Background
Härmämedi is an occupational healthcare provider founded in 2012, operating in the Kauhava and Nurmo regions of Finland. The company serves over 800 corporate clients and approximately 8,000 individual patients. At the Nurmo location, occupational healthcare services are provided to personnel working at Atria’s food production facility.
The Challenge
At the Nurmo occupational health unit, there was a need to improve space efficiency by creating three consultation rooms for physicians. The available space was a former gym hall, and Härmämedi did not want to make permanent structural alterations to the premises.
As a tenant, it was essential to preserve the original condition of the space and ensure that it could be restored if needed. At the same time, the solution had to be relocatable and meet strict requirements for confidentiality, sound insulation, indoor air quality, and access to running water for medical use.
The Solution: Three Soundproof Healthcare Pods Without Structural Changes
The chosen solution was to install three Vetrospace XXL modules, functioning as soundproof healthcare pods and consultation rooms. The units were placed inside the existing gym hall, forming a calm and functional environment without permanent modifications to the building.
Each module includes three solid walls and one glazed wall facing the internal corridor. For privacy, the glass surfaces were fitted with film. The rooms were furnished and additional features like electric locks, water points and traffic light indicators requested by the physicians were integrated as part of the final setup.
Because the spaces are used for occupational healthcare, special attention was given to air quality and hygiene. The Vetrospace pods were equipped with HEPA H13 filters, which purify incoming air, as well as antimicrobial blue light (aBL) that disinfects surfaces when the space is not in use. This ensures a hygienic environment suitable for medical consultations and procedures.
The installation was completed according to schedule and without disruption. Coordination with plumbing contractors went smoothly, and all required technical integrations were executed as planned.
Benefits: A Cost-Effective Solution for Demanding Healthcare Use
Occupational healthcare consultation rooms require a high level of confidentiality, excellent sound insulation, and good indoor air quality. The alternative would have been to construct three permanent rooms within the gym hall through structural alterations.
In daily use, the solution has performed extremely well. Conversations do not carry into the corridor, nor between adjacent modules. Physicians have described the rooms as comfortable and acoustically pleasant. Ventilation has received particular praise, and the indoor air quality has been experienced as fresh and stable throughout the full working day, supporting both concentration and smooth patient interactions.
Securing the Investment in Leased Premises
Operating in leased premises played a significant role in the decision-making process. The solution needed to avoid permanent structural impact and minimize risk to the property.
The relocatable nature of the modules adds long-term flexibility. If operational needs change, the units can be moved within the facility or transferred to a new location. This ensures that the investment retains its value and adapts to evolving business requirements.
A Practical Solution for Everyday Clinical Work
Today, the modules are in active use as physicians’ consultation rooms at the Nurmo occupational health unit. The solution has become a natural part of daily operations and supports both functional efficiency and business objectives.
