An expansive open-plan studio features a long wooden counter and a light teal work table set against a red and white checkerboard floor. An elevated mezzanine, adorned with lush plants, overlooks the space, blending industrial architecture with biophilic elements.

Konelabra: Fyra Revives a Historic Helsinki Laboratory into a Design-Forward Workspace

Words by Eric David

Helsinki, Finland

Finnish design studio Fyra has a talent for navigating the past with clarity and restraint. Whether reimagining the public spaces of the 1930s Hotel Torni or infusing timeless elegance into Bouchon Carême, a restaurant at the turn-of-the-century Lundqvist Building, their work reflects a quiet mastery of contemporary refinement within historic landmarks. The studio’s latest project, the transformation of the century-old ‘Konelabra’ building in Helsinki’s central Kamppi district continues this thread. Once home to the Helsinki University of Technology’s laboratories, the red-brick landmark has been sensitively revived as a modern workspace, now housing Fyra’s own studio, among other tenants.

A minimalist lounge area features a light grey sofa and two woven-back chairs, centered around a multi-level coffee table with flowers and books. A large window provides natural light, enhancing the tranquil and uncluttered aesthetic of the space.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A large meeting room with a long wooden table and modern chairs is framed by a broad wooden archway with glass doors and sheer curtains, hinting at privacy within an open office plan. A mezzanine level with a white railing overlooks the space, blending industrial and refined elements.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A bright industrial office corridor at Konelabra, Helsinki by Fyra, characterized by light wooden floors and exposed white ceiling pipes. Glass-walled offices with dark wood frames line one side, leading to a distant seating area. A prominent white metal staircase with light wood treads ascends, embodying a blend of raw industrial aesthetics and refined Scandinavian design.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

Built between 1925 and 1933 by architect Onni Tarjanne, the building played a pivotal role in Finland’s technological education. Originally housing the University of Technology’s laboratories—including the Machine Lab, Konelabra in Finnish, where the building takes its name from—after WWII, it was absorbed into the Helsinki Technology School, which later became part of Metropolia, Finland’s largest university of applied sciences. Since 2018 however, the structure had stood dormant, its industrial bones waiting for a revival.

As a listed landmark, Konelabra’s transformation required close dialogue with the Helsinki City Museum and building authorities. Fyra, in collaboration with ARK Helsinki, led both the architectural and interior design, approaching the project with the care that such a historic property demands. The result is a flexible, light-filled workspace that honours the building’s industrial legacy while embracing a new creative future.

A spacious industrial-chic office lounge features two olive-green sofas and a marble coffee table on a distinctive red and white checkerboard floor. Large paper lanterns illuminate the space, complementing the minimalist wooden shelving showcasing design samples.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A wide view of a modern industrial office showcases a vibrant red and white checkerboard floor leading to various zones. Two olive-green sofas anchor a lounge area, while large paper lanterns illuminate the flexible workspace with its minimalist shelving and exposed ceiling elements.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

An elegant timber dining table and chairs are positioned under a white industrial staircase with a metal mesh railing. The bold red and white checkerboard floor provides a dynamic contrast to the minimalist wooden furniture and the raw industrial elements above.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A large, natural wood dining table with accompanying chairs sits prominently on a vibrant red and white checkerboard floor in a minimalist office space. Two oversized paper lanterns create a soft glow, complementing the light wood shelving and industrial-style metal bookcases.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

Throughout, the design strikes a measured balance between old and new. Original elements, from the checkerboard tiled floors, timber doors and decorative steel balustrades to technical relics like cranes, dials, and switchboards, have been carefully preserved. Where intervention was necessary, the additions were respectful and reversible: newly inserted rooms and lofts, for example, can be dismantled without damaging the original fabric.

Material choices reflect a similar sensitivity. Pale oak cabinetry and shelving soften the building’s industrial shell, while simple paper lanterns, bespoke wooden tables, and vintage furniture lend warmth and tactility. A carefully selected colour palette of off-white and cream that match the original tones further root the interiors in their architectural context. Elsewhere, new staircases and window openings subtly signal the building’s evolving use without overpowering its history.

