Koivusaari metrostation, Helsinki

Reference case

Architectural office: Helin & Co.
Granite: Aurora

Helsinki's Koivusaari metro station is a perfect fit for its beautiful, marine environment. The station was opened in 2017 as part of Länsimetro, the western extension of the Helsinki metro. The design of the station mimics the outlines a wooden hull ship that has been turned to its side, and the building is upholstered in reddish-brown Aurora granite that resembles the shores of Helsinki's cliffs.

As in many other Länsimetro stations, a lot of Finnish natural stone has been used in Koivusaari both in exterior and interior cladding. Jutta Haarti-Katajainen, a lead architect at the architectural office Helin & Co. architectural acted as the main architect of the metro station. According to her the Aurora granite quarried closeby in Mäntsälä was selected as one of the main materials, as it met both the visual and technical criteria set for the materials.

- Finnish granite is a durable and beautifully aging material. In addition, it is easy to clean and requires little maintenance. Among Finnish natural stones, Aurora was chosen as the material for this maritime station, as its vibrant, reddish-brown color scheme is equal to the cliffs of the Helsinki region, she says.

The only underwater metro station in the world

Koivusaari metro station is both globally special and record breaking in Finland. The station is not only the world's only underwater metro station, but also has the longest escalator in Finland. Located in a marine environment, Koivusaari station sits perfectly on the cliffs of Helsinki, and the vibrant surface of Aurora granite paints a picture of sea waves. SKT-Granit Oy has manufactured the Aurora tiles for the site and Kivipaasi Oy has been responsible for the installation. The Koivusaari metro construction site received the Finnish Construction Site of the Year award in 2015.

Read more about Koivusaari metro station on Helin & Co.'s website here.