partners, such as teachers, researchers, students and physiotherapy clinics.
Many physiotherapy clinics and hospitals might be unable to make a large investment in an exoskeleton, but they have been invited to share SAMK’s model. Students get the rare chance to study an innovative device first-hand. The researchers get to be one of the very first to conduct serious studies on exoskeletons. 14
“This is pioneering work. The world is a small place when it comes to a new field of research like exoskeletons,” Merilampi says. “This is particularly good for the students who get to use such a novel technology. We are creating an entirely new career path as a technology therapist.” Multi-professional environment
Some of their research includes measurement technology, patient benefits and therapist benefits. The traditional way for a therapist to help rehabilitate a patient relies heavily upon brute force. The therapist must physically help the patient move their legs. This can be demanding, even if the patient is supported. “A patient can only take as many steps as a therapist can help them take,”
Jyräkoski says. “But the therapist doesn’t have to work as hard when the exoskeleton is doing the mechanical labour. She oversees the process and makes necessary adjustments to give the most benefits to the patient.” Exoskeletons in rehabilitation are still rare, and SAMK is happy to bring in so many specialists to experience it in a multi-professional environment. “It is great that all these experts can use these newest solutions, which is beneficial to all stakeholders,” says Merilampi. “We work and learn together. It is a tough job, but we aren’t afraid of challenges.” If you are interested in learning more about SAMK’s exoskeleton or other innovative projects, please visit the website samk.fi/en.
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
The future begins in Southwest Finland A good business environment, strong technology skills and high quality of life has turned Turku, in the heart of Southwest Finland, into a favourite choice for international investors, startups and talent looking for new career opportunities. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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f you live in Dubai, you may have stepped on a little piece of Finland and not even realised it. “Some floating structures in Dubai were developed here in the Turku region,” explains Tero Piispanen, senior executive at Turku Science Park Ltd. “The Turku region is known globally from its strong maritime industry.” The Turku region is on the Finnish coast, almost in the heart of Northern Europe. The area is large enough to get things done but small enough to be agile and innovative. In particular, Turku is strong in hightech and knowledge-based industries. “The first university in Finland was founded here, and still today we are
knowledge-driven,” Piispanen continues. “Southwest Finland has 7 higher education institutions. The city of Turku has about 200,000 inhabitants and more than 20 percent of Turku’s residents are higher education students.” Top research for professional health
One of the keys to Turku’s popularity for R&D is how private companies, the public sector and academia collaborate to solve challenges. This multidisciplinary approach is built upon a foundation of stability, predictability and security in the operating environment. Piispanen mentions machine learning, industrial technology, and healthtech
as exciting industries in the region. There are a number of health technology companies in Turku, ranging from revolutionary startups to established multinational players. Although they have a wide variety of health specialties, Piispanen notes diagnostics, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals are some of the fastest growing sectors. “Companies from the Turku Region participated in the Arab Health event for several years,” he says. “It is always great to talk about our innovative solutions and to find collaboration opportunities in Dubai.” Innovative cleantech
Another flourishing sector looking for talented 15
workers and partners is cleantech. The city of Turku is serious about sustainability, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2029. Clean technology is one of the fastest growing industrial sectors in the world and the Turku region is becoming a global forerunner in future growth industries, such as electric transportation, bioeconomy and circular economy. “One great example of an innovation from the Turku region is a startup company which developed a new technology to recover valuable metals from used batteries and industrial side streams. Today, this breakthrough technology is further developed by the Finnish company Fortum, with the target to reduce the
environmental impact of recycling lithium in electric vehicle (EV) batteries,” says Linda Fröberg-Niemi, CEO to the new Green Industry Park in the region. “The founder of the company conducted research at a university here, so this is a success story from our regional science and innovation competencies.” “There are many great business opportunities in Turku, but we can’t forget about the quality of life here,” Fröberg-Niemi says. “The city is clean, safe and well-functioning. People might come to Turku to work or invest, but they find so many other things to enjoy here.” turkubusinessregion.com careerinsouthwestfinland.fi
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Space, privacy, and the great outdoors:
This is Finland! March 2020. International travel was brought to a stillstand, and many Finns escaped to their summer cottage where they could keep social distance; naturally, close to lakes and the seaside. One and a half years later – today – flights are resuming, and Finland is transforming itself into the ideal postpandemic destination for visitors. EDITOR: Nora Fritzsche
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So much about the future remains uncertain, but we’re taking every possible step to create an environment where visitors are safe and stay healthy”, says Kristiina Hietasaari, Head of Visit Finland. She is confident that tourism in a postCOVID world will soar again. She explains: “I have no doubt the global travel industry will recover. People are looking to return to their favourite vacation spots, only with a different approach to their journeys.” On the tourism marketplace, Hietasaari sees trust as a much more significant issue. “Many people question whether they stay equally safe and well abroad as at home; they often worry about crowds and queues. In this sense, Finland offers the best conditions for post-pandemic travel: The country offers space, privacy, and the great outdoors. Perhaps,
the most reassuring about Finland right now is the fact that social distancing to Finns comes naturally. Trust me, we’re very disciplined when waiting in line for example.”
