Building technology that withstands offshore wind and loam
The challenges that building technology engineers face in ports include a chilling sea breeze, a submersible clay soil and stylish, unique architecture. Vesa-Matti Sahonen of ARE explains how they intend to make the joint terminal one of the most modern terminals on the Baltic Sea coast.
The silhouette of Turku Castle is almost entirely hidden by the excavation mound. At the Skanska construction site, the footing was almost completely ready by mid-May and the installation of the sewer drains was in full swing.
From the edge of the excavated area, Vesa-Matti Sahonen, ARE Unit Director, observed the work being done. The brackets holding the orange sewer pipes were placed, at certain points, at intervals as frequent as every 30 centimetres.
“They’re really close together. Extremely close. These pipes will definitely not sag at all!” says Sahonen.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for one of the pipelines to a block of flats built on the shoreline in Turku. Its brackets were placed further apart. The clay settled and it was a lot of work to repair the sagging pipeline.
“The clay layer near the sea is also almost always wet. These conditions have to be taken into the equation when carrying out plumbing and electrical work”, states Sahonen.
ARE has extensive experience in building technology. The company is one of the largest and oldest on Finland’s West Coast. Businessman Alfred Onninen was busy laying pipes in Turku already in 1913. Although building technology has undergone considerable changes over the past century or so, ARE is still operating in the sector and in Turku. One of its newest construction sites was secured when the company won the competitive tendering for the HVAC, fire sprinklers and electric works contract for the port terminal in Turku. As a result, ARE is responsible for the engineering work for the entire terminal building.
The terminal intrigues installers
“We are so pleased and proud to have the opportunity to build the terminal. It is architecturally spectacular as well as a large and desirable project. Our interest was also piqued by the fact that those commissioning the work in the Port of Turku are themselves building professionals. It is really great to work with them.”
Although the building sector in the Turku area has not been doing as poorly as in many other locations in Finland, Sahonen is pleased with the employment impact that FTT brings. It was not difficult to find workers for the port site.
“The project also interested installers. A building like this designed by an architect requires unique solutions for its electrical work, such as the concealment of lights behind wooden grating. These kinds of challenges inspire installers more than a standard hall”, Sahonen believes.
More unique solutions
Due to the location and architecture of FTT, it allowed us to consider more unique solutions.
“The most architecturally attractive facade of the terminal faces the mainland. For this reason, the supply air for the building was taken from the sea side, since it allowed us to hide the supply air grille”, Sahonen explains.
When a strong wind from the sea blows sleet straight at the air grille, it can freeze. However, ventilation must be secured in all weather conditions and very efficiently, since large numbers of people will enter the terminal within a short period of time whenever a ship is arriving or departing.
“The fresh air supply in the building is assured by an electrically heated ventilation grille. These are rarely used anywhere.”
The pace of construction will truly accelerate at the turn of the year once the roof of the terminal is put into place.
Text & photos: Sari Järvinen
ARE Oy
- Employs approximately 3,391 people in Finland and Sweden.
- Provides services for the entire life cycle of the property from real estate management and building technology to energy and expert services.
- The value of ARE’s FTT contract is approximately EUR 4.1 million.
- Turnover of EUR 485 million in 2024.
