Helsinki’s skyline just welcomed its bold new neighbour. Bob W Helsinki Kamppi is now officially open — and to celebrate, we’ve unveiled the Sauna Lounge by Iittala & Bob W. Perched high above the city, this rooftop retreat blends Finland’s most iconic design brand with the timeless ritual of the sauna, creating a space where heritage glassware meets sweeping views and warm Finnish pine.

The story of Bob W Helsinki Kamppi starts back in the 1970s, when the building first rose as a modern office block. Instead of tearing it down, we partnered with Slättö and Avarrus Architects to breathe new life into its brutalist bones, avoiding more than half the carbon emissions of a new build in the process. Together with KOKO3, one of Helsinki’s most celebrated design studios, we shaped a new identity for the building that honours its raw concrete ceilings and bold 70s character while layering in tactile walnut, shaggy textures, and a colour palette inspired by the streets of Kamppi itself. The result: a striking aparthotel with 99 studios and one-bedroom apartments, designed for stays that last a night, a week, or longer.

Step inside and you’ll find stories woven into every detail. The beds are made by Matri, a Finnish family brand whose solar-powered factory is entirely energy self-sufficient. The coffee cups in your kitchen are crafted by Tero Kuitunen, a local designer known for his playful use of colour and form. Pendant lights designed by Matti Syrjälä for Innolux cast a soft, diffused glow, while the Moderno chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro — a true icon of Finnish design — appears throughout in both vintage originals and freshly made pieces from Lepo Product, bridging decades of design heritage. Sofas by Ikimakee add flexibility and comfort to the rooms, with their handmade, modular design built in Helsinki metropolitan area.

Textiles in the apartments come from Annala, Finland’s last remaining upholstery fabric mill. For Kamppi, Annala created custom fabrics together with KOKO3, weaving contemporary design into a tradition that has been carried forward by the same family for four generations.

And then there’s the rooftop. In collaboration with Iittala, we’ve created the Sauna Lounge by Iittala & Bob W — a space unlike any other. Here, Iittala’s glass classics sit side by side with their newest range, curated especially for Kamppi. Sculptural furniture by Vaarnii adds to the experience — crafted entirely from sustainably harvested Finnish pine. Vaarnii’s philosophy is radical in its simplicity: one raw material, worked by local craftspeople, into unapologetically bold forms. The result is furniture that’s heavy, honest, and deeply Finnish. Anchoring the lounge are Nordic-designed sofas from Hem, adding contemporary Scandinavian elegance alongside modular pieces, rugs, and Iittala’s timeless glassware.

For locals, it’s a fresh kind of gathering spot. For travellers, it’s a window into Finland’s design legacy — where every piece, from custom-woven fabrics to pine furniture, tells a story of craft, sustainability, and continuity. And for life’s everyday needs? Bob W Helsinki Kamppi also houses a washateria and a pantry stocked with essentials, so you’re covered whether you’re in town for a night or settling in for weeks.

Now that we’re open, this isn’t just a design story — it’s yours to experience. Guests staying at Bob W Helsinki Kamppi can book sauna shifts during their stay. And if you’re local? The Sauna Lounge by Iittala & Bob W is available for private events, whether that’s a team offsite or an evening with friends above the city.