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The most reassuring about Finland right now is the fact that social distancing to Finns comes naturally.
Finland is great for adventures with a breath of fresh air because large parts of its land are covered by forests. “A common perception is that it’s too cold in Finland”, Hietasaari recognises. “The truth is that, with temperatures up to 30°C in the summer, it can get pleasantly warm. This makes Finland the perfect destination for those who wish to escape a heatwave in hotter, more southern
countries.” Above all, Finland provides a balanced mix of activities. For sport enthusiast, Finland’s hilly, forest-covered landscape create particularly suitable conditions for mountain biking; and with 10% of the country’s land area being covered by water, canoeing and kayaking are excellent ways of experiencing nature, together with water jet safaris. Hietasaari says: “On their return, visitors to Finland will tell stories about a peaceful week they spent in a summer cottage by a secluded lake with a private beach that allowed them to swim in refreshing lake water.” She continues: “Besides having turned on the barbeque grill in a wood fire hut, visitors to Finland will typically remember the clean waters of our Lakeland district. At the many lakeshore 16
places, they will have tasted creamy salmon soup and Karelian pasties at the local market. They will also have spoken with local people, to find out about life in Finland. Before flying out from the Helsinki Airport, they will have strolled along the main shopping street in the city centre, to take home some finish design as a souvenir. Those with children, will of course have visited the Moominworld theme park.”
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Visitors to Finland will tell stories about a peaceful week they spent in a summer cottage by a secluded lake.
Listing the many memories visitors to Finland can create, Hietasaari is confident that, in post-COVID tourism, the country is
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The more sustainable our travel and tourism industry becomes, the stronger we will grow.
well-positioned to cater for new wishes and changed attitudes of travellers. “Finland has a strong ability to compete in the global travel marketplace also in the longer term”, she asserts. “We score high in many categories and wish to keep the momentum by integrating environmentally friendly practices into tourism. The more sustainable our travel and tourism industry becomes, the stronger we will grow.” To live up to this claim, Finland has introduced a scheme for awarding the Sustainable Travel Finland label to businesses fulfilling certain environmental
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
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We want our guests to feel happy when they come to Finland. Kristiina Hietasaari Head of Visit Finland
“Not only are we concerned about individual businesses, but we’d like entire regions to do sustainable business. This way, we make sure there are no weak links in the ecosystem, where one or two key players would not be committing to the environmental cause.” says Kristiina Hietasaari, Head of Visit Finland.
criteria. “We also award regions with eco-labels”, says Hietasaari. “If more than 51% of businesses in one destination have received the Sustainable Travel Finland label, then the entire destination qualifies for one.” She explains that Finland focuses on collective commitment. “Not only are we concerned about individual businesses, but we’d like entire regions to do
sustainable business. This way, we make sure there are no weak links in the ecosystem, where one or two key players would not be committing to the environmental cause.” All this gives Hietasaari confidence about what the future will bring. “We’re even introducing a calculator for travel providers to measure the ecological footprint of their guests”, she reveals. When people think of
Snowmobile ride in the winter forest.
Finland, they often associate it with Santa Claus, sauna, swimming in icy water, and the Northern Lights. However, there are other options outside the realm of leisure travel. “Parents can send their children to Finland for summer camp, where their little ones are offered high-quality education in natural surroundings,” Hietasaari explains. “With us, they are free to spend time in fresh air while learning at the same time.” She also describes the concept of health traveling: “Finns enjoy top-quality health care services. With people paying extra attention to their well-being, I could imagine patients to choose Finland for their next place of treatment.” For the fourth year running, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world – even during the COVID crisis. 17
Kayaking at lake Saimaa.
