Majestic déjà vu

Architecture: Heatherwick Studio Interior design: MAWD March&White Design Landscape design: Hollander Design Furnishings: Apparatus, Avenue Road, Bright Group, Carpets, Gubi, Holly Hunt, Minotti, Nella Vetrina, Stark Carpets, The Future Perfect Custom open-plan kitchens: designed by March and White Design, handcrafted in the UK Kitchens: Gaggenau Doors hardware: Valli & Valli Health Club: Equinox

Author: Anna Casotti Photo credits: Colin Miller, Rebecca Robertson

In the heart of Helsinki, Fyra spruces up modern tradition and renovates the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, paying homage to the masters and icons of Finnish design

Functionalist orthodoxy and romantic nostalgia: the former is given explicit expression in the rigor of the facades, and the latter is expressed in the sensual, luxuriant ornamental design of the interiors. Crossing the threshold of the Hotel Vaakuna is like delving into an atmosphere of yesteryear, being swept away by the magic of the best of Finnish design, the formal solutions that evoke solid harmony between nature and artifice. Simple materials like wood and metal, are given sensitive interpretation to meet needs for their use and gratify aesthetic pleasure in accordance with the modernist tradition. Designed by architect Erkki Huttunen in the center of Helsinki, the Sokos building — whose five upper floors hold the hotel — was meant to be completed for the 1940 Olympics. But the war delayed it until 1952 as well as the opening ceremony. Huttunen not only designed the functionalist modern architecture, he also contributed to the interior decor and furniture design, with Runar Engblom and Paavo Tynell, who at the time was one of Finland’s most sought-after lighting

Client: Sokotel Interior design: Fyra Furnishings: Artek, Fredericia, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Gubi, L’Abbate, Normann Copenhagen, Poiat Lighting: Astro, Flos, Gubi, Marset, Örsjö, Rubn, Santa&Cole, Tuote Carpets: Koolmat Oy Curtains: Kvadrat

Author: Antonella Mazzola Photo credits: Riikka Kantinkoski