Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2017 | Page 17

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 .
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