Hietasaari explains: “We Finns are very easy-going and down to earth; literally. We value being close to nature and are eager to share this purifying experience
with the world. We want our guests to feel happy when they come to Finland and truly believe that visiting us will give people a fresh perspective on life!”
Visit Finland, a unit of Business Finland, is a national authority on tourism and an active force in promoting international travel to Finland. Its main goal is to develop Finland’s international image as a destination. Visit Finland supports the travel industry through research and helps businesses and groups develop products and services for the international market. For more information, please visit www.visitfinland.com.
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Protection by light at a nano level The Finnish company Nanoksi Finland won the prestigious Aviation X Lab in Dubai for their self-disinfecting coating which prevents the spread of viruses and bacteria through surfaces. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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he COVID-19 pandemic changed how we view our surroundings. Microbes can be spread just because people touched the same object. The company Nanoksi Finland has developed an innovative sprayable solution which uses photocatalysis – where light increases a chemical process – which can kill 98% of microbes within two hours. “The technology is very versatile,” explains Nanoksi Finland CEO Pasi Keinänen. “We have used it on glass, screens, plastic, wood, metal, ceramic and textiles, for example.” The invention was impressive enough to beat 106 other entries in the Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveller Wellbeing Challenge, which was awarded by Dubai Future Foundation and Emirates Airlines.
Tested by Emirates
Emirates tested the solution in different areas, such as first-class limousines, baby strollers and biometric boarding gates. The results were impressive: for example, the ATP measurement of organic dirt on transit busses fell from 2,113 pre-coating to 51 a month after. Emirates is beginning to use Nanoksi’s solution in their limousines, busses and lounges at Dubai International Airport. However, the solution has already been widely deployed in other countries. “We have applied it in over 2,000 projects, including shopping centres, offices and in partnership with manufacturers of consumer products,” Keinänen continues. “We’re really excited about our solution’s possibilities in aviation. It could make
flying much safer for passengers and crew.” The coating, called FOTONIT®, destroys pathogenic viruses, bacteria, yeasts and moulds. It is working constantly, so surfaces remain hygienic even between cleanings. The coating is invisible, flexible and porous. FOTONIT® is also highly durable: even high-use surfaces only need an annual reapplication. Additionally, it is easy and fast to apply. For example, four buses can be treated in one hour. Novel solution powered by light
There are other photocatalysis ideas in the market, but Nanoksi Finland uses a unique titanium dioxide solution. While other systems might need direct ultraviolet light, Nanoksi Finland’s can use a great18
er variety of light in the spectrum. In effect, the nanoparticles have “antennas” which allow them to pick up and use a wider range of light. “Another important thing about our process is that it doesn’t use chemicals which could be harmful for human health or the environment,” says Keinänen. The technology was developed in Tampere University and was spun-off to undergo further development and commercialisation. The company directs the entire value chain from R&D to manufacturing to deployment. Saving lives
Nanoksi is expanding their product portfolio and are growing rapidly. Everyone hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic will soon come to an end, but Keinänen
points out that we can’t lower our guard. “There are more pathogens than just the coronavirus. Think of hospital acquired infections, for example,” he says. “We believe that with our solutions we can help save not only enormous financial costs, but more importantly thousands of lives.” If you would like to learn more about FOTONIT®, come see Nanoksi Finland at the Dubai Expo or visit nanoksi.com. “Touch Safe Surfaces” Nanoksi Finland has appointed Cupprom FZC a UAE based company as Nanoksi’s Partner. For more information: Cupprom FZC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hossein Sharif sharif@cupprom.com Office: +971 4 591 9471
Nanoksi.com
FINland at dubai EXPO 2020
Smart cities need smart battery solutions Batteries and energy storage technologies need to be properly managed just like any energy system. With the development of technology, these can be used much more efficiently. L7 Drive has created innovative power electronics technologies as a solution. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
L7 Drive is a Finnish clean technology company who have developed and patented smart energy subsystem technologies. They have pioneered an intelligent power backup solution for telecom networks for intelligent light poles with 5Gmm radios.
