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AINS Group story

Over the decades, our growth has been driven by our dedication to quality work, our clients, and the development of engineering industry as a whole – along with numerous awards and recognitions.

AINS Group has evolved into a consultancy firm of international renown.

From a small engineering office to a consultancy firm of international renown

AINS Group (A-Insinöörit in Finland) has left its mark on the built environment for over six decades. Our story began in 1959, when two Finnish engineers from Tampere, Kalevi Ahonen and Pentti Palenius, set out to design better housing for people moving from the countryside to the cities.

Over the decades, we have grown from a local engineering office into a multidisciplinary consultancy of the 2020s, with technological expertise that ranks among the best both in Finland and internationally.

"Better housing for people moving from the countryside to the cities."

Today, our engineers, architects, and other experts support investors, builders, property developers, and housing companies in successfully delivering a wide range of projects in building construction, industry, and infrastructure. Our culture is still grounded in the values from our early years and in the desire to advance not only our company but the entire field of design and construction – together and for the better.

We may not be the largest in our field, but our goal is to offer the best partnership experience in the industry. We build this on two pillars: our deep expertise across disciplines, and our collaborative way of working – the AINS way to work.

Growth and recognition since 1959

The timeline features our award-winning projects and experts, as well as the prestigious architectural and engineering firms that have joined our Group along the way.

2025 – Awards and expansion into fire safety expertise

A-engineers will provide all the built environment design expertise for projects when the acquisition of the business of Markku Kauriala Oy, a fire engineering company, is completed.

  • Rose of Construction 2024: Maatull School
  • Environmental Structure of the Year 2024: Hatsinanpuisto
  • Turku Good Construction Award 2024: Runosmäki multi-purpose building Riimi

2024 – ONE Architects introduced

ONE Architects, one of the country's leading architectural brands, is born in Finland when B&M Architects, AW2 Architects and Konkret Architects merge and change their names.

ONE Architects will bring together the Group's architectural design services, and will operate alongside A-Insinieure as an independent brand.

  • Element Designer of the Year 2024: Jan-Erik Kivinen
  • Joonas Lehtovaara - Young RIL Member of the Year 2024.
  • EFCA Future Leaders 2024, Digital and New Technologies: Matias Hirvikoski

2023 – Strengthening the comprehensive service chain

Mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the architectural sector, strengthen A-Insinieure's grip on the market as a specialist in all areas of building design.

Architectural firm B&M - B&M, a large-scale, award-winning architectural firm, joins forces with AW2 and Konkret studios, and A-Insinieure, a group company, strengthens its architectural design services.

J. Sund - The strength of structural design in the capital region's building construction sector will be strengthened when the prestigious structural and prefabricated building design firm J. Sund joins forces with A-Insinööre.

Konkret - The acquisition brings together the architectural designers of Konkret and AW2 and brings additional architectural design expertise in-house, particularly in the areas of housing, renovation and urban planning.

Frontago - The addition of renovation design firm Frontago to our team brings new strength to renovation projects for housing associations in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

  • Young Consultant of the Year 2023: Sonja Laasonen
  • Tampere Good Construction Award 2023: Tays Adult Psychiatry ward building
  • Wood Award 2023: Monio High School and Cultural Centre, Tuusula
  • EFCA Future Leaders Competition 2023, Honourable Mention: Elli Kinnunen
  • Bridge of the Year 2023: Rokkiporkkana
  • Tekla BIM Awards 2023: Monio Tuusula
  • NCSC Awards 2023: Ratina Shopping Centre Tampere
  • Best Building in Northern Finland 2023: Oulu Courthouse
  • Good Construction Award 2023: Tays Adult Psychiatry New Building, Tampere
  • Viksu Kuopio -unnus: Savilahti Sports and Event Centre Luola

2022 – Growth through acquisitions and industry recognition

Several acquisitions will strengthen the various service areas.

Ponvia - The acquisition of Ponvia, an Oulu-based engineering company specialising in bridges and water and port structures, will strengthen the company's services in the field of urban planning.

GHS Group - The acquisition of the Helsinki-based GHS Group will expand building services to a nationwide scope.

Plaana - The merger with Plaana, a well-known Oulu-based environmental and infrastructure engineering specialist, will enable Plaana to grow into a nationwide infrastructure engineering partner.

Airlon and Silvea - The acquisition of the engineering company Airlon and Silvea expands the services of the Oulu economic region to include building services, HVAC and electrical engineering.

  • Developer Consultant of the Year 2022: Hannu-Pekka Seppänen.
  • Site of the Year 2022: Modern log school Monio, Tuusula.
  • Good Construction Award 2022: Lumipuu wooden apartment building, Tampere, Finland.
  • Wood Award 2022: Airport lobby loft, Helsinki Airport
  • LUCI Cities & Lighting Awards 2022: Tammerkoski landscape lighting
  • Best construction cooperation project in Eastern Finland: Riistavesi Local Service Centre
  • Jyrki Keinänen, Construction Engineer of the Year 2022

2021 – Expansion into architectural and building systems design

A-Insinieure's built environment service chain expands with several acquisitions.

AW2 Architects - The merger of AW2 Architects and A-Insinieure brings high quality architectural design to technical design and project management services.

AX-Suunnittelu - AX-Suunnittelu's solid building and industrial design expertise in Tampere lays the foundation for strategic expansion towards design services covering the entire construction value chain.

LiCon-AT - Founded in 2003, LiCon-AT, a consultancy specialising in outdoor and sports lighting, complements its urban planning services with award-winning expertise in outdoor lighting.

NL-Building Accounting - The combination of the expertise of NL-Building Accounting and A-Engineering Cost Accounting brings to the market a national partner for cost planning and life cycle management.

