Samppa Lappalainen
Architect
I am an architect, leader, and expert with extensive experience in business leadership, strategy work, and the development of demanding urban and real estate projects. I combine creative and conceptual design thinking with strong commercial and strategic understanding, and I work comfortably in complex environments involving multiple stakeholders.
I have a solid background in organizational leadership, financial responsibility, company structures, and translating strategy into practice. I have worked as CEO, partner, and in board and advisory roles across different types of organizations from traditionally hierarchical structures to modern low-hierarchy and self-directed expert organizations. My leadership is guided by collaboration, trust, responsibility, and the strengthening of wellbeing and intrinsic motivation at work.
My core expertise includes leading demanding and complex projects, urban development and urban culture initiatives, and analyzing and commercializing real estate development potential. I have broad experience working in the roles of designer, client, developer, investor, and operator, as well as initiating and leading self-driven development projects. In my work, I combine conceptual design thinking with strong commercial and strategic insight.
I work naturally in board and executive team environments as well as in public expert roles. I am known for my ability to reconcile conflicting interests, build trust, and act in a solution-oriented way even in demanding and critical situations.
Alongside my professional work, I am an active keynote speaker, moderator, and media contributor, and I regularly host television and podcast shows focused on the built environment, sustainability, design, and leadership.
During my studies, I worked in offices focused on residential construction and high-quality architecture. In 2005, I founded my own architectural practice and worked for approximately eight years on residential, renovation, and development projects. After this, I moved into senior design and leadership roles at Optiplan Ltd (NCC Group, later Sweco) and at Nordic Urban Ltd, a company focused on urban culture and new urban and service concepts.
Between 2018 and 2026, I served as CEO of JKMM Architects Ltd, leading an expert organization of approximately 80–100 professionals. During my tenure, JKMM established its position as one of the most successful and respected architecture firms in Finland. As an architect and leader, I am inspired and guided by sustainability, the innovative reuse of the existing building stock, and the role of architecture and the built environment in creating resilient, healthy, and vibrant societies.
Tel. +358 50 364 5787