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It’s crucial to solve battery-related temperature problems.
“This is an entirely different kind of solution that gives a longer battery life, lower costs, greater reliability and possibility to offer a 2nd life for batteries,” says
Pentti Bruun, CEO of L7 Drive. “As a secondary usage they can be turned as a part of Virtual Power Plant and to generate revenue.” A modern smart city needs reliable connectivity to create new services, and for that they need power backup. We are moving from lead-acid battery backup to more efficient battery chemistry. The L7 uses lithium-ion batteries with long life, small size and light weight, offering smart and new use cases. “It’s also crucial to solve battery-related temperature problems, we have this fully integrated and our solutions are available in
both hot and cold climates, which is important for all lithium batteries,” Bruun says. L7 Drive’s solution consists of a backup battery, communication hardware and cloud solution. The system has already been successfully tested, such as in the Nokia-led LuxTurrim 5G project in Finland. “I’m very excited to be a partner with Finland at the Dubai Expo,” says Bruun. “I hope anyone who needs advanced energy management solutions gets in touch with us to learn more.” L7 Drive has pioneered an intelligent power backup solution for telecom networks for intelligent light poles with 5Gmm radios.
L7drive.eu
Weight happiness is the key to weight loss Obesity is a relatively new phenomenon in human society. We are just now learning what it is and how to treat it effectively. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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There is so much misunderstanding and stigmatisation on why people are overweight. It is a complex issue and people need to be treated individually,” explains Dr André Heikius, medical director of the Finnish company WeightClinic.online. Weig htCl i nic.on l i ne has pioneered what they term “weight happiness”, their concept of a patient improving emotional wellbeing while safely losing weight and improving overall health. Each customer receives personalised advice and support. The goal is for a patient to be happy during the entire process.
“Our weight happiness idea was born in Finland, which the UN has ranked as the world’s happiest country,” says Heikius. “We have a compassionate, accepting way of helping people. We encourage and listen to them.”
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You get better results if you feel good about yourself.
“We have a compassionate, accepting way of helping people. We encourage and listen to them.” says Dr André Heikius, medical director of WeightClinic.online
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Customers from anywhere in the world can receive remote visits from experts on nutrition, exercise, psychology and medicine. WeightClinic.online includes a comprehensive
array of both lifestyle and medical services to fit someone’s precise needs. The platform also includes digital tools to help people in their weight happiness journey. “We have developed this solution over the past ten years in our clinical work and now we are ready to help people internationally,” Heikius says. “You get better results if you feel good about yourself during the process.” Please visit weightclinic. online if you are interested in starting your personal weight happiness journey or if your wellbeing company is interested in collaboration.
FINland at dubai expo 2020
Remote care improves patient wellbeing while lowering costs VideoVisit has developed a remote care solution for the healthcare industry. Having already proved its value in Finland, the service is now being adopted around the world.
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Finnish man lived far from his aging parents, so their main way of contact was by phone calls. He wished there was some video solution so that he could see his parents and health care providers could give them remote care. Since there was nothing satisfactory on the market, he decided to create it himself. VideoVisit is a family company, founded in 2010 by a Finnish video communication pioneer Mr. Esa Ojala. VideoVisit provides a complete remote care platform with all necessary tools for social and healthcare providers. Over one million virtual care visits have taken place on their platform. “The challenge healthcare systems around the world face is to provide the best care with a limited amount of resources. We help them meet their goals,” says Juhana
Ojala, co-founder and CEO of VideoVisit Global.
