OPUS Architecture is a Helsinki-based architecture practice, established in 2017 by Matias Kotilainen, Tuomas Martinsaari and Paul Thynell. The founding partners studied architecture at Aalto University in Finland and have worked together closely since 2013.
The practice is focused on building design and urban planning. In every project, we primarily aspire to create and develop an architecturally sound, functional and durable built environment. We believe that these goals are best achieved through active collaboration with all the participants and experts involved in each project and in all stages of the process.
The questions about the fundamentals of architecture act as the fulcrum of our process. We see architecture as a symbiosis of specificity and generality, and in each project we seek to find an apt balance of the two. The ‘general’ supports flexibility, future iterations and uses, provides for structural economy and construction logic. The ‘specific’ creates possibilities for making places out of spaces, that act as anchors of memory and contribute to the preservation of the built environment. We believe that durability and sustainability are all-encompassing values that include more than mere technological solutions.
OPUS utilizes the latest BIM tools in design. The office has competence in harnessing the potential of the latest technology in diverse ways in each and every level of the project. We also test ideas using scale models and the office frequently employs modern techniques, including 3D-printing and laser cutting in addition to traditional methods.
OPUS shares their knowledge on building and architecture through public lectures and teaching at Aalto University Department of Architecture. The office is a member of ATL The Association of Finnish Architects’ Offices.
WORKS
Meri-Rastila education center
School and daycare center in Meri-Rastila, Helsinki.
11 750 brm2 multipurpose educational building.
Competition. 1st prize. Ongoing. 2024–
Affordable daycare concept
Affordable daycare building concept for the City of Oulu.
Commission. Ongoing. 2024–
Oulu museum and science center
Museum and science center in Myllytulli, Oulu.
9 540 brm2 museum building.
Competition. 1st prize. Ongoing. 2022–
In collaboration with Simon Mahringer.
Koksikortteli
Hospitality and office block in Kalasatama, Helsinki.
Commission. Ongoing. 2023–
In collaboration with ARCO Architecture Company.
Extension for Autotalo
Office building as an extension for Autotalo quarter in Kamppi, Helsinki.
8 850 brm2 office and commercial building.
Competition. Completed. 2023–2024.
Vaunukuja infill plan
Infill plan for a plot in Vantaa for two new apartment buildings.
Commission. Completed. 2022–2023.
House B
Private single family house in Kauniainen.
Commission. Ongoing. 2022–
In collaboration with Simon Mahringer.
Kankaan Suvanto urban plan
Urban planning for the zoning process for Kangas, Jyväskylä.
Competition. 1st prize. Completed. 2022–2024.
In collaboration with Simon Mahringer.
Sara Hildén museum of modern art
Museum of modern art in historic Finlayson area, Tampere.
5 500 brm2 art museum building.
Consultancy. Concluded. 2022–2023.
Janne Hovi Architects, in collaboration with OPUS.
Vallila densification study
Urban densification plan for former industrial area of Vallila, Helsinki.
Commission. Completed. 2021-2022.
Kuninkaantammi school and daycare
School and daycare center in Kuninkaantammi, Helsinki.
4 900 brm2 multipurpose educational building.
Competition. 1st prize. Built. 2020–2023.
Redevelopment of Kontula city center
Urban redevelopment plan for the center of historic suburb of Kontula, Helsinki.
Competition. 1st prize. Ongoing. 2020–
Redevelopment of Lapinlahti hospital area
Urban redevelopment plan for historic Lapinlahti hospital area, Helsinki.-
Competition. 1st prize. Completed. 2019–2020.
In collaboration with Ark-byroo ltd. & Architects Soini & Horto ltd.
Housing block in Postipuisto area, district 17123
New housing block in Pohjois-Pasila, Helsinki.
Commission. Completed. 2019.
Hakaniemenranta, district 11205-11207
Urban infill block planning in Hakaniemi, Helsinki.
Commission. Completed. 2018.
