2014 OCTOBER
Paula Salonen & Liisa Viljakainen-Pailinna
Paula Salonen / JKMM Architects: Interior design for Helsinki Court of Appeal, 2008–2011. Photo: JKMM Architects
Interior architects Paula Salonen and Liisa Viljakainen-Pailinna approach creative design as a continuous interpretation of the surrounding society and phenomena of our time. During their extensive careers, they have executed numerous design projects, working both independently and for architecture offices. They see interior design as an essential part of the whole architectural process, enabling it, together with the furnishing, to form a seamless and integral part of the space.
Paula Salonen / JKMM Architects: Interior design for Helsinki Court of Appeal, 2008–2011. Photo: JKMM Architects
This approach can be seen also in one of Paula Salonen’s interior design projects, Helsinki Court of Appeal, a protected 1940’s functionalist building that was renovated 2008–2011. Part of the interior was restored into the original 1940’s appearance, up to the unique furniture and coloring, while most of the offices and the court halls were entirely renovated and modernized for the new purpose.
During the project, Paula Salonen worked closely with architects and the National Board of Antiquities in order to combine the past, functionality and the dignity of the building in creating modern, public spaces to a protected industrial building. The challenge of the project was keeping up the balance between preserving and renewing. In the praised outcome modern architecture with glass wall office rooms exists side by side with the old 1940’s style creating a timeless, elegant and visually seamless ensemble.
Paula Salonen’s expertise in the field of interior design extends from commercial buildings and office spaces to cultural institutions and public spaces. In addition to the Helsinki Court of Appeal, she has designed interiors for example for the Finnish Embassy in Paris and the headquarters of the media company Alma Media. Currently Salonen is working for a Helsinki based architecture office JKKM Architects.
Liisa Viljakainen-Pailinna has specialized in fixture and freestanding furniture design for office building interiors and public places such as the public transport center Kamppi and the Tapiola Bank headquarters in Helsinki. During the past two decades, she has done also interior and industrial design participating in several projects. Viljakainen-Pailinna works for the Davidsson Tarkela Architects.
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