“This turned out pretty cool” – new Tampere TEK Lounge has opened

Translation: Apropos Lingua

Tampere is TEK’s fifth lounge project in a row. Other lounges have previously been built in Tampere, Lappeenranta and Turku. There is also one mobile pop-up lounge. The new lounge in Tampere has a generous area of 145 square metres.

Regional advisor of TEK in Tampere Jussi Nousiainen and designer Ilkka Palinperä talk about the lounge project and how it eventually turned out.

1. What were your goals when you first started designing the TEK Lounge in Tampere and did you achieve them?

Jussi: The goal was to create an inviting and credible event and remote working space for TEK members in the Tampere region. We organised workshops to find out what the members wanted. The old lounge was extremely popular, but it had become too small. Seeing people’s first reactions, the new lounge makes everyone’s eyes sparkle with excitement.

Ilkka: The keywords of the design were sustainability, technology and well-being. The idea is to serve members even better, for example by providing a space for working remotely and a quiet space. And we also found a place for a pull-up bar and office exercise equipment. The lounge turned out pretty cool!

2. What kind of project was Tampere Lounge?

Jussi: Difficult in the sense that the project had a huge number of moving parts. The level of ambition was high. We wanted the space to be as versatile, comfortable and functional as possible. In addition to these qualities, it had to be teekkari-proof, which was taken into account when choosing the materials.

Ilkka: TEK Lounge projects are interesting, complex interior design concepts. As the main designer of the project, I was given a free hand to focus creatively on functional goals and visual elements.

3. How long did the project take?

Jussi: We set out to learn what our members wanted back in December 2023 and the doors to the completed lounge opened 11 months later. The fixture contractor failed to deliver products on schedule, which meant we had to open later than planned. Nevertheless, the TEK Lounge is meant to be enjoyed by TEK members for many years to come.

4. Were there any surprises along the way?

Jussi: During the planning phase, our members exceeded my expectations. They were hoping for a retreat from the hectic pace of life. A space that was easy to visit, where they could ground themselves, focus and meet new people.

Ilkka: Every project has its own surprises. The challenges of this spatial design were associated with the various building services requirements, which required meticulous planning and problem solving together with all the partners.

5. What kind of place do you hope the lounge will become for students in Tampere and other users?

Jussi: I hope that the TEK Lounge will provide a setting for wonderful experiences: making friends, learning new things and creating shared experiences. I believe that many graduating students will have fond memories of the TEK Lounge and those who are already pursuing a career will return to the campus for TEK’s events and organise their own events there.

Ilkka: I hope that the Tampere Lounge will become a special meeting place where everyone is welcome. I hope that the space will also be used to organise meditation and relaxation sessions, for example.