The Senate Properties takes care of preserving the value of the properties in its possession in accordance with communally responsible principles of sustainable development.

The Senate Properties manages a large number of buildings of great architectural and cultural historic value. This building stock is at its best highly appreciated by its user organisations, reflecting and supporting their operations. The Senate Properties cares for the preservation of the architectural and cultural historic value of these buildings, and for their uninterrupted usability regarding their users’ needs. Continuous use provides the economic basis for the maintenance and renovation of all buildings.

Legislation, agreements and ways of operation

Some of the buildings of architectural and cultural historic value in the Senate Properties’ possession are protected under the Decree on the Protection of State-owned Buildings, some under the Act on the Protection of Buildings, and some are protected by respective town plans. Protection of valuable environments and buildings presently outside this legislation, such as those of the defence administration and prison system and later post-war buildings, shall be arranged by agreement with museum and environment authorities as well as by town planning work in co-operation with planning authorities.

Some of the buildings of architectural and cultural historic value in the Senate Properties’ possession are protected under the Decree on the Protection of State-owned Buildings, some under the Act on the Protection of Buildings, and some are protected by respective town plans. Protection of valuable environments and buildings presently outside this legislation, such as those of the defence administration and prison system and later post-war buildings, shall be arranged by agreement with museum and environment authorities as well as by town planning work in co-operation with planning authorities.

Guidelines for maintenance and renovation

Extra and variation work in areas of cultural historic value or near protected buildings is carried out with respect towards the protected buildings and their preservation. Maintenance and construction of yard areas and immediate surroundings is also done taking the protected buildings into account.

Selecting a new use for a protected building is done based on the building’s characteristics so the new use shall not compromise its protection value. New functions are adjusted to the old room layout and structural guidelines wherever possible.

Renovation of protected buildings aims to preserve as much of the existing building mass as possible. Building components are replaced only if the existing ones are beyond reasonable repair. Replacement components are primarily made after old models. Improvement upon existing systems is the starting point for the planning of mechanical and electrical services.

Selecting a new use for a protected building is done based on the building’s characteristics so the new use shall not compromise its protection value. New functions are adjusted to the old room layout and structural guidelines wherever possible.

Renovation of protected buildings aims to preserve as much of the existing building mass as possible. Building components are replaced only if the existing ones are beyond reasonable repair. Replacement components are primarily made after old models. Improvement upon existing systems is the starting point for the planning of mechanical and electrical services.

Economic basis

Continuous use of properties of architectural and cultural historic value provides a steady economic basis for their maintenance and renovation. The Senate Properties is mostly able to take care of the buildings of value that are in use by the same financial principles it applies to the rest of the building stock in its possession. Lease conditions for buildings of value are agreed upon individually for each case, taking into account the building’s spatial efficiency and other characteristics, as well as the user’s needs and potential. Properties left without a state-related user are sold according to handover principles agreed upon with environment authorities.