A Scandinavian industrial-chic kitchen within Konelabra, Helsinki by Fyra, featuring a bold red industrial door contrasting with the neutral walls. A light wood island and cream-colored minimalist cabinetry stand on a distinctive red and white checkerboard tile floor. Tall, multi-paned windows illuminate the space, highlighting the robust ceiling beams and an elegant potted plant.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A striking view of a multi-level staircase within Konelabra, Helsinki by Fyra, blending Scandinavian and industrial design. Light wood treads are bordered by simple, white vertical balusters that extend upwards. An arched window at an upper landing provides natural light, emphasizing the interplay of clean lines, raw materials, and geometric forms throughout the vertical space.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A grand wooden staircase with integrated shelving for books or decor dominates an open-plan office space, leading to an upper mezzanine. The vibrant red and white checkerboard floor complements the minimalist white walls and industrial accents, creating a dynamic and functional interior.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A spacious dining area at Konelabra, Helsinki by Fyra, featuring long wooden tables and minimalist chairs arranged on a classic red and white checkerboard tile floor. The industrial-chic space is warmly lit by multiple modern pendant lights suspended from exposed ceiling pipes. Large windows and a glass partition allow natural light to permeate, creating a bright, inviting atmosphere.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

Through dark wooden framed glass doors, a contemporary kitchen space is revealed, featuring light wood cabinetry, a marble countertop with a sink, and open shelving. The red and white checkerboard floor extends into this functional area, maintaining the interior's distinctive pattern.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A charming dining and bar area at Konelabra, Helsinki by Fyra, distinguished by a classic red and white checkerboard tile floor. Curved, light wood cabinetry with brass accents defines the counter, adorned with copper pots. Soft, neutral walls and exposed ceilings blend industrial elements with warm, inviting Scandinavian aesthetics, complemented by natural light from large windows.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A long hallway with a distinctive red and white checkerboard floor leads through an open-plan office, defined by tall, flowing sheer curtains that create soft partitions. A person and a dog are visible near a minimalist white bookcase, hinting at a dynamic and inviting workspace.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A spacious office kitchen area features a long, light blue table and light wood cabinetry, contrasted with a dark wooden counter. An industrial overhead crane and lush plants on an upper balcony add a unique touch to the vibrant red and white checkered floor space.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

One of the most compelling aspects of the project is how seamlessly Fyra’s own studio inhabits the space. Set within the former electrical laboratory, their new studio exemplifies Konelabra’s broader vision: adaptable, characterful, and community-minded. Featuring an open-plan layout, Fyra’s workspace is anchored by a six-metre-long second-hand table, painted in a vibrant turquoise, and large enough to gather the entire team. Curtain-draped partitions delineate the material library, while a loft structure above housing private meeting rooms also allows for additional workstations. Other tenants include the tile and stone showroom ABL-Laatat, furniture makers Made by Choice, and the Finnish outpost of Sony Music, all contributing to a layered, collaborative energy.

While the design champions aesthetics, it’s equally attuned to sustainability and well-being. Amenities such as a rooftop break area, a scenic sauna ensconced in a tower-like volume, indoor bicycle parking, and generous natural light contribute to an overall sense of comfort and care. By prioritising adaptive reuse over demolition, the project also underscores architecture’s role in resource-conscious urban renewal.

An expansive open-plan studio features a long wooden counter and a light teal work table set against a red and white checkerboard floor. An elevated mezzanine, adorned with lush plants, overlooks the space, blending industrial architecture with biophilic elements.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A bustling open-plan office features white desks with computer monitors and ergonomic chairs, set on a red and white checkerboard floor. In the background, sheer curtains partition a lounge area, while an elevated mezzanine overlooks the vibrant workspace.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

  • A cozy dining nook features a built-in bench with striped upholstery and a round, light wood table. A modern chair with a chrome frame and beige seat complements the natural textures and warm tones of the space.

    Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

  • A glass-enclosed office space with sheer curtains provides a private yet transparent work environment within a larger open-plan area. The wooden door frames and the continuation of the distinctive checkerboard flooring emphasize the thoughtful design details.

    Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

  • A minimalist grey daybed with a patterned cushion is positioned in a sunlit corner next to tall, multi-pane windows that reveal a brick building exterior. The stark white walls and natural flooring create a serene and understated resting space.

    Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

  • A modern bathroom features light wood cabinetry, stone-like rectangular sinks, and sleek faucets, all illuminated by spherical wall-mounted lights. The distinctive red and white checkerboard floor adds a playful touch to the clean, contemporary design.

    Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

At once pragmatic and poetic, the new Konelabra demonstrates how intelligent design can carry history forward, not by overwriting the past, but by amplifying it with clarity and conviction.

A versatile office and lounge space features modular seating and modern workstations on a patterned red and white floor. Overhead, exposed industrial pipes and sleek lighting enhance the raw aesthetic, balanced by the minimalist Scandinavian furniture and design library.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

A creative workspace features a long wooden table with organized white baskets for materials, and tall white shelving units displaying various design samples and fabric swatches. A person is seen organizing items, highlighting the functional and organized nature of the studio.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.

An expansive open-plan space features a modern dining setup with wooden furniture on a striking red and white checkerboard floor. A minimalist white metal staircase ascends to an upper level, seamlessly blending industrial elements with Scandinavian design aesthetics.

Photography by Riikka Kantinkoski.