Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2013 | Page 60
Designing Success Lab Power
M
ore and more, companies
are integrating design into
their activities. Lahtibased designer Tapio Anttila says
that companies in the region have
been among the first to embrace
design and fully explore the
possibilities therein. Anttila also
points out that Lahti was a very
committed participant of the
World Design Capital 2012:
“Lahti gave a very well
balanced programme and did very
well,” he feels, adding that the
importance of design is already
understood in the region and its
role will only grow in the years to come.
Anttila notes that encompassing design in industrial functions
is a long-term project. In Lahti, however, the ground work has been
laid decades ago and designers can find local companies that are
receptive to their ideas.
“For a designer, Lahti is a great place – there are strong
networks and opportunities for collaboration here,” says Anttila
whose design projects have garnered also international attention.
Anttila points out that Lahti itself is an international city – if he wants
to go to, say, Milan to meet colleagues, the international airport is
an hour’s drive away.
Anttila’s repertoire includes interior design regardless of the
scale. In 2012, Anttila won the national Furniture Designer of the
Year honours. He launched his own company in 2005 and has clearly
enjoyed himself: “In Lahti, it is very helpful that everyday life rolls
so smoothly – there are no traffic jams, all the services are nearby
and there are great outdoor activities,” he lists.
R
amboll Analytics is
another player that has
found Lahti to be a
very attractive combination.
Ramboll’s
environmental
laboratory – the biggest in the
land – is located here. Pentti
Manninen, Director of Water
and Environmental Division at
Ramboll, says that Lahti is a
great base for operations.
“Pretty much everything
is within a two hour drive, so
we can go on location to do
some research and get home
the same day,” he offers an
example.
Ramboll Analytics has thrived in Lahti, with about 90
people working for the company right now. The laboratory –
with almost 2,000 square metres of space – is in fine form and
business is booming.
“We have been able to enjoy steady growth, even during the
recent years, when the economy has been troubled,” Manninen
says. Lahti has proven to be a great match for Ramboll, partly due
to the city’s long traditions in laboratory activities. Still, there’s
room for more: Manninen is hoping for players from the same
field to establish operations in the region.
“That way, we would get even more opportunities for
networking and various collaboration projects.”
www.ramboll-analytics.fi
www.tapioanttila.com
There are plans to build 105,000 floor
square metres of business and office space
here, with 22,000 floor square metres reserved for services. In total, the area could
feature development to the tune of 332,000
floor square metres.
Myllyvirta says that the ideas from the
winning entry – as well as others, too – will
be utilised in the making of the zoning plan.
“We welcome all ideas since this is a truly
historic opportunity for the whole community and we want to get it right the first time.”
Action All Around
Another thing that Lahti is keen on is developing tourism. New kinds of services
are in the works along the Lake Vesijärvi,
for example. Teivaanmäki and Mukkula are
among the key areas for development and
the Skiing World Championships – hosted
in Lahti in 2017 – are sure to peak the interest level.
Myllyvirta points out that Lahti has a
long history as “Event City” and very much
wants to stay that way: “For any successful city, high-profile activities are key in increasing the appeal of the community.”
58 Nordicum
Lahti Fast Facts
inhabitants in the city, 200,000 in the Lahti Region
well-being
Harbour and international airport
48 minutes
leisure
LADEC
Lahti Development Company LADEC provides comprehensive services
to support businesses locating to Lahti.
www.ladec.fi, [email protected]