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Architects: Simo Freese Architects
- Area: 520 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:AVP-Ilmakuvaus, Simo Freese, Antti Luutonen, Esko Tuomisto, Jani Forsberg
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Structural Design: A-Insinöörit Oy, Launo Laatikainen, Juha Elomaa
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HVAC Design: Insinööritoimisto Leo Maaskola Oy, Henrik Finne
Text description provided by the architects. The floating restaurant Meripaviljonki, “Sea Pavilion”, is a modern extension of the famous Workers House in centre of Helsinki. The waterfront site is widely visible around the bay and loaded with historical significance.
The concept of the architecture arises from the visitor experience: long curving glass facade provides maximum amount of window seats with a view to the sea. The glass structure is formulated with outer stiffening glass beams, creating a particular exterior. This contrast to heavy granite Art Nouveau style building ashore emphasizes unique character of both buildings and paradoxically connects them architecturally together.
There is room for 200 sitting guests in the restaurant. The kitchen is minimal, nevertheless fully equipped for fine dining serving. Functionally and commercially the cuisine leans on bigger kitchens in the congress centre Paasitorni, which operates in the Workers House. Technical rooms are located in the basement level.
The inward sloping roof is shaped in leaf like form. There are no technical installations at the rooftop. The facade in copper, which becomes covered with patina in the near future, relates to the material of famous neighbouring “Round house” from 1960´s.
