Bulevardi 1 was previously a space occupied by a bank and insurance company, and it has since been completely remodeled by Saukkonen + Partners in Helsinki, Finland. The 2,368 square feet apartment now belongs to a young couple with busy careers, who wanted a modern home with a strong character.

The owners wanted a living space to reflect their contemporary lifestyle. According to the lead architect, the biggest challenge during the renovation was to remove the thick steel door of the bank. The process implied cutting it piece by piece. “We had to cut it up into small pieces so we could get it out. It was hard work. So big that we were considering letting it sit and use it actively in the interior design. But it would have a great look down the hall to the couple’s library, which is located in the former bank vault.”