The 2018 Wood Award goes to Tuupala primary school and day-care centre, with Antti Karsikas of alt Architects Oy and Martti Karsikas of Arkkitehtitoimisto Karsikas Oy were responsible for the project’s architectural design.

The jury made the following statement in awarding the prize:

“The Tuupala primary school and day-care centre in Kuhmo is the first school and day-care centre building in Finland built using CLT. The powerful design makes for a memorable building with a distinct identity. The high ceilings and the foyers tucked underneath them give the building its unique look and make it easy to use. Visitors can easily recognize the design no matter where they are in the building. The beautiful gymnasium also serves as the concert hall for the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival. The feel of wood is very much present in the building, both outside and inside.

The fact that the building was constructed with such excellent results by local professionals is a fine example of Finnish expertise in construction. The transparent communication about the project, both during construction and after completion, has been exemplary. The project can in many ways be considered a successful pioneer and promoter of wood construction in public buildings.”

The following parties took part in the implementation of the winner:

• Developer/client: City of Kuhmo, Project Manager Markku Pääkkönen
• Architectural design: alt Architects Oy / Antti Karsikas
• Main design: Arkkitehtitoimisto Karsikas Oy / Martti Karsikas
• Structural design: Suunnittelu Laukka Oy / Heikki Ainasoja
• Contractor: Rakennusliike Kuoma Oy, Site Foreman Mauri Pulkkinen
• Wood component suppliers: Keminmaan Puurakenne Oy, Kuhmon AA-Puu Oy, Oy CrossLam Kuhmo Ltd, Versowood Oy

In the public vote a record number of votes

A public vote conducted alongside the Wood Award competition. There were a record-breaking total of votes given this year, almost 14,000 votes. Top three received over 70 percent of the votes.
The competition between the top three was even.

The Tuupala primary school and day-care centre won the public vote by 27 percent of the votes cast. For the second place public voted Mehtimäki multipurpose stadium / Arkkitehtitoimisto Lappalainen & Korjonen Oy, which was given 26 percent of the votes. On the third place was Pro Nemus -visitor centre / UKI Arkkitehdit Oy with 20 percent of the votes.

The 2018 candidates

A total of 21 proposals were received by the end of the submission period. The screening panel selected 20 candidates to compete for the Puupalkinto award and the public vote. These entries represent a very extensive range of the use of wood in construction. The competition jury considered the entries to be of very high quality.

Further information:
Mayor Tytti Määttä, City of Kuhmo, tel. +358 (0)44 725 5220, tytti.maatta@kuhmo.fi

Background to the 21st Wood Award

The Wood Award is handed out every year as an encouragement to a building, decoration or structure that represents high-quality, Finnish architecture or in which wood has been used in a way that improves construction technology.  The Wood Award has been given out since 1994. This marks the 21st award being presented. The award is granted by Puuinfo.

When selecting the winner, the jury pays special attention to the architectural quality of the site, the innovative nature of how wood is used and the overall attention attracted by the site.

The 2018 award’s jury included Puulehti’s editor-in-chief Mikko Viljakainen and Hilppa Iittiläinen and Kirsi Pellinen, who are members of Puulehti’s editorial board.

Previous winner of Wood Award: 

2017 Rest Area Niemenharju, Wood 1/17
2016 Pudasjärvi log campus, Wood 3/2016
2015 As Oy Jyväskylän Puukuokka 1, Jyväskylä, Wood 3/2015
2014 Gösta’s Pavilion at Serlachius Museums, Mänttä, Wood 3/2014
2013 Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre Espoo, Wood 3/2013
2012 PUUERA Wooden apartment building, Vierumäki, Wood 1/2012
2011 Metsähallitus office building and Science Centre Pilke, Rovaniemi, Wood 1/2011
2010 Luukku House, Aalto University’s Luukku team
2009 Building conservation centre at the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, Helsinki, Wood 1/10
2008 Reconstruction of Porvoo Cathedral, Wood 1/07 and 3/08
2007 House Kotilo, Espoo, Wood 3/06 and 2/07
2006 Office building FMO Tapiola, Espoo, Wood 4/05 and 3/06
2005 Metla building, Joensuu, Wood 1/05 ja 3/05
2004 Laajasalo Church, Helsinki, Wood 1/04 and 3/04, and the Aurinkorinne wooden house area, Espoo, Wood 3/04
2003 Wooden Linnanmaa area, Oulu, Wood 2/03
2002 Kierikki Centre, Yli-Ii, Puu 2/02; and Sibelius Hall, Lahti, Wood 1/00 and 3/00
2000 Vihantasalmi bridge, Mäntyharju, Wood 2/00
1998 Viikki wooden apartment building area, Helsinki, Wood 3/97
1996 Camping site reception building, Taivalkoski, Wood 2/95
1994 Metsola lower comprehensive school, Helsinki