We believe it is important to promote the preservation of our building traditions in Finland. They are part of our roots, and therefore we want to share as much knowledge and experience as possible in this field. At the same time, we bring traditional building into the present – here, now and into the future.
Rather than speaking of traditional building, we prefer to use the concept of building conservation, which is not something old-fashioned from the past, but more relevant than ever.
The concept of building conservation has several levels and meanings, but primarily refers to the renovation and maintenance of older buildings, as well as the craftsmanship and working methods required for this.
It naturally also encompasses traditional building, that is, the construction of new buildings according to the same proven principles – sustainably and ecologically.
Building conservation is about cherishing and appreciating our built heritage, about architecture, and about exploring cultural history. But it is also an attitude. One must be humble and curious: why has a certain solution lasted 300 years and why has another not? When repairing damage, one must understand its root cause and not merely fix what has broken.
It is also about stylistically appropriate and timeless interior design that respects the original architecture and period of the building – from wallpapers to tiled stoves. But also about building physics and natural, high-quality materials.
Restoring old buildings is fascinating, as each area of expertise could be studied for an entire lifetime. This is a profession where you never stop learning. We are eternal apprentices with professional pride. Promoting education in the field and inspiring others is equally important – it begins with valuing craftsmanship. That is why we also collaborate with various educational institutions in the field.
All these cornerstones of building conservation create a whole with a deeper meaning. Our responsible work is part of the continuum of architectural history and is passed on from generation to generation.
With love for the craft,
Thomas Noreila, Master of Building Conservation