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. When planning the projects, we take into account, together with the users, the current and future objectives and space requirements and develop environments for teaching, work and research.

Responsibility and sustainability are key themes both in our construction and maintenance operations, as was the case last year. 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. Last year, we also initiated the review of our existing buildings in compliance with the BREEAM In-Use certificate.

In 2019, we had a minor rearrangement of our organisational structure, and property development and maintenance are once again one entity. Construction and maintenance largely share the same objectives and themes, which means that we achieve excellent synergies. This way, we also ensure the best possible flow of information between our experts in these fields.

On the balance sheet date of 2019, we had a total of 250 projects in the preparatory and planning stages, with a combined value of EUR 362 million. The number of projects in progress was 63, and their total value was EUR 237 million. The projects also include maintenance investment projects.

Property development

Most significant construction projects in progress in 2019

Aurum of the Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku
Alterations at the University Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Alterations of Arcanum at the University of Turku
Library of the University of Jyväskylä

In 2019, the company’s investments totalled EUR 114 million. The basic renovation of Torni building in Rauma and the extension of a teacher training school in Rovaniemi were completed during the year. The year also saw the progress of earlier started projects according to plans.

Of the projects in progress last year, the biggest project in our history, the Aurum being built for Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku, progressed according to plans in good cooperation with the universities and the contractor. The frame of Aurum was completed last year, and preparations for interior work started. The key features of Aurum are energy efficiency and the preparedness to produce renewable energy. These features are supported by geothermal energy and several solar panels in Aurum. Aurum will be completed in 2021.

Our other projects in progress include the alteration of premises at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, the day-care centre in Rauma, as well as basic renovation of the main building and Medisiina A–C in Turku.

The most significant investment decisions of the year concerned the basic renovation of the university library in Jyväskylä and alterations of the Arcanum premises at the University of Turku. The first renovation of the university library of Jyväskylä, built in 1974, was started in 2019, and it is scheduled for completion in the summer 2021. The library will be a flexible building that has several zones with various premises for different user profiles. For the new building, a BREAAM classification of Excellent will be applied for. The first phase of alterations to Arcanum of the University of Turku was also initiated last year. The goal is to gradually bring the entire Faculty of Humanities of the University of Turku under the same roof, when the Department of Chemistry moves to Aurum following its completion. The entire premises will be completed in early 2023.

Other significant projects initiated by us last year included the extension of Teacher Training School in Tampere, the ADP Street teaching premises and a new restaurant at the University of Oulu, as well as the roof maintenance and ventilation reform of the Snellmania building in Kuopio.

Maintenance

At the beginning of 2019, we initiated our needs-based maintenance project. We are modernising our activities compared with the current practices where maintenance activities are usually guided by maintenance calendars and maintenance intervals largely based on averages. Our project combines modern building automation and analytics. Our goal is a knowledge-based management model where we know significantly better than before what is happening with technology and the circumstances and are, therefore, able to correctly allocate the resources.

Our service providers have participated in the project in an exemplary manner. In cooperation with them, the project advanced to the pilot stage late last year. Our goal is to produce an implementation plan in 2020 on the basis of the pilot results, taking into account the different campuses and their different technical statuses.

Last year, we also initiated a development project regarding demand response for electricity as part of our intelligent energy procurement. As the renewable weather-dependent forms of power generation, such as wind and solar power, become more commonplace, the changing  weather conditions cause frequency fluctuations in the national grid. The goal of our project is to level the frequency fluctuations, naturally without compromising the conditions in the properties. A subtle optimisation of controls will allow the increasing use of renewable energy sources in power generation and reduce the carbon footprint in the national grid.

The project regarding demand response for electricity progressed last year from plans to survey rounds, most of which were also completed last year. The actual connection of technological equipment is to be completed in 2020.

The buildings’ energy and water consumption and emissions 2015–2019

Recycled waste accounted for 50.7% of all waste. Recycled waste includes: biowaste, paperboard, paper, glass, metal and cardboard.

Waste and recycling 2016–2019