Prize(s) Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
Company Valoa Design
Lead Designers Valoa design team
Other Designer's names Arco Architecture Company, Design Agency Fyra, Studio Joanna Laajisto
Client Sokotel
Photo Credits Kuvio photo
Other Credits Engineering Office Thelec, LSK Talotekniikka
Completion Date August 2022
Project Location Helsinki, Finland
Entry DescriptionSolo Sokos Hotel Torni brings light to the surrounding streetscape and stands out as one of the landmarks of the center of Helsinki with its new facade lighting. The lighting also serves to communicate the renovations made inside the building.
Opened originally in 1931, Hotel Torni was the tallest building in Helsinki and a skyscraper of its time. It is still one of the tallest buildings in Finland. The hotel also includes a former residential building property, Kyllikki, which was added to the hotel in the 1980s. The buildings are historically significant and prominent in Helsinki's cityscape. The renovated hotel opened in the spring of 2022.
The goal for the lighting was for the building to get the illumination it deserved. The building's style is very Art Deco, and designers wanted to emphasize that, inspired by the style of 1920s New York skyscrapers. The first four floors of the building and the 9-story tower rising above them were brought out solemnly and with dignity, with warm white light bringing out the whole layered entity.
The building's central location and architectural and cultural historical significance required special attention. The result is a visible entity in the streetscape of the dark times of Helsinki's core, and it not only brings out the marvelous building but also lights up the surrounding street spaces for hotel guests and people passing by.
Sustainability ApproachEnergy consumption of the lighting design has been optimized with optic choices, dimming the light levels and programming the lighting to go out at night-time and when there is enough daylight.
Special attention was paid to the ease of maintenance throughout the lifecycle. Custom-made installation shields are painted in the color of the façade instead of using RAL-painted luminaires. This helps for ordering standard luminaires with decent delivery time if a product is to be broken. Shields also calm the daytime appearance of the facade.
Because of limited installation possibilities, luminaires were all to be installed onto the façade and roofs, but they are placed in a way that is accessible without a need for a heavy-duty lift.
These considerations reduce the carbon footprint of the maintenance.
Company DescriptionVALOA is an award-winning architectural lighting design office, with an experience of 20 years. We design both indoor and outdoor lighting for companies and public sites, according to the needs of the client. The greatest result is born in cooperation with the client, together with architects, electrical designers, and contractors.
