About Us
A small yet prominent architectural firm since 1982
Helamaa & Heiskanen is a renowned architectural company established in 1982. We employ 42 staff members, all of whom are professionals in the field of architecture and construction. Over our 40-year history, we have left a lasting mark on the cityscape of Tampere in particular, but our work is visible in numerous other cities in Finland as well.
Despite our company’s expansion, our organisation has not become rigid under the pressure of growth. The flexibility of a small company is evident in our low hierarchy and effective teamwork. Our architects handle many tasks independently. Our work environment relies on equality and encouragement; we always assist those who ask, and every employee’s work is equally valuable. We take care of our employees by providing excellent work benefits and insurance.
Are you looking for a new boost in your career?
For more detailed information about Helamaa & Heiskanen as an employer, you can visit our recruitment page.
History
In the early 1980s, Erkki Helamaa already had a reputable office bearing his own name in Helsinki, but everything changed with the arrival of a project in Tampere’s Haapalinnankylä on his desk. In 1982, a branch office was established in Tampere, with Keijo Heiskanen as its leader. The “men in trench coats” from Helsinki initially encountered scepticism, which later faded away, and the company earned its place as a Tampere-based architectural firm.
One of Helamaa & Heiskanen’s largest and most visible projects is the Tampella area. As industry gradually receded from Tampella, a new plan was needed for the large area. Helamaa & Heiskanen’s competition entry, “Huutoja vai kuiskauksia” (Shouts or Whispers), won the design competition, further solidifying the firm’s reputation in Tampere.
The idea of the Tampella plan was to preserve the cultural values of the rapid milieu and the continuity of the old urban structure. This has indeed been realised: much of the old has been preserved, but there is now more spaciousness.
Ownership changes within the architectural firm have always occurred internally, reflecting the employees’ desire to continue the company’s impressive story. After Helamaa stepped back, the Heiskanen family remained the main owner of the firm for a long time. Mastosalo and Saarijärvi took the reins in the early 2000s. A few years ago, Helamaa & Heiskanen underwent an organisational change, which strengthened the current leadership with a management team. Members of the management team are the architects Ahokas, Hirvonen, Pikkarainen, Toivola and Tuomisto.
What’s next?
We have embraced change as part of our work. We constantly improve ourselves and our operations by staying up to date.