International Award for Wood Architecture award aims to bring exceptional wooden architecture into the limelight, to enc... International Award for Wood Architecture award aims to bring exceptional wooden architecture into the limelight, to encourage innovation in design, and to unite countries in their common appreciation of wooden construction. Katajanokan Laituri is awarded the Wood Architecture Award by the international press at a wood construction event in Paris on February 27, 2025.In addition …

Katajanokan Laituri is awarded the Wood Architecture Award by the international press at a wood construction event in Pa... Katajanokan Laituri is awarded the Wood Architecture Award by the international press at a wood construction event in Paris on February 27, 2025. Katajanokan Laituri (Katajanokka Pier) is a solid wood office building in the Katajanokka district of central Helsinki. Designed by the architects at Anttinen Oiva and developed by the pension company Varma in …

Small project of the year 2024. Littow architectes and Majamaja has designed the Majamaja Off-Grid Village in Helsinki,... Small project of the year 2024. Littow architectes and Majamaja has designed the Majamaja Off-Grid Village in Helsinki, Finland. Majamaja Off-Grid Village is a collection of archipelago micro-homes operating 100% off-the-grid in the Helsinki archipelago, available for short-term rentals. The prefab wooden units are built around an internationally patented off-grid module.Majamaja’s water aut

Katajanokan Laituri (Katajanokka Pier) is a solid wood office building that is now part of Helsinki’s historic seaside.... Katajanokan Laituri (Katajanokka Pier) is a solid wood office building that is now part of Helsinki’s historic seaside. The architectural design is the handiwork of Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit Oy. This year’s winner was announced at the Puupäivä (Wood Day) event on November 6th. Katajanokka Pier aims to lead the way to a future where modern …

The Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network (CIMANET) is a doctoral education network that spans nine Finnish universities... The Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network (CIMANET) is a doctoral education network that spans nine Finnish universities. Coordinated by Aalto University, this multidisciplinary consortium provides funding to more than 60 PhD students with the aim of uncovering future industrial innovations and solutions. The good news for wood construction is that three interconnected doctoral projects at Tampere

Finnish material technology startup Fiberwood Oy has raised €7.7 million in growth funding from its existing investors,... Finnish material technology startup Fiberwood Oy has raised €7.7 million in growth funding from its existing investors, Metsä Spring and Stephen Industries, together with public financiers. Read the article in Finnish here. The company is developing foam-forming technology that uses leftovers from the forest industry and natural fibres to create breathable, recyclable, and compostable materials, &

– Finnische Holzarchitektur von Heute im Überblick In den alten Zeiten waren die Finnen in der Lage, ihre Häuser selbst... – Finnische Holzarchitektur von Heute im Überblick In den alten Zeiten waren die Finnen in der Lage, ihre Häuser selbst zu bauen. Die moderne,von der Digitalisierung und neuen industriellen Methoden unterstützte Holzarchitektursetzt aber auch ein neuartiges Können voraus. Architektin und Architekturjournalistin Tarja Nurmi berichtet über die aktuellen Trends der finnischen Holzarchitektur. Die Brü

For the sixth time since the award was launched in 2018, an international jury made up of editors from five magazines sp... For the sixth time since the award was launched in 2018, an international jury made up of editors from five magazines specialising in wooden construction met to select the project that best represented the year in European wood architecture. THE JURY The five editors of the magazines Lignum (Switzerland), Mikado (Germany), Puuinfo (Finland), Trä (Sweden), …

Together with Metsäkeskus, Puuinfo produces a series of videos and educational material that aims to dispel myths about... Together with Metsäkeskus, Puuinfo produces a series of videos and educational material that aims to dispel myths about the wood sector. The videos and the learning platform will be published in August 2024. The project is a part of Hiilestä kiinni complex funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Topics: The goal of the …

