Property development and maintenance

We are a regionally significant investor

Our aim is to develop healthy, functional, safe and energy-efficient environments for learning and research.

Our project planning is based on either our customers’ premises alteration needs or new construction needs, or renovation needs based on the current condition of existing buildings. Where possible, we incorporate other projects into our renovation projects, such as modernising learning environments or carrying out alterations to premises. We negotiate these with the customers.

We use the BREEAM classification system to evaluate new construction projects and major renovation projects. BREEAM, short for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology, is a comprehensive set of indicators for monitoring the environmental impacts of buildings. The scoring incorporates criteria including management, health and wellbeing, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, land use, innovation and the prevention of contamination.

Major projects across Finland

We were kept busy in 2017 by previously-begun major projects, such as the Medisiina D new construction project that began in Turku in November 2015. The foundation stone for the Medisiina D multi-user building was laid in May 2016, and the project will continue until mid-2018.

At the end of 2017, we had a total of 223 projects in the preparatory and planning stages, with a combined value of EUR 241 million. A further 104 projects were in the investment stage, with a total value of EUR 201 million.

The most significant property development investment decisions of the year were as follows:

• At the Linnanmaa campus in Oulu, renovation of premises for the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education and facilities for the Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
• For the University of Eastern Finland, laboratory alterations in the Snellmania building at the Kuopio campus and alterations to premises used for teacher training at the Joensuu campus.
• Alterations to process engineering premises for the University of Oulu (phase 2) and
• Renovation of the Athenaeum building at the University of Jyväskylä.

The most significant planning decisions of the year involved the new Juslenia building and the renovation of Medisiina A–C in Turku.

Property development projects completed during the year included the renovation of the main building of the University of Jyväskylä, renovation of the Calonia building at the University of Turku, alterations to process engineering premises at the University of Oulu (phase 1) and the renovation of the Metria building for the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu.

Several significant projects will be completed in 2018, including the Medisiina D building in Turku, the Verso project in Lappeenranta, alterations to premises for the Faculty of Architecture in Oulu, renovation of premises for the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education in Oulu, laboratory alterations for the University of Eastern Finland in the Snellmania building in Kuopio and the renovation of the Athenaeum building at the University of Jyväskylä.

We received an honourable mention from Motiva and RAKLI for our efforts to improve the energy efficiency of commercial properties during the 2011–2016 term of the TETS energy efficiency agreement. As this achievement indicates, we started the new TETS period of 2017–2025 from a strong position.

We also obtained new BREEAM certificates during the year. The Ruusupuisto building in Jyväskylä and the Medisiina D building were awarded planning stage environmental certificates under the BREEAM system with a rating of Very Good for both properties.

In January 2018, the SYK won the 2017 Property Developer of the Year award. RAKLI’s jury justified its selection by highlighting our efforts to drive the evolution of property development through experimental projects as well as our use of campus development to link city strategies and property management.