Apulanta Oy to save a historic engineering house in Tampere

Apulanta, one of Finland's best-known rock bands, is also saving old properties. The band's drummer, Sipe Santapukki, is known not only for his musical career but also for his active role in these restoration projects.The valuable property, originally built as a factory engineering house in Niemenranta, Tampere, is the latest addition to Apulanta Oy's portfolio. Santapukki tells the story of the property's rich history, from factory farms and animal farms to a clubhouse.

"The building is one of the first in Niemenranta and served the factory for a long time. It later fell into disrepair and went through many owners," Santapukki . The property eventually became state-owned and was sold at auction, where Santapukki his company Apulanta Oy won the bidding competition.

Santapukki, who knows Tampere well, had been following the property's situation for a long time. "It was annoying when it slipped through our fingers at first. But in the end, we managed to buy it and started an extensive renovation project," he says happily.

The project has required a lot of work, as the building was in poor condition. "It's a shame that such a significant building was allowed to fall into disrepair. Fortunately, we have now restored it to good condition," Santapukki proudly.

The property was designed by Birger Federley, a locally renowned architect, which adds to its cultural and historical value. Santapukki and his team will continue to work to restore the building to its former glory and preserve it for future generations.

Apulanta selected Siparila products for Tampere restoration project

Sipe Santapukki and his team's commitment to quality and domestic production is also reflected in their choice of building materials. For the Niemenranta project in Tampere, they have decided to use Siparila products, which are known for their high quality and domestic manufacturing. Santapukki that "you can't use just anything in a renovation; you need the best quality and, preferably, locally sourced materials."

The project involved restoring old decorations and facades, but also renovating damaged structures. “Not all of the original moldings have been preserved, or they have been in too poor condition. Siparila found suitable profiles that respect the historical appearance of the building," Santapukki .

Cooperation with Siparila has been excellent. "Deliveries arrive on time and in the right quantities, which is vital in construction projects," he says. This seamless cooperation has helped the project to progress smoothly, avoiding delays and cost increases.

Santapukki it particularly important that the materials used are in keeping with the historical value of the property. The quality and design of Siparila's products support this goal. "These are not standard hardware store moldings, but special profiles that meet the requirements of the era," he emphasizes.

Sustainability and environmental friendliness are also key criteria in material selection. "It is important that the materials are domestic and their environmental impact is minimal. This local focus is similar to that applied to food—even if it is not organic, local production is the most environmentally sustainable solution," Santapukki .

Visuals and details with Siparila products in this project

Visuality and details are key elements in the project. Sipe Santapukki how the height of the space determined the use of wide moldings and the choice of special profiles. "Design is not my field, but experience has taught me to recognize what suits a historical environment. Exclusivity and product quality are key," Santapukki .

When talking about future projects and the use of Siparila products, Santapukki confident. "The experience of this project has shown that when everything goes well, there is no reason to change a concept that works. Sustainability and quality are the deciding factors," he says.

Personally, Santapukki particularly impressed by Siparila's silver-toned panels and special wood panels, which he has used in his own home. "With a simple solution, we have achieved stunning effects. Even professionals have praised these choices," he says happily.

Finally, when asked who he would recommend Siparila to, his answer is clear: “Anyone who is renovating or building something new. There is no project that does not at some point require high-quality moldings, accent walls, or exterior or interior cladding made from Finnish wood.”

This project in Tampere shows how carefully chosen details and the right partners can revitalise and respect a historic building, while bringing modern quality and sustainability. The work of Santapuk and his team continues, and their passion for saving old buildings remains as strong as their commitment to quality and respect for the environment.

Siparila products:

KINOS-base / coverboard-/base / coverboard: https://www.siparila.com/tuote/kinos - base / coverboard- base / coverboard/

SOLA interior design panel: https://www.siparila.com/tuote/sola-sisustuspaneeli/