The premises of the iconic Helsinki Olympic Stadium combine history and timelessness

Restaurant image: ISKU Other images: Wellu Hämäläinen

Embodying the rich legacy of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, ISKU’s furniture in the multipurpose spaces reflect the building’s past and cater to the diverse needs of today’s visitors. ISKU and the Helsinki Olympic Stadium have a lot in common, both in history and in the present.

Finnish timelessness in architecture and design! With several timeless classics, ISKU’s furniture collections suit amazingly well in the stadium which is a true masterpiece in building architecture.

Eino Vikström founded ISKU in Lahti, Finland in 1928. The construction work on the stadium designed by Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jänti began in 1934. When the large renovation of the Olympic Stadium started in 2016, it was natural for ISKU to partner with the project to furnish the stadium’s premises, including the visitor center, meeting and multi-purpose rooms, and VIP enclosures. In the furniture selections, ISKU wanted to respect the building’s original retro spirit. Therefore, the typical faded blue, red, and green tones were chosen for the upholstery of the furniture.

Marju Paju, the Marketing and Communications Director of the Olympic Stadium, is pleased with the collaboration that showcases Finnish design in the unique setting of the stadium.

“The furniture solutions are designed to complement the architecture of the stadium and are flexible to be easily rearranged for different events and functions”.

A balance between traditional and modern

The furniture considers not only timelessness and compatibility with a protected environment but also the comfort and needs of the stadium’s guests. As the world changes, furniture needs to adapt according to evolving needs. Thus, in open working environments privacy and concentration can be enhanced with space-in-space office furniture, such as the meeting pod in the visitor center of the Olympic Stadium.

Sometimes it is worthwhile to utilize and modify existing elements for new purposes. Good examples of embracing history in creating new can be found in the Olympic Stadium bistro, where you’ll find the Tuoli 53 chairs designed by Kurt Hvitsjö back in the 1950s. Originally designed for educational purposes, the chairs at the Bistro were the first manufactured pieces after bringing the iconic chair back into production. With a sleek chrome frame and luxurious cognac-leather finish, Tuoli 53 has become one of ISKU’s most sought-after chairs, not just for public spaces, but also for homes.

Sustainability is evidenced in responsible operations

ISKU prioritizes sustainability in all its operations, as evidenced by our responsible production and material utilization practices. Environmental consciousness is emphasized with a focus on utilizing multipurpose wood and minimizing waste by using surplus material generated by the waste and cut-off pieces of some products as the raw material for others and forwarding even the leftover leather to a Finnish luxury bag manufacturer.

We also place a high value on the durability of the furniture, testing the products at several stages to ensure they can withstand heavy use in public spaces. The daily operations convey ISKU’s commitment to long-term sustainability.

Durability and longevity of furniture have become significant considerations for both consumers and businesses, with a shift towards preferring furniture that will last a lifetime and investing in reusable and recyclable products. The trend towards longevity is evident also in the furniture solutions at the Olympic Stadium, where even high-use items like the Big Hug lounge chairs are designed and chosen for their ability to withstand heavy usage.

At ISKU, we’ve been incorporating office furniture into our collections since the 1930s. The Olympic Stadium is a unique space that requires furniture that is not only functional but also contributes to the overall experience. Each carefully selected piece of furniture takes into account both the uniqueness of the space as well as the needs and requests of people using it. These pieces not only fit the room but also contribute to the story of each space.