What direction will Ark-byroo take under its new Managing Director? In this interview, Jenny Heikinheimo shares her views on leadership, working in a family business, and the transformation of the construction sector – as well as the opportunities she is keen to pursue in her new role.
What sparked your interest in leading the family business?
Operational work began to appeal to me because it is where you can most concretely influence a company’s direction and everyday practices. I have been actively involved in Ark-byroo’s board for seven years, starting during my student years. I represent a different background and a younger generation – and only later did I fully realise that this is not a challenge but a clear strength in business.
My mother founded Ark-byroo, and architecture has been part of my life since childhood. At a certain point, I felt it was necessary to make a conscious decision about the level of involvement and influence I wanted in the family business. Ark-byroo has become a natural part of my everyday life and identity, and taking on an operational role felt both meaningful and correct.
The past two years as Deputy Managing Director have provided a strong foundation for this moment and the opportunity to work closely with my family members. As Managing Director, my focus will shift more clearly outwards – towards partnerships, networks and the deliberate pursuit of growth. Five years ago, I would not have seen myself in this role, but today, taking on this responsibility feels genuinely motivating. I am particularly driven by the creative industries and the ambition to build a client-oriented, sustainable future.
You represent a younger generation of business leaders, and your academic background is in business studies. What perspective do you want to bring to leadership?
Within the construction sector, it is widely recognised that change is unavoidable. Productivity has not increased for decades, and businesses can no longer be run on traditional structures and operating models. Yet architectural and engineering practices still make relatively little use of commercial expertise.
My background in business studies brings a perspective to an architectural practice where design work is supported by clear structures, timely decision-making and more conscious leadership. Through my own example, I want to help move the sector forward and demonstrate that a different background in management can naturally complement strong design expertise.
What is your vision for Ark-byroo’s strengths and future development?
My background in business innovation and service development gives me an analytical foundation for leadership. Still, I see leadership first and foremost as guiding people and enabling a smooth, everyday working environment. Good structures and clear ways of working are not ends in themselves – they are tools to support creative work and to motivate the team. Without a functional everyday reality, quality cannot emerge.
I want to develop Ark-byroo’s services together with our employees and clients, and to strengthen our position as a multidisciplinary practice. I see significant potential for Ark-byroo to evolve from a provider of design and research services into an expert and partner in refurbishment and renovation projects. The interface between the creative industries and business, as well as the role of design thinking in service development and in expanding the architect’s role into a more holistic service, are central to my thinking.
You have studied and worked in the Netherlands within the construction sector. How do you see the current situation and future opportunities?
I consider digitalisation crucial to accelerating the circular economy in the construction sector. I studied digital business and firmly believe that without data and transparent processes, the circular economy cannot scale.
In Finland, the built environment accounts for approximately one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, placing the construction sector at the heart of climate action while also opening up significant opportunities. For my generation, environmental considerations are a given. Impacts must be measured, understood and reduced.
I lived in the Netherlands for five years, where circular construction and digitalization are more advanced than in Finland. While working as an innovation consultant, I collaborated closely with industry frontrunners such as Wienerberger. I saw firsthand how digital solutions, material flow management and proactive product development created new business opportunities even before regulation made them mandatory. At Ark-byroo, we apply the same thinking by developing services that extend building lifecycles and enable more reliable management of environmental impacts.
The Managing Director role requires strong commitment and often an intense work rhythm. How do you take care of your own well-being?
By nature, I am an extrovert and gain energy from meeting people. My calendar always includes time with family, friends, and professional networks – space for both everyday encounters and more celebratory moments. I also look after my well-being through exercise. HIIT sports and running help me switch off from work and recover.