In collaboration with Benjamin Schulman, Veera Tolvanen & Matti Wäre.
Jakomäen Sydän
Primary school and daycare center in Jakomäki, Helsinki.
10 990 brm2 multipurpose educational building.
Competition. 1st prize. Built. 2017–2021.
In collaboration with Auer & Sandås architects ltd.
Myllykoski parish center
Parish center in Myllykoski, Kouvola.
650 brm2 assembly building.
Competition. 1st prize. Built. 2016–2020.
COMPETITIONS
1. prize
School and daycare center in Meri-Rastila, Helsinki
two phased open architecture competition 2024
5. prize
Carthage Museum & Rehabilitation of Byrsa Hill, Tunisia
open international architecture competition 2023
in collaboration with Anis Souissi
1. prize
Museum and science center in Oulu
open architecture competition 2023
in collaboration with Simon Mahringer
purchase prize (proposal "Enemmän kuin")
School and library in Karhula, Kotka
open architecture competition 2022
purchase prize (proposal "Podium")
School and library in Karhula, Kotka
open architecture competition 2022
1. prize
Urban plan for Kankaan Suvanto, Jyväskylä
open architecture competition 2022
in collaboration with Simon Mahringer
purchase prize
Urban plan for Kankaan Suvanto, Jyväskylä
open architecture competition 2022
in collaboration with Simon Mahringer
honorary mention
Urban plan for Kankaan Suvanto, Jyväskylä
open architecture competition 2022
in collaboration with Simon Mahringer
shared 3. prize (proposal “Metsän varrella”)
Kindergarten in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki
open two-phased architecture competition 2021
shared 3. prize (proposal “Jean”)
Kindergarten in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki
open two-phased architecture competition 2021
in collaboration with landscape architect Veera Tolvanen
honorary mention
Museum of modern art in historic Finlayson area, Tampere
open international architecture competition 2021
3. prize
Multi-purpose town hall and market place in Kärdla, Estonia
open international architecture competition 2021
in collaboration with Inphysica Technology
1. prize
Primary school and daycare center in Kuninkaantammi, Helsinki
limited two-phased architecture competition 2020
1. prize
Urban redevelopment plan for Kontula city center, Helsinki
invited architecture competition 2020
1. prize
Urban redevelopment plan for historic Lapinlahti hospital area, Helsinki
two-phased open idea competition 2020
in collaboration with Ark-byroo ltd. & Architects Soini & Horto ltd.
honorary mention
Urban development plan for Töölöntori, Helsinki
open architecture competition 2020
3. prize
Urban infill plan for Lappeenranta
open architecture competition 2019
purchase prize
Urban infill plan for Sastamala
open architecture competition 2019
honorary mention
Housing in Meri-Rastila, Helsinki
open architecture competition 2019
purchase prize
Culture center in Viimsi, Estonia
open international architecture competition 2018
2. prize
Urban infill plan for Hakaniemenranta, Helsinki
open architecture competition 2018
in collaboration with Benjamin Schulman, Veera Tolvanen & Matti Wäre
purchase prize
Theatre in Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia
open international architecture competition 2018
3. prize
Art museum extension in Tampere
open architecture competition 2017
1. prize
Primary school and daycare center in Jakomäki, Helsinki
invited architecture competition 2017
in collaboration with Claudia Auer
2. prize
Housing in Suomenlinna, Helsinki
open architecture competition 2017
in collaboration with Matti Wäre
3. prize
Urban plan for Jyväskylä
open architecture competition 2017
1. prize
Parish center in Myllykoski
open architecture competition 2016
in collaboration with Matti Wäre
2. prize
Parish center in Myllykoski
open architecture competition 2016
in collaboration with Benjamin Schulman & Matti Wäre
3. prize
Parish center in Myllykoski
open architecture competition 2016
in collaboration with Matti Wäre
purchase prize
Primary school in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki
two-phased open architecture competition, finalist 2015
* * *