Curved, soft shapes, a natural harmonious aesthetic, refined details, and Finnish wood as the centerpiece – both the new Katajanokan Laituri building and Nikari’s Linea RMT3 chair model share these qualities. It’s no wonder they fit together seamlessly.

Katajanokan Laituri is a new architectural landmark by the Market Square in Helsinki, hosting Stora Enso’s headquarters as well as the S Group’s Solo Sokos Hotel Pier4 and the Harbore restaurant. The building was designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects, with Franz Design overseeing the interior architecture of the hotel and restaurant. This interior project spanned three years, during which Franz’s team, including Elina Kousa and Heini Korpinen, designed the hotel’s common areas, guest rooms, sauna and conference spaces, gym, restaurant, and rooftop bar.

“The building itself is unique, and its striking elements created a perfect backdrop for the spaces. It was easy to design beautiful interiors for such a beautiful setting,” say Kousa and Korpinen.

In November 2024, Katajanokan Laituri, a winning proposal in an international architectural competition was announced as the The 2024 Wood Award winner, jury statement highlighting its impressive demonstration of what is possible in Finnish wood construction today.

Throughout the building, Finnish natural materials are prominently showcased. The main lobby floor is granite, and Finnish spruce features in the structural elements. The architecture is impressive, with rounded forms repeated throughout, and a ceiling in the main lobby that opens like a large eye toward the sky.

This rounded design language is also seen in Nikari’s Linea RMT3 chair model, which Kousa and Korpinen selected as a key element in the Harbore restaurant’s interior. The chair can also be found in the suites, adding to the ambiance.

“With the freestanding furniture, we wanted to mirror the building’s Finnish wood and natural quality, while adding softness to balance the high ceilings,” Korpinen adds. “We aimed to lower the focus of the space, bringing it to the level of the seated guests.”

The Beauty of Finnish Wood

The interiors have a light overall look, with visible wood structures adding warmth. On the hotel side, this light feel is enhanced with light-colored wooden furnishings, while the restaurant aims to create a more intimate atmosphere.

“In the restaurant, the architecture brings brightness with its light wooden surfaces – softwood in the structures and ash in the fixed furnishings,” says Kousa. “We wanted to add a distinct layer with the freestanding furniture, one that contrasts with the structural wood.”

“With the freestanding furniture, we wanted to mirror the building’s Finnish wood and natural quality, while adding softness to balance the high ceilings,” Korpinen adds. “We aimed to lower the focus of the space, bringing it to the level of the seated guests.”

Nikari’s chairs became part of the interior design plan early in the process.

Rudi Merz originally designed the Linea RMT3 chair for Nikari’s collection in 2009. The chair’s elegant look centers around rounded, soft shapes, seen both in the backrest and wide, upholstered seat. The organic design evokes natural forms.

“The chair’s aesthetics and beauty perfectly complemented the concept,” says Korpinen.

High-Quality Finnish Woodwork

Kousa and Korpinen added warmth to the restaurant with curtains and fixed sofas, but Nikari’s chair’s soft design language also contributed to the overall ambiance.

“Nikari’s chairs are high-end, Finnish-made woodworking pieces of exceptional quality. The chairs themselves add value to the space,” Korpinen says.

The Linea RMT3 chair plays a central role in Harbore restaurant’s interior design: in the nearly 200-seat restaurant, there are 66 of these chairs. Since Nikari’s products are Finnish handmade furniture, each project can select the exact stain tones, ensuring a harmonious look without clashing wood tones. Finding the ideal stain for the ash took careful consideration.

“The collaboration went well; Nikari provided color samples from which we could choose the perfect match for the other furnishings,” Kousa explains.

Korpinen and Kousa are pleased with the result: Hotel guests feel that the hotel’s concept continues seamlessly into the restaurant, while visitors to the restaurant alone experience a unique atmosphere that stands apart from a typical hotel restaurant. And what a setting it is: Market Square and its historic buildings are right nearby, and every seat in the restaurant offers a view of the sea.

The Linea RMT3 chair’s curved, wave-like backrest could also be seen as mirroring the movements of the harbor’s waters.