The site comprises six detached houses, each with four bedrooms, as well as a shared service building equipped with a sauna and a gym for employees. The houses were supplied by HAWO. The accommodation was taken into use in mid-December and is intended for Tapojärvi employees working at the site.
According to Tapojärvi’s Property Engineer, Eveliina Rousu, the project is a pilot that will be evaluated alongside the company’s other site accommodation solutions.
“This is a new model for us. The houses are relocatable and can be moved if the service contract or the need for accommodation in Kittilä comes to an end,” Rousu explains.
Site accommodation right next to the mine
Previously, Tapojärvi employees working in Kittilä were housed several tens of kilometres away from the mine. Long daily commutes extended the working day and increased time spent driving.
From the new accommodation, the distance to the mine gate is approximately 800 metres, and the roadside sign directing traffic to the mine is visible from the house windows. The aim of the solution is to reduce daily travel between accommodation and the worksite.
“Location was a key starting point for this project. Nearby accommodation reduces daily travel and makes everyday life easier,” says Rousu.
Small houses that move with the worksites
The Kittilä site accommodation consists of small detached houses designed for longer work rotations. Each house includes four bedrooms, a kitchen and living area, a shower, two toilets, and a washer-dryer unit. The houses are furnished and intended for shared use by employees in accordance with shift arrangements.
The relocatability of the buildings adds flexibility to the lifecycle of the properties. Rather than being permanently tied to a single location, the houses can later be utilised at other sites.
Part of a broader investment programme
The Kittilä project is part of Tapojärvi’s recent investments in construction and property, aimed at responding to a growing workforce and the needs of long-term worksites in different locations.
Tapojärvi’s Business Controller, Tuomas Tapojärvi, emphasises that future usability is a key consideration in property investments.
“When we invest in properties, location is critical. The accommodation must be situated in an area where it can, if necessary, be sold or rented out in the future,” Tapojärvi notes.
The experiences gained from the relocatable housing concept in Kittilä will be used as Tapojärvi evaluates future site accommodation solutions at its various locations.
Tapojärvi provides site accommodation at several locations in Finland and abroad. The accommodation is shared by employees and arranged in accordance with shift systems.
Site accommodation solutions vary depending on the project. Options include rental apartments, properties owned by Tapojärvi Oy or Tapojärvi Kiinteistöt Oy, as well as relocatable buildings.
Investment decisions take into account the duration of the project, the number of employees, and the location of the worksite.
The use of site accommodation is free of charge for employees, and shared rules apply in all accommodations. Residents are responsible for their personal belongings and basic day-to-day cleanliness during the workweek. Basic cleaning is carried out on shift changeover days.
Attention is also paid to energy and water consumption. The aim is to reduce unnecessary use and manage resources responsibly across all Tapojärvi properties.
