Restaurant design
Leimu Café & Eatery
In the historic Arabia factory area, a café–lunch restaurant was transformed into a place that brings together local workers, residents, and visitors under one roof. Set at the heart of a district known for its design heritage, Leimu acts as a warm, contemporary meeting place.
A New Heart for Arabia
When the property owner Varma set out to renew the central café and restaurant spaces within the Arabia 135 complex, the aim was to create a shared living room for all. The concept was developed in collaboration between ISS and Amerikka, creating a meeting place for local users while supporting the area’s role as a visitor destination.
The café, located along the gallery corridor, was envisioned as the new heart of Arabia – a place that draws people in with its inviting selection and welcoming atmosphere. Extended opening hours encourage visitors to stop by beyond lunchtime as well.
From the customer’s perspective, the restaurant and café now form a cohesive whole, both in terms of services and spatial experience.
“ The visual identity of the café and restaurant has been successfully renewed, and customer feedback has been positive. The ambition for the café to become a shared living room for the entire block has come to life, with its inviting atmosphere encouraging people to stay and spend time”
–Jenni Nivalainen, Asset Manager / Varma
ISS service manager Riina Niemi was involved in the project from the very beginning. According to her, collaboration between all parties ran smoothly – even the initial mood boards and design visions from Amerikka already aligned closely with ISS’s own concept draft.
“Shared objectives were identified quickly, and all parties were able to articulate their needs clearly. This helped build a cohesive whole that works both as a space and as a service.”
The goal set by Varma was to achieve a significant transformation within a predictable budget and a tight schedule.
The execution was led by project management consultant Indepro, with Pia Ikonen overseeing project management and Mekol-Rakennus responsible for construction. Open communication and a solution-oriented approach ensured the success of the project.
Designing Through Reuse
The design made extensive use of existing structures and furniture wherever possible. As many surfaces within the space were already in good condition, the renovation focused selectively on areas where interventions would have the greatest impact.
In the café, interior surfaces were updated, but in a restrained manner, using only a limited amount of new material. The concrete surface revealed beneath the tiled floor was ground and left exposed as part of the spatial expression. Existing suspended ceilings were removed, and the original ceiling surfaces were refurbished. The glass wall at the rear, facing the library, was cleaned, and a textured plaster finish was carefully applied over the existing base surface.
Steel plates found in the basement were repurposed for the staircase and intentionally rusted to become part of the material palette. The staircase is a key element in the overall composition, as it provides a spatial link between the café and the restaurant. Rusted metal surface continues the familiar material language of the entire block – similar patinated metal details can also be found at the entrance of the Arabia store.
In the restaurant area, the approach strongly relied on what already existed.
The existing service line units were refurbished for continued use, with only the front panels recoloured. Furniture and lighting from the former café were reused, and the technical lighting in the dining hall was retained as is. In addition, surplus spotlights and sofas from other Varma properties were brought into the space.
The surfaces of the restaurant hall were largely left untouched: only a few key walls were repainted and worn areas refreshed. The atmosphere was updated primarily through furniture and decorative lighting.
The Café as an Anchor
The café is located at the front of the restaurant ensemble, directly by the entrance.
Previously, the service counter was positioned at the back of the space, and the seating mainly served passers-by looking for a place to rest. In the renovation, the counter was moved to the front to greet visitors immediately upon entry. As a result, the café has become a natural focal point for the entire block.
The space was organised into different seating zones to accommodate a variety of situations – from a quick coffee break to working or more relaxed encounters. Loose furniture, lighting and spatial dividers structure the space, creating a comfortable and welcoming whole.
All new loose furniture: Modeo. Fixed furniture: Puumeka. New lighting: DECOlight.
A New Life for the Lunch Restaurant
The lunch restaurant is located in the rear dining hall behind the café. The existing surfaces were retained, while the furnishings and spatial use were reworked.
Previously, the space was perceived as bleak and hall-like. A long row of sofas reinforced its canteen-like character, and a dining area previously used by students was transformed into a children’s play area in the renovation. At the same time, the restaurant hall was restructured: spatial dividers and a new furniture layout break the large volume into smaller, more intimate zones, making the space more comfortable and inviting.
The customer journey was also clarified. The buffet was moved closer to the entrance, and the café and restaurant areas are now connected at the staircase, tying the overall concept together.
“When the space was completed, I noticed that there is not a single spot in the entire restaurant where it doesn’t feel pleasant to sit. Every table has its own atmosphere”
-Riina Niemi, Service Manager / ISS
The children’s area is now located in its own quiet section at the back of the space.
The view opens towards the stunning Arabia 135 block library!
Leimu – Built to Adapt
The Arabia 135 block continues to evolve. As a mixed-use urban district, it offers space for retail, events, offices, and a vibrant, diverse environment that also attracts visitors. Leimu Café & Eatery acts as the heart of the area, bringing people together and offering a welcoming place to meet.
The café and restaurant spaces can be easily adapted to different situations, and discussions are currently underway with local artists about potential exhibitions. This flexibility enables a wide range of encounters and events, making Leimu ready for a variety of future uses!
Leimu Cafe & Eatery
Arabia135 -kortteli, ostoskeskus
Hämeentie 135,
00560 Helsinki
facts
Subject:
Café–lunch restaurant in the Arabia 135 block
Customer:
ISS | Varma
Timeframe:
2026
Scale:
Tot. 1030 m2
#designbyamerikka:
#spatialdesign #interiordesign #restaurantdesign #servicedesign #customerjourney #furnituredesign #look&feel
Team
- Amerikka Design Office: Laura Lampo, Jussi Salmivuori, Oona Airas
- Restaurant operator: ISS | Property owner: Varma
- Development consultant: Indepro Oy | Main contractor: Mekol-Rakennus Oy | Carpentry: Puumeka Oy | Loose furniture: Modeo Oy | Lighting: DECOlight Oy
Top 5
- The café greets visitors immediately upon entry and acts as a key draw for the entire block.
- Circular economy principles guided the design: the space was updated only where necessary.
- The staircase connects the café, lunch restaurant and the block into a unified whole.
- The café and restaurant spaces can be easily adapted to different situations and needs.
- Leimu acts as the heart of Arabia, bringing people together in a welcoming meeting place.
Photos Ⓒ Ville Vappula Studio
(Exterior photo of Arabia 135 Ⓒ Varma)
___________________________________
Does your space need development? Don’t hesitate to reach out – no matter the size of your project, we’ll work together to find the best solution for your specific needs!
You might also be interested in
Restaurant Fågeli
Kaffet at Helsinki Airport