JM-Rakenne - The acquisition of JM-Rakenne in South Ostrobothnia strengthens the structural engineering business in Ostrobothnia.

Buildnet - With the acquisition of Buildnet, A-Insinöörit will start offering comprehensive renovation projects for housing companies in the Helsinki region, from project planning to implementation.

  • 2021 Outdoor Lighting Project of the Year.

2020 – Vaaka Partners joins to support growth and development

Finnish private equity investor Vaaka Partners will become a partner in the company.

  • Developer Consultant of the Year 2020: Mikko Mäläskä
  • Young Consultant of the Year 2020: Matias Hirvikoski
  • Tekia Global BIM Awards 2020: HUS Bridge Hospital
  • Successful construction project in cooperation, Eastern Finland 2020: renovation of the Kuopio Museum
  • Future Project Awards 2020: Garden Helsinki
  • Concrete Award, Honourable Mention
    2020: Haso Rantapuisto

2019 – 60th anniversary celebrations and top industry awards
  • RIL Award 2019: Lighthouse, Joensuu
  • Construction Site of the Year 2019: KYS Uusi Sydän -hospital
  • Wood of the Year Award 2019: Lighthouse, Joensuu.
  • Bridge of the Year 2019: Matinkartanon silta, Espoo
  • Good Construction Award, Turku 2019: Syvälahti Multipurpose Building
  • Best ARA Building of the Year 2019: Puukuokka 1-3, Jyväskylä
  • Architecture Finlandia Prize nomination: Kruunuvuorenranta Waste Collection Station, ONE Architects (formerly B&M Architects)

2018 – Joensuun Juva strengthens the presence in Eastern Finland

The acquisition of Juva in Joensuu and the structural engineering services in the office complements the Eastern Finland business that started in Kuopio in 2015.

  • World's Best Project (IPMA) 2018: the Tampere Tunnel
  • Tekla BIM Awards 2018: Luminary, Tampere
  • Construction Site of the Year 2018: Tripla
  • Renovation Site of the Year 2018: Olympic Stadium

2017 – Market leader in Northern Finland through Prodeco

The merger with Oulu-based Prodeco Oy brings strong project and construction management expertise in-house in Northern Finland.

  • Young Consultant of the Year: Ville Laine
  • Slush success 2017: Cityfier, Smart City Bizhack India
  • Project of the Year 2017: the Tampere Tunnel
  • Good Construction Award 2017, Tampere: Kuninkaankatu 22
  • Concrete of the Year 2017: Kruunuvuorenranta assembly station
  • Concrete facade of the year 2017: Kruunuvuorenranta assembly station

2016 – Awards and recognitions
  • RIL Award 2016: the Tampere Tunnel
  • Construction Site of the Year 2016: Naantali Power Plant
  • Tekla BIM Awards 2016: Just, Järvenpää
  • Renovation Site of the Year 2016: KOY Jämeränjälki
  • Concrete Structure of the Year 2016: As Oy Helsingin Viuhka (ONE Architects)
  • Nordic Built Cities Challenge Award 2016: Kera

2015 – Awards and recognitions
  • Young Consultant of the Year 2015: Unto Hartikainen
  • Site of the Year 2015: Koivusaari metro station
  • Tekla BIM Awards 2015: Isoisänsilta, Helsinki
  • Building Rose 2015: Meripavilijonki, Helsinki
  • Concrete Facade of the Year 2015: Kangasala House
  • Otto-Iivari Meurman Award 2015: B&M Architects (ONE Architects)

2014 – Saanio & Riekkola joins, bringing top-tier rock engineering expertise

The merger wih the prestigious Saanio & Riekkola Oy brings in-house top expertise in geo-, rock- and environmental engineering.

  • Young Consultant of the Year 2014: Jussi Vaiste

2011 – Entry into Satakunta through Porin Juva

With the acquisition of Juva in Pori, A-Insinöörit expands its services to Satakunta, and strengthens its expertise especially in the design of commercial, office and industrial projects.

2008 – Turun Juva and expansion into cost estimation

Turun Juvan joins the company through an acquisition and complements nationwide services in areas such as quantity surveying and cost accounting, as well as expert services for demanding industrial projects.

1986 – Expansion to Helsinki

The first acquisitions. A-Insinöörit expands its activities to the capital region in the form of a new subsidiary, Veikko Kilpeläinen Engineering.

1982 – New name: A-Insinöörit

Founding partner Kalevi Ahonen moves to social and municipal policy and the name of the office changed. A-Inisnöörit and its office in Tampere, already employs more than 50 experts.

1965 – Change in ownership: Ahonen-Ilveskoski continues

In the mid-1960s, more than 10 civil engineers are working in the firm.

Reino Ilveskoski, a graduate engineer, joins Kalevi Ahonen as the second partner. The  firm begins to use the convenient abbreviation AI, which becomes a permanent part of company's identity.

1959 – Engineering firm Ahonen-Palenius is founded

Kalevi Ahonen and Pentti Palenius, graduate engineers from Tampere, want to design better housing for people. The idea is to experiment as much as possible with prefabricated components in construction.

The construction boom followed by technological innovations and migration to cities sets the Ahonen-Palenius engineering firm on a path of growth.

Our projects on postage stamps

All references

  • Metso city library, Tampere

    Built in 1986, Metso, the internationally renowned Tampere main library, is an important feature of the local cityscape.

  • Tampere Hall, Tampere

    The project for extension and renovation of 1990’s Tampere Hall involved radical changes in the functions of this concert and congress centre.

  • Sibelius Hall, Lahti

    Sibelius Hall is a congress and music center that offers a wide range of cultural services.

  • Music Centre, Helsinki

    Helsinki’s Music Centre presented a unique and challenging project, even on a global level, and it required bold and skilled management operations.