Helsinki-based design agency Fyra has reimagined the public spaces at Scandic Pohjanhovi, an icon of northern functionalism in the heart of Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.

The scope of the project spanned the lobby, restaurant and bar, as well as the gym and conference rooms.

Guided by the hotel’s original identity, the redesign process involved removing the layers developed over time and introducing a new understated elegance. Original features that speak to the building’s functionalist identity, such as the lobby floors, counter and the pillars of the restaurant, were revealed and preserved. Existing wall lamps were restored and repositioned to suit the renewed spatial rhythm. New elements were selected with longevity in mind, inspired by the muted tones of Lapland’s autumn and grounded in the generous use of wood.

From its riverside location, the hotel connects guests effortlessly to the city and the surrounding nature. The redesign reflects Nordic heritage through thoughtful solutions: spaces that feel grounded, warm and distinctly northern.