WasaCon implemented Botnia Marine's new office space in Maalahti
Botnia Marin, known for its Targa boats, chose WasaCon to build its new offices. The office building, located in Maalahti, south of Vaasa, next to the company's production facilities, was completed in early 2023.
"It was an interesting project because instead of using a construction consultant, we worked directly with the client, Botnia Marin's management, from the very beginning. At the outset, we had a sketch of 1200 square meters of office space drawn on a piece of paper and in practice three options: renovating and expanding the existing office, building new premises on the existing site or locating a new building on the same plot," says Markku Pihlajamäki, Site Manager at WasaCon.
Due to the tight schedule, the contract for the new office space was awarded on a so-called project management model, which allows planning and preparation for implementation to be carried out simultaneously, in line with mutually agreed objectives and budget.
"We quickly decided that renovating an original office building from the 1970s did not make sense. With the help of sketches prepared by WasaPlan, we looked at two other options, and the client chose to build new premises on the site of the existing office building," says Pihlajamäki.
The project management model gives the client an active role in the construction project
The chosen implementation method is risk-free for the client in terms of costs, but requires active commitment throughout the construction project. When plans are made while construction is still in progress, the client is faced with many decisions, for example on the furnishings and finishes of the sanitary facilities, while the site is still under construction.
"In this project, too, many of the basic solutions that were considered good in the initial plans were replaced along the way with higher quality and more spectacular alternatives. Costs are known all the time, as the final bill does not show any expensive additional work. This would not work if there was not complete trust and good communication between the parties involved," says Pihlajamäki.
Success requires cooperation
A new office building was erected on the site of the former offices and connected to the production facilities on two sides.
"We first built the hull and then the sheathing around it, so that water can't do its damage at the joints. Then we punched the necessary holes in the wall of the old building. It was quite a surprise when, according to the drawings, the concrete frame revealed log structures and masonry brick walls. However, I think the end result is successful and, thanks to the client's choice of materials, a very impressive office building," says Pihlajamäki.
The successful outcome was achieved above all thanks to smooth cooperation.
"The site phase, for example, required a lot of negotiation as we tried to keep the area as small as possible - after all, we were working in the yard of the factory, where there also had to be space for logistics and parking. However, everything went smoothly in good cooperation with the client. We had to stretch the timetable a little at the end, but that was also agreed together," says Pihlajamäki.
One project, one partner.
Interested?
Contact us!
