Next Stop: Hakaniemi?
Davidsson is also a member of Buchardt’ s“ dream team” that was asked to come up with ideas for the next project, an 8-storey hotel in Hakaniemi, just north off Helsinki downtown.
Swedish Gert Wingårdh, Norwegian Snøhetta and Danish Juul / Frost are the other agencies in competition for the new hotel. Buchardt says that, as an environment, he wants the Hakaniemi hotel to be as open as Clarion where anybody can come in from the street and enjoy a drink.
“ I see the Hakaniemi hotel as a meeting place, for two people, for 1 000 people, and for all the people in between,” he smiles. When asked about what new design delicacies the newcomer could entail, Buchardt says that he’ s got a pretty good idea of what’ s to come – but he’ s not telling.
“ At this point, I can only promise that there will be a Finnish signature.” Listening to Buchardt, you’ d think that this is almost mandatory: after all, the man claims that Finland is the“ only country in the world” with its own, unique design signature.
“ And that is one of the reasons so many foreigners come here, because they recognise and have come appreciate that signature.”
Live Forever
With 19 hotels already under his belt, Buchardt says that he doesn’ t go for trends, but, instead, looks for a certain timeless quality. He enjoys Finnish architecture and design so much because he can see that’ s clearly something that will live on and on, for decades.
“ Trends are not interesting. I look for long-term impact and quality.” The aesthetic appeal is a big anchor is his business philosophy:
“ I enjoy art and design. Building hotels, I get to combine my passion with business,” he grins. l
Sami J. Anteroinen
Photo: Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy include a conference centre in there. If a convention has 800 guests, 400 – 500 of them stay at the hotel,” Buchardt says. At Clarion, there are 10 conference rooms( with largest being 700 m2), located in the existing Sonck-building.
“ I think Aki Davidsson really did a unique job in contacting the new and the old,” Buchardt credits the architect.
Nordicum 17