A rOOm WitH viEW in – kLAusk As a member of the international Design Hotels group, Helsinki’s Hotel klausk on bulevardi has certain expectations to live up to. As an historic fixture in the fabric of the Finnish capital, yet more expectations arise. today’s contemporary design hotel is the best of both/all worlds, combining the highest in international design and the richness of traditional Finnish culture. All 137 rooms together with two special suites are equipped with state-of-the-art fixtures and services. And the room classifications range playfully from mystical and Passion to Desire and Envy; and all describe and represent feelings and sentiments central to Finnish mythic literature. All communicate a sense of skilful, compelling treatment and warm, personal touch. tOWErinG DEsiGn HistOry – HOtEL tOrni Helsinki’s Hotel torni is truly an original. built back in 1928 it’s the city’s first and original skyscraper. (torni is Finnish for “tower”.) And it’s rich in history, which is uncovered and suggested at every step. the torni has been done over any number of times but it retains its unique mix of art deco ornament and the clean minimal lines of early functionalism. Contemporary fuses with the past seamlessly, with great attention to light, intimacy and appointment, to the unique public-private relationship at work here. stAy As yOu ArE – OmEnAHOtELs in bold, contemporary contrast to the rich historic heritage of hotels like the torni, klausk, Palace and vaakuna, Omenahotels is Helsinki’s latest chain of hotels and hotel concepts. Omenahotels have been designed to offer good accommodation in prime locations at pleasing rates; and the traditional hotel fixtures remain in the background. Here you don’t pay for services you don’t need. there are no sales and reception areas but a round-the-clock remote reception service instead. book over the net and get your room number and door codes the same way. you don’t even check-in or out. there is no staff; you come and go as you please. the driving idea is the client picks a hotel at the destination – the destination isn’t chosen because of the hotel. Presently two locations in Helsinki and others across the country. Planned new locations include stockholm, berlin, Paris, barcelona. DEsiGn trAnsPArEnCy – LAsiPALAtsi the Lasipalatsi restaurant is located in the Lasipalatsi (“Glass Palace”) building, one of the most important functionalist structures in Helsinki. it was originally built in the 1930s to serve as a temporary bazaar venue. and it was actually designed by three young architecture students, one of them viljo revell. years later, after decades of neglect it underwent comprehensive renovation, restoring the unique functionalist style of pure white walls, large windows and interiors, together with warm interior colours and small quirky details. it even has a 1930s-era Winter Garden with live palms. Open Helsinki — Embedding Design in Life World Design Capital 2012 Application