Bulevardi 31 is a residential conversion in Kamppi, central Helsinki, Finland. The project comprises two former chemistry department buildings of the Helsinki University of Technology, now renovated as a 77-apartment Lumo rental property. The homes were scheduled for completion in November 2023; the project listing records the renovation year as 2023.1
The four-storey Old Chemistry building was constructed in 1899 as a chemistry laboratory and designed by architect Onni Tarjanne. The five-storey New Chemistry building followed in 1949, designed by Johan Sigfrid Sirén in a more restrained modernist style. Both architects also designed major Finnish landmarks: Tarjanne the National Theatre and Sirén the Parliament House.13
Before conversion, the buildings were used for teaching and office space by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Their renovation retained historic features and sought to preserve the buildings’ cultural and historical character while adapting them for housing.15 Apartment layouts range from studios to four-bedroom homes; some include balconies or attic terraces, and selected apartments have ceilings higher than four metres. Shared facilities include laundry and drying rooms, storage, a sauna, a communal work and meeting space, and a courtyard.1
The rental homes are offered under the Lumo name. A construction-project listing identifies Lumo Kodit Oy as the developer, L Arkkitehdit Oy as architect, and Jatke Toimitilat Oy as contractor; it records construction beginning in March 2022 and completion in September 2023.7 The conversion forms part of the wider redevelopment of former Metropolia properties acquired by Kojamo, which planned to turn most of them into Lumo rental apartments.611