Icopal behind the Roof of the Year in Finland

Accolades to Icopal for high quality in a major complex roofing contract

March 2003

There was no doubt whatsoever among the panel of judges when the Finnish roofing sector selected the Roof of the Year in Finland 2002. The 42,300 m2 roofing complex on the shopping centre at Iso Omena – “The Big Apple Centre” – in the Helsinki suburb of Espoo stands out not only because of its size and complexity but also due to the consistently high quality of technical and architectural aspects as well as craftsmanship. At the same time, a unanimous panel of judges agreed that the roofing contract was carried out in an exceptional collaborative venture between various suppliers and under a considerable time constraint.

This year’s Finnish roofing prize goes to the owner of the building, but the honour reflects equally on the architects and on Icopal’s Finnish roofing contracting company, Icopal Etelä-Suomi Oy, the main contractor for this roofing solution.

Iso Omena is one of the largest roofing projects ever undertaken in Finland. The roof consists of a number of different roofing and construction solutions, small courtyards, play areas, gardens and a mini-golf course. Especially distinctive are the wave-shaped light panels that maximise the daylight channelled into the centre. All surfaces, horizontal and angled, are sealed with waterproof bitumen membranes produced by Icopal in Finland.

The roofing work at Iso Omena required considerable resources from all those involved. During the busiest periods, more than 50 roofers were at work simultaneously. The Iso Omena roofing contract accounted for almost one-third of Icopal Etelä-Suomi’s total turnover in 2001.

“The Big Apple” accommodates several hundred shops, numerous restaurants, homes, offices, a library, a cinema and even a little church. Around the centre, there are 2,200 parking spaces.

Iso Omena is the fifth construction project to be honoured with the title of “Roof of the Year” in Finland.