We are proud to share that Lapland Central Hospital Extension has been featured in Healing Spaces – Contemporary Hospital Architecture, by Braun Publishing.

The book presents a selection of healthcare projects from around the world that explore how architecture can support healing, wellbeing, and high-quality care environments. We are honoured to see the Lapland Central Hospital Extension included among these inspiring examples.

We have been awarded the Cycling‑Friendly Workplace label at level 1. This recognition by the Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities highlights our commitment to supporting everyday cycling and promoting sustainable, healthy commuting choices among our employees.

Achieving Level 1 means we have taken concrete steps to make cycling to work easier and more attractive, such as providing good facilities and encouraging cycling as part of daily work life. This is a part of our certified EcoCompass environmental management program and a move toward a more sustainable and employee‑friendly workplace. We look forward to continuing our development and further strengthening our cycling culture in the future.

We are happy to announce that our EcoCompass environmental management system has been re-audited successfully. We started developing our EcoCompass program in 2022, completed the initial audit 2023 and now reached the next milestone with this re-audit.

This year, our focus is on strengthening our expertise in low-carbon building design, advancing the circular economy, and enhancing biodiversity through our architectural solutions.

We will continue to develop our environmental program to ensure we provide our clients with high-quality, sustainable architectural design.

© Mika Huisman

The construction of Malmi Mortuary and Farewell Spaces is now completed and the facility has opened this week. The project has attracted media attention with articles in Helsingin Sanomat, Hufvudstadsbladet and MTV News among others.

The building provides unified facilities for the deceased care of Helsinki. In designing the building our aim was to create peaceful, respectful and beautiful spaces for the visitors to say goodbye to their deceased loved one.

© Marc Goodwin

The construction of Stadin AO Vocational College and Adult Institute in Roihupelto is now completed. The project gathers activities previously scattered across six separate buildings into a unified 44 750 m² campus. The facility provides educational spaces for 4 500 students of which approximately 3 000 are simultaneously present.  The new campus forms a vibrant educational hub for a wide range of vocational disciplines including logistics, mechanical and production technology, arts and crafts, and social and health services.

© Marc Goodwin

© Marc Goodwin

Today marks 20 years since we celebrated our first major competition win — a milestone that set Verstas Architects on its path. Kirkkojärvi School launched our journey into architecture that promotes wellbeing, and that mission guides us still. 

We’re grateful for our clients, our talented team and our collaborators who have helped us create meaningful, human-centred environments for two decades. As we move forward, we remain committed to pioneering humanely sustainable architecture — with insight, empathy, precision, and reliability. 

Join us as we celebrate our anniversary year. More stories and highlights to come! 

Väinö, Jussi, Riina and Ilkka

Kurttila School – aerial view

Verstas and YIT have won the Lifecycle service provider procurement for the Espoo Cooperative Rental Project for Schools and Daycare Centers. Our design task will consist of designing 3 educational buildings in Espoo: Kurttila School, Jupperi Multipurpose Building and Olari Daycare Center.

Kurttila School is a primary school building that emphasizes flexibility and community engagement. Its layout features learning clusters, a central hall with a library and dining area, and versatile spaces for crafts and sports. Generous windows, natural materials, and well-designed outdoor areas create a bright, welcoming environment for learning.

Kurttila School – library

Jupperi Multipurpose Building – entrance

Jupperi Multipurpose Building combines a school, daycare, and library under one roof, providing flexible spaces for both learning and community activities. Its three-wing layout forms sheltered courtyards, while abundant natural light and clear spatial organization ensure functionality, comfort, and a strong connection to nature.

Jupperi Multipurpose Building – dining hall

Olari Daycare Centre – yard

Olari Daycare Center is a bilingual facility nestled in a rocky, forested landscape. Its L-shaped design creates protected courtyards and distinct zones for Finnish and Swedish groups. Bright interiors, adaptable learning spaces, and nature-inspired outdoor areas foster safe, playful, and inclusive early childhood education.

