The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki dedicated the Innovation Center on February 26, 2013 in a ceremony with former Ambassador Bruce J. Oreck and President Sauli Niinistö. This U.S. investment remains a strong statement of America’s deep and lasting relationship with Finland. Activities supported by the Innovation Center focus on strengthening the relationship between the United States and Finland. Located in one of Helsinki’s most beautiful locations with a sweeping view of the Baltic and Suomenlinna, the facility often serves as a venue for a wide range of public programming.

The Innovation Center is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified overseas U.S. diplomatic facility. The Center was designed to reduce water consumption by 30% and energy costs by 46% and is the first U.S. diplomatic building to be lit with 100% daylight dimming, Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Organic LED (OLED) for interior and exterior lighting. A significant amount of the chilled water is sourced directly from the Gulf of Finland, utilizing a local, natural resource while reducing cost and greenhouse gas emissions. The Embassy continues to take additional steps to increase energy efficiency and shrink its carbon footprint. For example, in 2018 the U.S. Embassy became the first diplomatic facility in Helsinki to switch to bio fuel. According to local energy supply company Helen, this switch to bio fuel reduces CO2 emissions by an amount equivalent to the annual output of 99 cars.