At the beginning of next year, a new construction law will enter into force, which will bring significant changes to the... At the beginning of next year, a new construction law will enter into force, which will bring significant changes to the implementation and tendering of construction projects. In particular, the climate aspect comes to the fore when projects are required to calculate their carbon footprint as part of the construction process. This requirement is related …

In terms of the generated amounts construction and demolition waste, wood is second only to concrete in Finland. Constru... In terms of the generated amounts construction and demolition waste, wood is second only to concrete in Finland. Construction sites create vast amounts of demolition waste every year, and sawmills, factories, and production facilities produce significant amounts of by-products. While today this wood material mostly ends up being used for energy, it could be used …

Measures are being taken across the entire EU as well as in Norway and Switzerland to make more use of wood, with the la... Measures are being taken across the entire EU as well as in Norway and Switzerland to make more use of wood, with the latter two countries leading the way. This is a rather new development, as the conversation has only recently turned to the extensive use of non-renewable materials in construction and the considerable greenhouse …

Pre-fabrication has increased its market share over the past ten years, and new products, particularly CLT, have become... Pre-fabrication has increased its market share over the past ten years, and new products, particularly CLT, have become viable options in the construction of hall-like buildings. Wooden roof elements are also gaining ground, increasingly taking the place of roofs built on site. The original HalliPES 1.0 design guide from 2014 became obsolete due to technical …

Equipped with the industry’s latest technology, this new LapWall facility will significantly lower the costs of co... Equipped with the industry’s latest technology, this new LapWall facility will significantly lower the costs of component manufacturing and assembly and allow raw material to be used more efficiently. This investment supports the company’s strategy, which aims for profitable growth and a sizeable increase in market share. “This investment will triple our production capacity. The

Authorities have now granted the required building permit, allowing construction to begin this summer. Once complete in... Authorities have now granted the required building permit, allowing construction to begin this summer. Once complete in 2025, Versowood’s headquarters in Vierumäki will be the face of Finland’s largest private processing facility for lumber and wood products. The building is approximately 3,000 m2, divided over two floors. The exterior cladding is Versowood’s own Kuningaspaneeli,

Located in the Seutula district of Vantaa, Katrineberg is a scenic locale with a rich cultural history. Its built enviro... Located in the Seutula district of Vantaa, Katrineberg is a scenic locale with a rich cultural history. Its built environment has grown over several eras and includes the 300-year-old Katrineberg Manor and the late 1950s-era Katriina Hospital. The area’s new development plan specifies several architectural principles: Together with the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA), the …

Wooden buildings have been around for a long time. In fact, the oldest building still in active use is a respectable 1,6... Wooden buildings have been around for a long time. In fact, the oldest building still in active use is a respectable 1,600 years old. However, the data available on wooden buildings and the damage they have sustained is still not statistically significant. Despite wood’s popularity and long service life as a building material, the shortage …

VTT:n toteuttamassa ennakointihankkeessa selvitettiin puurakentamisen tulevaisuuden mahdollisuuksia ja haasteita haastat... VTT:n toteuttamassa ennakointihankkeessa selvitettiin puurakentamisen tulevaisuuden mahdollisuuksia ja haasteita haastattelemalla laajaa joukkoa puurakentamisen asiantuntijoita. Teksti: Maarit Halttunen ja Janne Lehenkari, VTT Korkeiden kohteiden puurakentamiseen kohdistuu paljon odotuksia. Puukerrostalot voivat auttaa ilmasto- ja kestävyystavoitteiden saavuttamisessa kaupunkien tiivistyessä ja ke

The extensive set of materials prepared two years ago as a collaboration of wood industry teachers has been translated i... The extensive set of materials prepared two years ago as a collaboration of wood industry teachers has been translated into English. There are several thousand PowerPoint pages of material. They cover wood material theory, industrial wood products and wood technology. The material introduces industrial building systems, the principles of architectural planning and planning, building regulations &h

