SHARED GOALS, VALUES AND SENSE OF PURPOSE

Amerikka and Finnish organic food and natural cosmetics pioneer Ruohonjuuri enjoy a long-standing collaboration, which has now resulted in Ruohonjuuri’s new flagship store on the corner of Mannerheimintie and Kaivokatu, a prime site in the Finnish capital. From the very beginning of this latest venture, it was clear that Ruohonjuuri, Amerikka and property owner Ylva were each committed to creating a sustainable commercial space, with Amerikka using their concept design experience to deliver high-impact aesthetics and functionality with an experiential approach. Ultimately, the objective was to revitalise the bricks-and-mortar experience for shoppers in this part of the city.

Design approach:

1. The concept design was drawn together in close collaboration with Ruohonjuuri. Amerikka was responsible for leading a series of workshops that were an opportunity for participants to articulate the store concept, identify the key functional aspects and give shape to the strategic and spatial solutions for the store.
2. The store is designed to stand the test of time and to support a range of different uses and events. Every effort has been made to maximise the occupancy rate. To this end, the office and retail functions have been brought together under one roof, and the property has been complemented with the addition of a meeting space that lends itself to a number of uses and can be rented out externally. The offices comprise a series of different sized spaces that can be flexibly adapted as required, and the chosen furnishings suit a range of different contexts.
3. The end result is a visually striking design with plenty of wow factor. The materials used for the store have been chosen with environmental considerations in mind and are in line with the building’s LEED certification.