ETS NORD's Recair Air Handling Units Ensure the Indoor Air Quality of the Ateneum Art Museum

The central focus of the Ateneum Art Museum’s renovation was the renewal of its air handling units. The main goal was to modernize the system to be more energy-efficient and to meet the indoor air quality standards essential for preserving valuable artworks.

Jari Pussinen, project manager at Boctok Oy—the HVAC project management contractor responsible for design oversight and on-site installations—explains that one of the biggest challenges of this complex project was the careful coordination of multiple plans.

“The desired outcome required that every element fit precisely in its designated place. Specific humidity and temperature requirements added further demands to an already challenging project,” Pussinen notes.

Early in the design phase, it became evident that standard factory-made air handling units would not be suitable for Ateneum; instead, highly customized installations would be needed. This impacted both the specifications in the request for proposals and narrowed the pool of companies able to meet these unique requirements. The team also anticipated that staying on schedule would place high demands on the equipment supplier.

Although Pussinen had no prior experience with Recair’s equipment, ETS NORD was a familiar company, particularly in its role as a ventilation duct manufacturer. Based on the proposal requirements, ETS NORD was selected as the air handling unit supplier for Ateneum.

In total, ETS NORD delivered 37 secondary processing units.

“The primary role of the units is ventilation, but they also manage a complex air handling process,” explains Jarkko Salo, ETS NORD’s Product Group Manager for Recair air handling units and the project manager. “In the air handling process, chemical filters ensure the air quality required for the artworks. Indoor humidity is managed through humidification and dehumidification, while energy efficiency is supported by rotors that transfer moisture effectively and using recirculated air.”

Salo adds that unit-specific control sub-centers were pre-installed and tested in the factory to ensure the adjustment processes could be verified early in collaboration with other parties.

“These air handling units were almost entirely customized to meet the site’s unique requirements. This required active communication and collaboration with all parties involved, and I’d like to give special recognition to our partners on this project. This project also advanced the development of our design software, enhancing support for future air handling projects in similar venues.”

Alongside the secondary processing units, ETS NORD supplied custom-designed, prefabricated components for two large pre-processing units built into stationary chambers.

Pussinen reports that collaboration with ETS NORD went smoothly, with no significant setbacks. In complex projects of this scale, unexpected issues and schedule changes are inevitable. What matters is not if a company makes a mistake but how effectively the situation is managed and resolved moving forward. Flexibility and initiative are vital in creating added value.

“ETS NORD provided exceptionally good service under tight circumstances. In case of any uncertainties, response times were quick, with someone coming the next day to verify that everything was in order. In the evenings, designers finalized unit dimensions to ensure smooth installation in the morning. It couldn’t have gone better.”

Picture: Hannu Pakarinen