all over Finland use us. We could practically use the Finnish healthcare system as a reference case,” Lowering costs says Ojala. and carbon emissions Helsinki is a good example of Finland has been a good place to the problems many healthcare sysdevelop such a solution. The popu- tems around the world must solve. lation is comfortable with technol- They have an increased demand for ogy, there are many their services but are talented high-tech constrained by their workers available, budget. More peoand healthcare auple have long-term The challenge thorities are eager to diseases or chronic healthcare systems try innovative ideas. ailments and need around the world face is to provide the best The City of Helsinki increased care. Helcare with a limited first partnered with sinki added virtual amount of resources. VideoVisit in a pilot visits not as an addWe help them meet in 2014 and they are on service, but as an their goals. still working togethintegrated part of er today. their home care. “Today 30,000 Helsinki enjoyed virtual visits are made every month major efficiency improvements on our system, and that is just in due to embracing virtual visits. A Helsinki. About 200 municipalities healthcare worker might be able to
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make 5-10 physical home visits per shift, but can make 60-80 virtual visits in the same amount of time. Similarly, each physical home visit costs about €40–50, but a virtual visit is only about €5. The City of Helsinki is saving about €10 million annually in operating expenses due to VideoVisit. Moreover, with about 100,000 kilometres in travelling saved each month, virtual visits are much more environmentally friendly and help municipalities achieve their sustainability goals. Cutting out 100,000 kilometres in unnecessary car travel saves about 12.34 tonnes of CO2 emissions every month. Safer during the COVID-19 pandemic
“Today we even have another challenge: how to safely provide healthcare in a pandemic,” says
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Ojala. “Remote care is the answer.” Healthcare workers are a high-risk group. They need to serve many members of the public but still remain safe and not spread the disease. A good example is the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). When the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be clear, the UK asked for innovators who could support people digitally. Eighteen different solutions were handpicked for the “Techforce 19” programme out of 1,600 applicants. VideoVisit was the only non-UK company selected. VideoVisit has also expanded to Baltics and Iberia and will add more efforts into other markets such as VideoVisit provides a complete remote care platform with all necessary tools for social and healthcare providers. Nordics and UK. In the fall they launch in Japan, which faces another challenge. Japan’s de- it,” Ojala says. “They were very in- countries. It is capable of combin- secure connection. This gives them mographics are aging rapidly and terested in our solution and invited ing home, primary and secondary peace of mind when they can see they need homecare solutions for us to Saudi Arabia.” care in one system. It can be used by and talk to their family, regardless their elderly. Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sys- everyone from a social care worker of how far away they are. tem faces unique challenges. While to a specialist surgeon to consult Saudi Arabia interested Japan needs help with an aging with patients. in virtual care population, the demographics in “We provide the technology “The Saudi Ministry of Health had the Middle-East are different. Saudi platform, but we also help healthVidoeVisit’s an official visit to Finland and saw Arabia is more concerned with effi- care systems evolve their care solution is versatile a demo of our services in Helsin- ciently and effectively treating long- models so they can implement virenough to fit the ki. They even got to talk remotely term and chronic diseases. tual care services,” Ojala explains. needs of different to a patient at home to see how it VidoeVisit’s solution is versatile “They can change their operational countries. worked and what he thought about enough to fit the needs of different model to give better care to their patients while improving efficiency.” Many patients might have difHelping to ficulty leaving their homes, due make patients to COVID-19 restrictions or their happier and own conditions. VideoVisit gives healthier them opportunities to socialise Although health- with other people. care systems can “We’ve had group-based activimprove care and ities, like physical rehabilitation lower costs, some sessions, book clubs or even virtual of the greatest ben- visits from local priests,” says Ojala. efits goes to patients “Many patients tend to be lonely, so and their families. this contact can be very important VideoVisit also for their happiness and well-being.” provides a mobile If you are interested in seeing how application for fam- virtual visits can help your patients ily members so they while increasing efficiency, please "We provide the technology platform, but we also help healthcare systems evolve can talk to their visit videovisitglobal.com. their care models so they can implement virtual care services,” says Juhana Ojala, coloved ones over a EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD founder and CEO of VideoVisit Global.
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FINland at dubai expo 2020
Bluet takes you over the edge
Waterfront development doesn’t need to end at the shoreline. Bluet’s innovative solutions allows you to go over the land’s edge and build floating solutions on the water. EDITOR: DAVID J. CORD
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f you ever visit Helsinki, Finland and ask a native what you should see, he will probably mention the cathedral, the old island fortress and the Allas Sea Pool. The Allas Sea Pool, a floating sea spa, has quickly become one of the most popular destinations in the Finnish capital for residents and tourists alike. It was created by Bluet, a Finnish company specialised in waterfront development with floating solutions. “Waterfront development doesn’t need to stop on the shoreline. You can go over the edge of land to the water,” says Tytti Sirola, co-founder and CEO of Bluet. Bluet designs and implements floating solutions that improve waterfront areas. They work with real
estate developers, cities, construction companies and the operators of services such as restaurants, marinas or spas. Their hybrid solutions are not simply traditional waterfront development or floating buildings. Instead, they open up a new world of opportunities not available with either option alone. Save money, time and the environment
The waterfront is some of the most desirable real estate in any city, but it can be problematic to develop. Waterfront real estate is limited, unless you want to engage in the expensive, tedious and invasive work of land reclamation. Bluet’s solution is simple: expand from the shore onto water. Floating construction
brings new opportunities to develop waterfronts.