Olari Daycare Centre – interior

We are happy to share that the Helsinki City Council has approved the construction of the new Hermanninranta School, Daycare, and Youth Facilities.

This autumn, we have been actively developing the project, which originated from a competitive dialogue process that we won in collaboration with eQ Community Properties and YIT Business Premises Ltd. Through workshops with end users, we’ve continued to refine the original proposal ensuring the design responds to the community’s specific needs.

Positioned along the street, the building opens up a courtyard that acts as a green corridor connecting nearby parks to the seashore. The overall massing is broken into smaller volumes, creating a playful and child-friendly scale. The façades alternate between red brick and wood cladding, bringing warmth and texture to the exterior. The main entrance stands out through thoughtful lighting and material choices—inviting visitors in with tactile, warm wood that hints at the interior’s welcoming atmosphere. The building is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

Kari Kampus has been selected as a winner in PLAN Award 2025. PLAN Award is an international architecture prize awarded annually to outstanding projects in architecture, interior design, and urban planning.

This year, the competition jury consisted of 21 international architecture professionals. There were 20 categories in the competition and approximately 1 000 entries. Of these, around 400 were selected as finalists. Kari Campus was selected as this year’s winner in the Education Completed category.

We are happy and honored to receive the prestigious award.

We would also like to thank our team and collaborators:

Lead Architects
Jussi Palva (Partner-in-Charge), Väinö Nikkilä, Riina Palva and Ilkka Salminen

Project Manager
Sari Kukkasniemi & Pasi Piironen

Architecture Team
Atte Mattila, Kristina Färm, Anniina Taivainen, Tino Toivonen, Mikko Rossi, Santeri Hänninen, Pipsa Klang, Aino Airas, Otto Autio, Mika Lundberg, Ville Nurkka, Irma Verhe, Carl von Numers, Anna Nirkkonen, Ilkka Törmä, Pekka Airaxin, Jenni Salomaa.

Interior Architecture Team
Ulpu Kojo, Laura Brotherus, Jessica Högsten, Johanna Ruusu, Karola Sahi, Elina Vähäkylä, Nina Sandell.

Collaborators
Swimming hall design: Arkkitehtuuritoimisto Arktes Oy, Landscape design: Masu Planning Oy, Pedagogical design: Finpeda Ltd, Structural engineering: Sweco Talotekniikka Oy, Acoustical engineering: A-Insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy, HVAC & sprinkler engineering: Sweco Talotekniikka Oy, Automation and water processing engineering: Ramboll Finland Oy, Electrical engineering: Rejlers Oy, Geological engineering: Geobotnia Oy, Fire safety engineering: KK-Palokonsultti Oy, Infrastuctural engineering: Sweco Ympäristö Oy, Energy engineering: Granlund Consulting Oy, BIM coordinator: Tietoa Finland Oy, Cost control: Granlund Consulting, Geotechnical surveys, Ramboll Finland Oy, Description texts: Juulia Kauste

Main Contractor
Hartela Länsi-Suomi Oy

Client
City of Rauma

© Mika Huisman

We are happy to share that Kari Campus has been nominated for European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Awards!  

The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award is a prestigious biennial prize established in 1988 by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe and the European Union to celebrate excellence in European architecture. The 2026 edition continues to highlight innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful architectural works across Europe. Over 400 projects are competing this cycle, with finalists selected through a rigorous nomination and jury process involving national associations and independent experts. The award not only honors outstanding design but also promotes architecture’s role in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rich urban and rural environments across Europe.

Congratulations to our team and our collaborators Masu Planning, Arktes, Finpeda, Sweco Talotekniikka, A-Insinöörit, Ramboll Finland, Rejlers Finland, Geobotnia, KK-Palokonsultti, Tietoa Finland, Granlund Consulting, Hartela Länsi-Suomi and of course our client: City of Rauma!

© Sami Saastamoinen