What does a lead designer do in a renovation?

The lead designer coordinates the work of architects, structural and MEP engineers, ensuring that the design as a whole meets the client's goals and regulatory requirements. In Finland a FISE qualification is mandatory for demanding projects.

FISE AA (exceptionally demanding) is the highest Finnish designer qualification, required for the most demanding renovation projects such as plumbing renovations, facade renovations and change-of-use projects.

Does a housing-company renovation need an architect?

Plumbing renovations, facade renovations and change-of-use projects require both an architect and a lead designer, who manage the design and the permit process.

Renovation — OSUMA Architects | Lead design, FISE AA

Our Services

OSUMA specializes in architectural and principal design for renovation projects that require deep understanding of building history, authority cooperation and strong experience with demanding projects. We serve as a design partner for property managers, housing companies and public clients throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Plumbing renovations
Facade renovations
Courtyards and common areas
Change-of-use projects
Schools and daycare centres
Libraries and cultural spaces

Why OSUMA

Our principal architect Aki Hiltunen has over 25 years of experience with renovation projects for residential buildings, libraries, theatres, schools and daycare centres — for both private and public clients. This combination ensures that demanding renovation projects move forward in a controlled manner, with clear authority milestones and predictable costs.

As principal designer we take responsibility for the design as a whole, coordinate the work of structural and MEP engineers and ensure that the outcome meets the client's goals and regulatory requirements.

References

Housing Cooperatives — Pipe Renovations & Building Upgrades

2016 Lauttasaari, Helsinki — Plumbing renovation and common-area alterations for two apartment buildings
2016 Tampere, Tesoma — Project plan for a plumbing renovation of three residential buildings
2015 Etu-Töölö, Helsinki — Apartment building plumbing renovation and common-area alterations
2015 Etu-Töölö, Helsinki — Apartment building plumbing renovation and common-area alterations
2015 Kulosaari, Helsinki — Project and implementation plans for a housing-company plumbing renovation
2015 Pasila, Helsinki — Attic-floor alterations, plumbing renovation and new street-level apartments
2015 Puotinharju, Helsinki — Plumbing renovation and housing-company common-area alterations
2015 Malmi, Helsinki — Courtyard alterations for an apartment building
2013 Kallio, Helsinki — Apartment building plumbing renovation and common-area alterations
2013 Lauttasaari, Helsinki — Apartment building window and facade renovation
2012 Haaga, Helsinki — Housing-company facade and window alterations
2018 Punavuori, Helsinki — Balcony design for an apartment building
2010 Suomenoja, Espoo — Housing-company common-area alterations

Public Buildings — Schools, Libraries, Daycare Centres

Libraries (renovations and alterations)

2025 Kauniainen — Kauniainen Library renovation
2020 Tikkurila, Vantaa — Tikkurila Library renovation and furniture design
2019 Kauniainen — Kauniainen Library alterations, interior and furniture design
2019 Koivukylä, Vantaa — Koivukylä Library alterations, interior and furniture
2018 Myyrmäki, Vantaa — Myyrmäki Library renovation, spatial, interior and furniture design
2018 Tikkurila, Vantaa — Tikkurila Library children's and youth section alterations
2018 Korso, Vantaa — Lumo Library interior and furniture design

Schools

2024 Vantaa, Hiekkaharju — Hiekkaharju School alterations
2024 Vantaa, Virtatie — Vaskivuori School alterations
2023 Vantaa, Ilola — Ilola School alterations, 3300 m² gross
2015 Pähkinärinne, Vantaa — Pähkinärinne School renovation, spatial and facade alterations

Daycare centres and child health clinics

2016 Kannisto, Vantaa — Husaaritie child health clinic and daycare alterations
2016 Martinlaakso, Vantaa — Raikupolku daycare alterations
2014 Vantaanlaakso, Vantaa — Vantaanlaakso daycare renovation
2014 Nissas, Vantaa — Nissas child health clinic and daycare alterations
2015 Kivistö, Vantaa — Kivistö temporary daycare centre

Other public projects

2020 Tikkurila, Vantaa — Kuusela family rehabilitation centre renovation, accommodation and common areas
2024 Helsinki — Dance Institute customer-area alterations
2010 Ullanlinna, Helsinki — KOM Theatre renovation

Change of Use & Heritage Buildings

2022 Hanko Old Railway Station — Change of use for a protected heritage building, new accommodation and commercial spaces, approx. 1400 m² gross
2023 Hanko, Vuorikatu — Change of use of the top floor to residential, with new balconies
2023 Hanko — Hanko Municipal Office Building alterations and feasibility study for a change of use
2022 Kotka — Alterations to a 1920s heritage building, Tullimiestentalo (Customs Officers' House)
2006 Tapiola, Espoo — Alterations to an apartment building designed by Aulis Blomstedt
2017 + 2016 + 2012 + 2010 Helsinki — Four attic-construction feasibility studies (Töölö, Hermanni, Ullanlinna)
2024 Helsinki, Punavuori — Commercial-space alterations, interior concept and renovation, 70 m²

Architectural Design for Renovation Projects