The project encompassed the common areas on the ground floor: the main entrance, the rear entrance, and the hallways. The goal was to revitalize the building and create an entrance with a clear identity and character that makes a strong impression, while also making the spaces functional for the tenants. Kanozi’s role has included concept development, surface finishes, and both built-in and freestanding furnishings. The work builds on the building’s existing materials and spatial concepts, which are reinforced and carried forward, so that the renovation represents a further development of the interior rather than a departure from it.

The main entrance is the building’s most distinctive space, with its high ceilings. The height is emphasized—as was common in the 1930s—by low, freestanding furniture that allows the space to be seen in its full height, and tall panels that draw the eye upward. The reception desk, high-gloss and brown, extends past the column so that it becomes part of the main hall rather than being hidden behind it. Above the desk is a backlit opaque glass panel framed in polished steel. It highlights the reception area while also improving the atmosphere there.

The lounge in the main entrance used to be a space people passed through rather than used, with a harsh and cold atmosphere. Custom-built fixtures change the flow and turn it into a place to linger. The floor plan draws inspiration from the 1930s, with mirrored arrangements and clear symmetry. A mint-green bar table along the windows shifts the activity toward the windows and provides a place to sit and work facing the light. The mint-green hue is taken from the Kolmård marble wall cladding and is contrasted by black chairs. A custom-designed rug features a stair-step motif inspired by the ceiling’s pattern, and the soft curves of the furniture and textiles add warmth and softness.

At the rear entrance, the ceiling height is significantly lower. Here, the large downward-facing light fixtures were replaced with upward-facing lighting, and vertical and reflective surfaces, as well as a custom-designed wallpaper, were added. Together, these elements increase the perceived ceiling height and connect the rear section to the main hall. The same material and lighting choices run through the corridors, unifying the spaces on the entrance level into a cohesive whole.

The sustainability efforts focused on preserving as much as possible of the building’s robust and timeless character and materials. The new elements have been chosen to harmonize with the building and to complement both the rooms and the existing features over time.