Collaborative Design and Comprehensive Service for Rovaniemi’s New Napsu Multi-purpose Building

The Napsu multi-purpose building in Rovaniemi is one of the city’s largest educational projects in history, distinguished by its scale and innovative approach. The city adopted a new procurement model for loose furniture, where suppliers competed solely on quality. Isku Spaces was chosen as the furniture supplier and provided a comprehensive service, handling everything from design to delivery.

Early-Phase Procurement Focused on Quality

The City of Rovaniemi sought to reform its procurement process to ensure the final result truly met user needs. In the early-phase procurement, furniture suppliers were tasked with designing pilot spaces and developing a project plan that included user participation. Suppliers were then selected based on these proposals. The evaluation process involved the school principal, users, and a wide range of stakeholders.

“We wanted to emphasize an inclusive approach in this early-phase procurement model. During the presentation sessions, furniture suppliers had the opportunity to present their designs and the items specified in the tender to the evaluation group. The selected furniture items would be used in multiple areas throughout the building, making them a key part of the overall aesthetic. It was crucial that staff had the chance to influence the procurement from the very beginning,” explains Anu Kulmala, Procurement Lawyer for the City of Rovaniemi.

“When it comes to a procurement that will significantly impact staff well-being and the everyday life of the entire community, the voices of users must be heard. In these multi-purpose buildings, we weren’t just creating workplaces for a large number of people, but also learning environments for children. This is a long-term investment, and it was essential to involve both staff and space users in the design process,” Kulmala summarizes.

User Involvement Added Depth to the Design

Students, teachers, and parents were involved in the design process from the project’s inception. Workshops, surveys, and design education pop-up events allowed users to influence the functionality, colors, and overall comfort of the spaces.

The results of this involvement are visible in the everyday environment. For example, classroom signage, the school restaurant’s name, and ceiling-mounted wayfinding signs were directly derived from ideas generated in the workshops.

Isku’s Comprehensive Service Integrated Design, Production, and Installation

Isku Spaces managed the project as a comprehensive service, which included interior design, project management, user involvement, and concept furniture. The installation phase was carried out in collaboration with Niemi Services.

Furniture manufactured at Isku’s Lahti factory, along with curtain solutions by Eurokangas and designs by Kakadu, formed a cohesive unit, while close collaboration with the architect (Rudanko-Kankkunen) and NCC ensured the overall aesthetic consistency. Additionally, spaces designed by Lapphan were integrated seamlessly with coordinated tones and materials to create a unified look across all areas.

The service model was continuous: work phases were invoiced as user involvement sections were completed, enabling flexible progress and transparent collaboration. This ensured clear visibility and active budget tracking.

Co-Design Guided Furniture Selection

In the Napsu multi-purpose building, co-design was implemented on several levels. Students, teachers, and other stakeholders tested furniture and provided feedback on the proposed solutions. A survey conducted with the principal via Wilma complemented the overall picture of family preferences, further shaping furniture selections based on user feedback.

“User involvement was clearly reflected in the final outcome. When decisions were made collaboratively, the transition felt natural and manageable. Some pre-selected furniture items were even swapped based on user suggestions. Feedback from teachers was extremely positive, and the co-design process was viewed as a meaningful and inspiring part of the project,” says Sanna Linnus, Customer Success Manager at Isku Spaces, who has been involved in the Napsu project since the start.

Phases of Preparation and Implementation

The first phase of the project focused on the new building, with furniture deliveries scheduled for the summer of 2025. Simultaneously, planning for the renovation of part D of the building began, with deliveries expected by the end of 2026.

The six-month co-design process provided invaluable insights that informed the design process. In workshops, designers and users discussed various solutions and assessed their functionality in daily use.

“Users were at the heart of the design process. The most rewarding part of the project has been seeing how satisfied the users are with the spaces they helped design,” says Mari Salmela, Interior Designer at Isku.

The project also included several customized solutions tailored to the architect’s and client’s requests, such as “cabins” in the dining hall, sewing machine tables for the craft room, and customized wayfinding signs and room labels for the dining hall. These bespoke furniture solutions further enhanced the clarity and functionality of the spaces.

“Efficiency in daily activities is particularly evident in the wayfinding, paths, and quiet zones. Our goal was to create an environment that supports the everyday needs of all user groups, from students to staff and evening users. When collaboration is open and all parties are heard, the result is both functional and easily adaptable,” concludes Sanna Linnus.

Towards Completion of the Multi-purpose Building

Napsu will be completed in phases by the end of 2026. The first phase has already demonstrated how early-phase procurement and user involvement lead to a higher-quality, user-centered result.

In large, multi-phase projects like this, a partner is needed who can integrate design, local manufacturing, and multi-disciplinary collaboration. Isku Spaces’ strength lies in its ability to deliver a seamless and long-term solution that supports the customer’s needs.