As climate change accelerates, the discourse on sustainability in policymaking, urban planning, and architectural design... As climate change accelerates, the discourse on sustainability in policymaking, urban planning, and architectural design has increasingly emphasised the circular economy, resilience, and adaptability in the building sector. Recently, the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) asserted that “The construction sector is not on track to decarbonise by 2050” (UNEP 2022), effectively st

A renovation and expansion project completed this year added a new layer of history to Lieto’s medieval church. Bu... A renovation and expansion project completed this year added a new layer of history to Lieto’s medieval church. Built from grey rock, the original nave has a medieval sacristy and arms room but was extended on its east end in 1902 with a hexagonal “little church” built from red brick. A new extension, “Leipähuone” (Bread …

Wood Magazine is facing a positive challenge: an overwhelming array of interesting topics. Even the program for Wood Day... Wood Magazine is facing a positive challenge: an overwhelming array of interesting topics. Even the program for Wood Day shares the same “dilemma” – too many good ideas. Speaking of Wood Day, make sure to save the date of Wednesday, November 6th in your calendars. There is more and more talk about the use of …

Kimmo Rönkä, a specialist in the housing of the future, envisions a new era of construction that will bring people close... Kimmo Rönkä, a specialist in the housing of the future, envisions a new era of construction that will bring people closer to nature. Kimmo Rönkä, what is the new era of construction?  We only have one planet, so we need to change our over-consuming ways. We need to change our everyday lives if we are …

A new residential area in Kerava’s Kivisilta district will give visitors a peek into life in a new era. Next summe... A new residential area in Kerava’s Kivisilta district will give visitors a peek into life in a new era. Next summer, the area will host a festival showcasing the themes of sustainable construction and the circular economy. Read the article in Finnish here. Opulent views of fields and riverbanks open up from the old stone …

Northern Karelia’s Karelia Puutec has developed a non-glued CLT panel that brings something new to the product ran... Northern Karelia’s Karelia Puutec has developed a non-glued CLT panel that brings something new to the product range for wooden construction panels. Environmental friendliness has been a core value of the development process, which includes a local supply chain, low production emissions, and a circular economy for materials. By enabling modifiable structures, the product presents …

Multi-story timber-framed buildings have been a new promising industry with a high capacity for supporting the bio-econo... Multi-story timber-framed buildings have been a new promising industry with a high capacity for supporting the bio-economy and technologically refurbishing construction sector. They can contribute to social well-being both within primary production and within wood-based value chains. In this industry, as a growing market in Europe, EWPs (Engineered wood products) e.g., cross-laminated timber (CLT)

The wood element terminology guidelines published at Puupäivä (Wood Day) 2023 define the key principles for naming wood... The wood element terminology guidelines published at Puupäivä (Wood Day) 2023 define the key principles for naming wood elements. The PuuBIM guidelines aim to standardise the information modelling used in the structural design of wooden buildings and to harmonise the data types and formats used for wood elements. A unified naming convention simplifies the flow …

The municipality of Sipoo has planned a new village-style residential area for its Talma district, which lies along the... The municipality of Sipoo has planned a new village-style residential area for its Talma district, which lies along the border with Kerava. Puu-Talma (Wood-Talma) will be built following the principles of traditional villages: old log buildings can be relocated there, and new wooden buildings can supplement the old as long as construction follows traditional methods. …

Reading about something out of the ordinary is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons, and reading a paper copy can be... Reading about something out of the ordinary is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons, and reading a paper copy can be so much more fun. Using wood comes naturally to Finns, so a printed issue of Wood Magazine was a natural choice! A moment with a printed magazine is valuable me-time – some use …

The University of Eastern Finland has updated its natural sciences curriculum to better meet the demands of modern busin... The University of Eastern Finland has updated its natural sciences curriculum to better meet the demands of modern business. In August 2023, 55 engineering students began their studies in the new Sustainable Technologies graduate program on the Joensuu campus. Read the article in Finnish here. Besides the obvious goal of increasing cooperation with the region’s …