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The benefits of floating construction are improved sustainability, versatility and profits.
“The benefits of floating construction are improved sustainability, versatility and profits,” Sirola continues. “Floating solutions can be much more environmentally friendly than land reclamation. Floating solutions can also be temporary. For example, you could use a floating platform for a seasonal restaurant, or even for a tempo22
rary construction site.” Construction can be especially challenging in the tight confines of a developed waterfront. In Sweden Bluet was involved in a project to redevelop an old residential area. The problem developers faced was a lack of space for construction site services. Bluet designed floating platforms so the construction company could set up a base of operations. When the project is completed the floating foundations will be converted into swimming pools. Another added benefit is that floating adds to the experience. People don’t recommend the Allas Sea Pool because there are no other spas or saunas in Helsinki; they recommend it because it provides a fan-
tastic experience of floating on the Baltic Sea with unparalleled views in the city centre.
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Allas Sea Pool provides a fantastic experience of floating on the Baltic Sea.
Everything floats
Floating swimming pools and spas are enormously popular. Bluet has developed floating pools across Europe and also cooperate with the ingenious Panko concept. Panko combines Scandinavian design, timber construction, sustainable solutions, sauna and Nordic flavours into one experience. Panko’s luxury
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products are used in high-end hotels, marinas, golf resorts and other establishments. Bluet works with Panko to take care of waterfront development, technical solutions, construction and project implementation. There are many other possibilities for floating solutions, including leisure and commercial areas. Floating concert stages can give beach-goers an unforgettable evening, or a place with limited parking could even have floating car lots. Bluet even created a floating seal habitat for a zoo, including trees, rocks and a pool. The zoo was located on a small island and did not have space for the new exhibit, so Bluet created a floating habitat.
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When we come to a solution we make it a reality. We make it happen.
“Housing projects are also popular, because people love to live next to the sea,” says Sirola. “We are currently working on a major project which will be the largest floating residential area in the Nordic region. It includes 40 buildings and all the necessary infrastructure like roads and bridges.” Creative as well as scientific
Many projects require an individual and customised solution, but Bluet noticed that many of their customers needed particular products which were either extremely expensive or simply didn’t exist. To solve this challenge Bluet created their own products in the categories of floating infrastructure, pools and multiuse platforms. They are modular, scalable and are modified to specific projects to fit local permits and site requirements. The floating infrastructure includes pontoons, anchoring, technical connections and sever-
al types of foundations. The pool products include heated pools and the popular natural water pools, which can be bottomless or a mesh pool. If the surrounding water quality isn’t adequate, Bluet can also deliver a filtering system. Bluet’s modular floating platform can be easily combined with others to form a variety of shapes and sizes. “I consider Bluet as a ‘realiser’, in that we make visions feasible,” Sirola says. “We don’t just create ideas for the distant future, but we also aren’t only an engineering company. We are creative as well as scientific. If a customer wants something that can’t be done in their budget, we tell them. When we come to a solution we make it a reality. We make it happen.” One-stop-shop
Bluet believes in a full-service process, including pre-planning, pre-construction, delivery and lifecycle services. They help clients with concept and feasibility in order to achieve their vision of the project. In pre-construction Bluet works on all the millions of details on sizes, materials, technology, transportation and assembly. In delivery they manufacture, deliver and test the product. Once the project is running Bluet doesn’t disappear; they can provide lifetime services such as maintenance and inspections. They can guide the entire project through each phase, but the flexible working model also allows them to only handle specific tasks. “In effect, we join the client’s team,” Sirola explains. “We are a part of the local team, working with the local general contractor and the client’s own project team. It works very well. Together we can create the perfect floating solution for their needs.”
If you are interested in going over the edge, contact Bluet at +358 (0) 30 6363 800, info@ bluet.fi or visit their website at www.bluet.fi/en.
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