Kalevankatu 31 A 14, 6. krs.
fi-00100 Helsinki
p. +358 9 442005
info@amerikka.fi
Our design work is built on a broad understanding of projects and on close cooperation with customers and other experts. Our customers range from growth enterprises to well-known public and private operators.
Our specialties are designing retail and other commercial spaces, building brands and developing spatial and operational concepts.
The Marttiini knife is high-quality Finnish brand, well known in its home country. In order to respond to the challenge of its design and gift shop competitors, Marttiini renewed its outlet by Helsinki Senate Square. “We wanted to make an attractive shop – in fact, a real sight to see. Not only that, but we wanted to take women into account – one of our continuously growing customer groups,” explains the company’s managing director, Päivi Ohvo.
The retail outlet’s materials incorporate traditional belt-knife materials – wood, steel and leather. The furniture design is a combination of modern age and tradition. The space has been planned with emphasis on the sales event, as well as on presentation and storage of products.
The shop has been a commercial success: both sales and average purchase totals have increased significantly.
Articles from the international magazines: Frame/Marttiini Shop | Dezeen/Marttiini Shop
Marttiini Shop in World Architecture News' WAN Awards' "long list": WAN long list
The cooperation of Amerikka Design Office Ltd. and SOK’s Coffee House café chain began in spring 2011 and the first completed locations are being opened to the public in October and November 2011. In addition to an increase in customer seating and sales, emphasis has been put on space concept development work for Coffee House recognition as well as on the chain’s distinctive character and visibility. Attraction has been increased on the brand level and specifically in café premises and the surrounding street environment.
The Coffee House chain currently numbers 26 cafés. The continuous concept development and the rollout process will thereby continue for several years. Not only in the steering of the chain by SOK’s Hospitality Business but also within the regional cooperative retail outlet sector, belief in the positive impact of concept renewal – both financially and in imagination and image – is strong.
Images of the first finished project on the left
Amerikka Design Office Ltd. has been involved in renewing the rental and sales facilities of Finnish ski resorts. With the growing demands of an increasingly international clientele, integral experientiality is being demanded from public premises. The renewed rental and retail outlet facilities are representative, functional and pleasant. In addition, they have a major role in building resort brands.
A satisfied customer is our best reward. A good example is Kimmo Lämsä, Manager of Ticket Sales, the Ski Shop and the rental outlet for Ylläs-Ski Oy. He credits us: “Customer comments have been really positive: the premises and the whole are functional and it’s always nice to come here – so we hear! And our sales have truly exceeded all expectations!”
Images of our resort designs on the left
Åland Maritime Museum is one of the most significant tourist destinations in Mariehamn and Åland. The largest renewal in its history is currently in progress. The Museum will obtain twice the amount of exhibition space and the old exhibition area is being restored to its original splendour. In its design, Amerikka Design Office Ltd. is modernising the entire exhibition area of the museum in one fell swoop – without forgetting the heritage behind centuries of sailing tradition.
Exhibition visitors are escorted into a rich atmosphere of seafaring through the most familiar of ship materials. Boats used to be made of wood, whereas currently they are made of iron. Authenticity and the feeling of the material in the exhibition are brought close to the visitor. The layout of objects has been planned with care and the audio-visual elements of the exhibition are taken into consideration in the architecture. New technology and innovative solutions support the whole – and the visual realisation produces an integrated thread that runs throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition will be unveiled to the public in spring 2012
Amerikka Design Office Ltd. has had the pleasure to be involved in the building and development of a large number of various brands, through space planning, conceptualisation and graphic design and, at best, combinations of all these elements.
Images of the projects on the left
In May 2011, an international competition was arranged – the Kruunusillat Bridge Design Competition – for a bridge accommodating light traffic from Laajasalo to Kruunuvuorenranta in the centre of Helsinki. The wish was to obtain an attractive appearance with accompanying materials for the bridge design competition. The goal was to demonstrate the significance of the project as a high-quality landmark and an urban attraction.
Creative experts were particularly desired for the competition, but the decision-making interests are conservative and the project financially large. In the design work, a casual character was sought, whilst remembering the formal dimension of the project at the same time. To support the marketing of the competition, a contest programme was designed to fit in a case with the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 theme that could, for instance, be given as a business gift.
The submission date for contest applications was 3 August 2011. Applications arrived from some of the top offices in the world and totalled 50 % more than the number originally expected. Many of the offices that had submitted applications praised the competition programme, noting that it had encouraged their decision to participate. Our project has had some positive influence with regard to at least these aspects – and towards Helsinki obtaining a very fine bridge!
HeiaHeia.com, which has taken off from Finland to achieve an influential presence on the world map, is an online social service where users can keep a personal record of their own workout efforts and encourage their friends. The service, launched in December 2009, suits everyone from dedicated athletes to casual trainers, since HeiaHeia.com already recognises over 350 forms of exercise – from mountain climbing to berry picking.
Amerikka Design Office Ltd. has been involved in designing HeiaHeia.com’s concept, together with the service’s Helsinki-based operator Mooze. The visual identity of the service is entirely the handiwork of Amerikka Design Office Ltd.
www.heiaheia.com
Nikolai Vuosiolut is a salute by Sinebrychoff’s brewery masters at to the distinguished founder of the brewery. Its visual identity was designed to express dignity and know-how as well as speak to the consumer amongst Finnish premium beers.
In the design effort, identification with other members of the Nikolai product family was taken into consideration, as well as the opportunity to implement visual renewal through small changes on an annual basis. In addition to the visual identity, the bottle, can, gift package and transport case for Nikolai Vuosiolut 2011 were also specially designed.
“We have received positive feedback on the packaging design from retailers and consumers alike. The product has sparked interest and become quite a commercial success,” says Mira Appelqvist, Senior Brand Manager at Sinebrychoff.
More examples of our packaging design projects on the left