Docent Anu Bask, PhD Econ., has been appointed professor of business development in wood construction at the University... Docent Anu Bask, PhD Econ., has been appointed professor of business development in wood construction at the University of Vaasa. The professorship is a five-year fixed-term position with the goal of producing research data to guide the sustainability, competitiveness, business, and marketing and business concept development of the large-scale wood construction value chain. Read the …

Reviewed in December, the doctoral thesis of architect Matti Lakkala argues that people perceive logs to be a healthy bu... Reviewed in December, the doctoral thesis of architect Matti Lakkala argues that people perceive logs to be a healthy building material and building technology thanks to the solid wood composition and easily understood concept. According to his research, these characteristics are also integral to architectural quality Read the article in Finnish here. Finland has more …

The TRIQBRIQ building system consists of wooden building blocks, or BRIQs if you will, that are manufactured from inexpe... The TRIQBRIQ building system consists of wooden building blocks, or BRIQs if you will, that are manufactured from inexpensive recycled or surplus wood using robotics. At the construction site, the individual wooden BRIQs are stacked on top of each other and locked together with wooden dowels. The frame system needs no glue or metal fasteners, …

Built on the threshold of Koli National Park, Pohjois-Karjalan Osuuskauppa’s new hotel folds in among the classical styl... Built on the threshold of Koli National Park, Pohjois-Karjalan Osuuskauppa’s new hotel folds in among the classical styling of the buildings around it. While it welcomes visitors from near and far, the hotel particularly delights in accommodating families. Text: Nina Ahlroos Photographs: Tuomas Uusheimo and Jami Ivanof Read the article in Finnish here. The hotel’s …

Monio is a new multipurpose facility in the former garrison area in the centre of Tuusula’s Hyrylä disctrict. The buildi... Monio is a new multipurpose facility in the former garrison area in the centre of Tuusula’s Hyrylä disctrict. The building houses an upper secondary school and cultural centre, and was designed by AOR Architects. The winner was announced at the Puupäivä (Wood Day) event on November 2nd. With a gross area of 8773 m2, Monio …

Aalto University-spinout startup VacuumWood.tech has successfully completed its first industrially manufactured airtight... Aalto University-spinout startup VacuumWood.tech has successfully completed its first industrially manufactured airtight wooden plane element in collaboration with VVR Wood Oy and Wiiste Oy. The developed tight element solution allows vacuum drying of the element as the first technology in the world. Due to this property, the element can be efficiently dried on-site without dismantling …

A new daycare centre is being built in Helsinki’s Pitäjänmäki district, right next to a popular recreational area and sp... A new daycare centre is being built in Helsinki’s Pitäjänmäki district, right next to a popular recreational area and sports park. Hoivatilat Oyj is both the developer and the property owner. Daycare centres are in demand as Helsinki does not currently have enough early childhood education facilities to meet its needs. This new two-storey building …

When exploring funding options for wood construction projects, it worth taking a look at sustainable financing instrumen... When exploring funding options for wood construction projects, it worth taking a look at sustainable financing instruments. Wood construction can reduce construction emissions and increase carbon handprints, and these are positive factors when applying for construction project financing. Finland has recently seen a significant slowdown in the construction industry, and financiers are increasingly

Compared to many other industries, construction uses significant amounts of raw materials. As much as half of the world&... Compared to many other industries, construction uses significant amounts of raw materials. As much as half of the world’s various natural resources and raw materials go into construction and the manufacture of construction products. With the fast pace of building in recent decades, materials such as concrete aggregate have become scarce commodities in several countries …

The carbon efficiency of a construction project can be significantly improved by automating structural design in appropr... The carbon efficiency of a construction project can be significantly improved by automating structural design in appropriate stages of the project. A new online tool, Floor Design, can help builders do just this while helping them understand the potential of wood construction. Many people don’t even realise that it’s possible to automate the design of …

