HUS Tammisairaala

The Facade as a Point of Reference – Art, Architecture, and Function in Harmony

The HUS Tammisairaala in Helsinki is a healthcare facility that combines architectural precision with artistic design. The building, which specializes in ophthalmology, demonstrates how a facade can have an impact far beyond its structural function—as an identity-defining element and an integral part of the user experience.

Art as Part of Architecture
The decision to integrate artistic elements into the façade design was made as early as the permitting process. The resulting concept specifically addresses the needs of people with visual impairments. The themes of city, sea, and nature form the basis for a visual language that provides orientation while simultaneously conveying a calm, pleasant atmosphere. Artist Tuula Lehtinen’s design translates these requirements into large-scale mosaic works that extend across the facades of three building sections. Using nuanced shades of red, blue, and green, clear, recognizable visual worlds emerge that structure the building and intuitively guide users through the structure.

Materiality as the foundation of design
The mosaics were realized using ceramic facade panels from the KeraTwin® system, installed with the Omega K20 fastening system. A total of approximately 1,800 m² of facade surface was designed. The combination of two formats – 30 × 30 cm and 30 × 90 cm – as well as 29 different colors ö allows for a precise rendering of the motifs and gives the facades a lively yet controlled structure. The ceramic elements not only meet design requirements but also high standards for durability, weather resistance, and ease of maintenance—key aspects in the context of a public building.

Architecture in the Context of Use
The design by UKI Architects in collaboration with Tähti-Set Architects combines functional clarity with a sensitive approach to the user experience. The facade art is not viewed as an additive layer, but rather as an integral part of the architecture that equally supports orientation, identity, and atmosphere.

A building with added value
The Tammisairaala serves as an example of how architecture, art, and materiality can be brought together into a holistic concept. The facades play an active role in the building—they structure, guide, and create identity. Thus, a functional healthcare building becomes a place with a special quality: precisely planned, sustainably implemented, and designed with people at the center.