Page 83 - AIT0925_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Yatofu Creatives, FI-Helsinki
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan
Grundriss Obergeschoss • Upper floor plan
Bauherr • Client Kalevala Koru Oy, FI-Helsinki
Standort • Location Keskuskatu 3, FI-Helsinki
Nutzfläche • Floor space 102 m 2
Fotos • Photos Aleksi Tikkala, David Jakob
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 126
KALEVALA FLAGSHIP
STORE IN HELSINKI
The Finnish jewellery brand Kalevala bears the name
of the famous national epic, one of the most important
literary works in the Finnish language. This is reflected
in the design itself: The handmade pieces are inspired by
Finnish tradition and motifs from the mythical world of
Kalevala. A new flagship store has now been created for
these special treasures in the heart of Helsinki.
T he flagship store, which covers an area of around 100 square
metres, is located in a converted historic commercial building in
Helsinki’s central shopping district of Kluuvi. The exterior façade opens
completely onto the street with two-storey glazing, allowing a view into
the shop. Yatofu Creatives – an interior-design firm based in Helsinki and
Shanghai – redesigned the level of the ground floor as well as gallery
level for the store. At the heart of the interior concept, Kalevala’s jewel-
lery is seen as sculptural pieces of art, inspiring the creation of a gallery-
like retail space that reflects the brand’s aesthetics and craftsmanship.
On the entrance level, the jewellery is presented on display tables with
open showcases that deliberately invite visitors to touch and experience
the pieces. This is made possible by a presentation system developed
by Yatofu that dispenses with conventional glass display cases without
compromising on security. Integrated lighting elements visually embed
the gleaming variety of products in the calm overall appearance of the
room. The stainless steel of the jewellery boxes, the contrasting warm
wood and a few striking sky-blue details such as chairs and curtains
characterize the chosen range of materials and colours. There is even
more on offer for customers: on one side of the rectangular sales area
is the “jewellery bar”. Here, jewellery can be tried on while enjoying a
cup of coffee and a consultation. However, the biggest eye-catcher in
the two-storey space is the large, circular wall opening of the recessed
mezzanine level. An open staircase leads up to this space, which is fur-
nished with a table, chairs, soft lighting and art, and is used for exclusi-
ve consultations. The round window provides a view down to the sales
floor as well as outside onto the street. Changing art exhibitions provide
further highlights at Kalevala. Since the jewellery manufacturer regu-
larly collaborates with designers and artists, it made sense to use the
shop space as a gallery at the same time. The latest exhibition features
some of the works by Helsinki-based artist Milla Vaahtera, whose large
mobiles made of brass and coloured glass are particularly effective in
the two-storey area of the shop.
AIT 9.2025 • 083