When it comes to interior design trends, Finland’s Asuntomessut (Housing Fair) is the highpoint of the year. Organised a... When it comes to interior design trends, Finland’s Asuntomessut (Housing Fair) is the highpoint of the year. Organised amidst the gorgeous scenery on the eastern shore of Loviisanlahti Bay, this year’s fair was held in the Kuningattarenranta district and featured the sea. Many fair visitors came to see the home interior design solutions and interior …

Temperatures are hitting all-time highs across the globe, and the news is filled with imagery of the most dramatic fires... Temperatures are hitting all-time highs across the globe, and the news is filled with imagery of the most dramatic fires in history. Hurricanes pack a heavier punch than ever before, knocking the wind out of all of us. Torrential rains flash-flood cities and leave displaced people in their wake. We could all use a break …

The timber industry is experiencing a welcomed shift towards the use of timber in multi-rise residential and office buil... The timber industry is experiencing a welcomed shift towards the use of timber in multi-rise residential and office buildings. The sector is rethinking their processes, updating their knowledge base, and revising supply chains for the implementation of timber construction in their standard portfolio, at scales not seen before. The timber industry has already demonstrated its …

Last spring, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) received significant funding for its HYBRITUT research project o... Last spring, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) received significant funding for its HYBRITUT research project on low-carbon hybrid construction. The project’s partners include Portugal’s University of Coimbra and several leading companies in Finnish hybrid construction, and its goals are to promote low-carbon hybrid construction, build an ecosystem for hybrid structures, and increase inte

ThermoWood-CLT grid structure construction is the first modern leisure apartment in Ähtäri. The project takes a novel ap... ThermoWood-CLT grid structure construction is the first modern leisure apartment in Ähtäri. The project takes a novel approach to wood construction by using an advanced construction material to streamline construction. As a new innovation, heat-treated ThermoWood has been factory- installed directly onto the exterior surface of CLT boards. The ThermoWood serves as exterior cladding and …

Stora Enso’s building concepts demonstrate the best-performing combinations of Sylva™ by Stora Enso range of prefabricat... Stora Enso’s building concepts demonstrate the best-performing combinations of Sylva™ by Stora Enso range of prefabricated wood-based products for low-carbon and cost-efficient wooden buildings. The mixed use building concept combines office and accommodation space to assure the flexibility for the planning phase and adaptability for future needs. Developed in cooperation with Sweco Finland Oy and

A new art museum addition rounds out the Raasepori museum’s Ekta building and the Pro Artibus foundation’s G... A new art museum addition rounds out the Raasepori museum’s Ekta building and the Pro Artibus foundation’s Galleria Elverket. The art museum was commissioned by the Albert de la Chapelle art foundation and designed by JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy. To best serve its purpose, this new building is a hybrid construction of concrete and wood. Dark-hued …

The City of Helsinki has plans to build an environmentally sustainable residential area using wooden construction. Locat... The City of Helsinki has plans to build an environmentally sustainable residential area using wooden construction. Located in Hermanninranta, the northern part of the Kalasatama district, this new wooden area will be home to 5,500 residents. The plans include nine residential blocks, two parking garages, a school, and two daycare centres. Pre-construction and street construction …

It’s time to embrace the truth and shout it from the rooftops. Finns ARE the happiest people in the world, and we... It’s time to embrace the truth and shout it from the rooftops. Finns ARE the happiest people in the world, and we should let others know it. The Danes have their “hygge” and the Swedes have Abba and Loreen, but we can make happiness a Finnish brand and export product. Productization requires concretizing the concept …

While the production and use of low-carbon and nature-based building products have rapidly gained ground in Central Euro... While the production and use of low-carbon and nature-based building products have rapidly gained ground in Central Europe, there is still a lack of comprehensive data on the technical properties or carbon footprints of these products in Finland. In 2022, the Nature CO2 project at Tampere University collected information on nature-based building materials, and there …

While Turku often shows the way in wood construction, the sector is also actively promoted elsewhere in the regions of S... While Turku often shows the way in wood construction, the sector is also actively promoted elsewhere in the regions of Satakunta and Southwest Finland. Text: Dennis Somelar, project manager, the Finnish Forest Centre Read the article in Finnish here. The City of Turku has been an important pioneer in the construction of wooden multi-storeys in …

Stora Enso’s new headquarters, named Katajanokka Laituri, will be completed by the summer of 2024. The new wooden... Stora Enso’s new headquarters, named Katajanokka Laituri, will be completed by the summer of 2024. The new wooden building will be located in Katajanokka, Helsinki, which is familiar to passengers as a cruise port. The building is owned by the Finnish pension company Varma. Lue artikkeli suomeksi. 1. The building is created from solid wood …

The new construction act opens new markets for wood construction. In the future, a warehouse of less than 30 square mete... The new construction act opens new markets for wood construction. In the future, a warehouse of less than 30 square meters or a yard sauna can be built without a permit, as long as the building and planning regulations and the regulations for waterfront construction apply. The new Construction Act will enter into force at …

The task of promoting wood construction is often relegated to municipal zoning, but cities have been surprisingly resour... The task of promoting wood construction is often relegated to municipal zoning, but cities have been surprisingly resourceful in finding alternative methods to increase wood use. In the spirit of learning together, ten cities of varying sizes shared their individual methods in the “Puu tulee kaupunkiin” (Wood comes to the city) project in 2021–2022. Text: …

On March 15th, Oy CrossLam Kuhmo Ltd started production at the new extension to its CLT manufacturing facility in Kuhmo.... On March 15th, Oy CrossLam Kuhmo Ltd started production at the new extension to its CLT manufacturing facility in Kuhmo. This investment doubles Crosslam’s annual manufacturing capacity. “We are proud to bring one of Northern Europe’s most modern and customer-oriented CLT production lines to Finland’s Kainuu region. This investment enables our company to develop alongside &hellip

In 2021–2022, Puuinfo produced a video series about a number of topics, including the construction of wooden apartment b... In 2021–2022, Puuinfo produced a video series about a number of topics, including the construction of wooden apartment buildings in cities, daily life in wooden apartment buildings, and the use of wood in interior design and in apartment building, courtyards. These videos go into special topics around building and living in wooden apartments such as …

After a three year hiatus, Wood Day was once again held live on November 3, 2022. An audience of a thousand people atten... After a three year hiatus, Wood Day was once again held live on November 3, 2022. An audience of a thousand people attended the event either in person at the Messukeskus exhibition centre in Helsinki or online. The cosy atmosphere at Messukeskus made networking easy, and online attendees were also pleased with the event. This …

The 2022 Lumber Merchant Prize was awarded to Heinolan Levy ja Lista Oy. Run by second-generation entrepreneurs, the com... The 2022 Lumber Merchant Prize was awarded to Heinolan Levy ja Lista Oy. Run by second-generation entrepreneurs, the company has created a concept that helps them succeed in a very competitive field. This building supplies store relies on trust to serve local construction professionals and companies, and DIY consumers. Employing 16 people, it has a …

Aproposal entitled “Puukruunu (Wood Crown)” has won a competition organised by the Urban and Environmental Services depa... Aproposal entitled “Puukruunu (Wood Crown)” has won a competition organised by the Urban and Environmental Services department of the City of Oulu. The winning entry was submitted by Puurakentajat Group Oy and Schauman Arkkitehdit Helsinki Oy (ARCO). The design competition ran from April to December 2022 and called for a 16-storey wooden apartment building to …

Finland, Sweden, and Estonia collaborated with the European Commission to organise the Into the Woods event at the Halti... Finland, Sweden, and Estonia collaborated with the European Commission to organise the Into the Woods event at the Haltia Finnish Nature Centre in Nuuksio on November 24, 2022. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was visibly excited to be out in nature, and was intrigued by both the beautiful wooden building and …

Arkkitehtoimisto ALA Oy is behind the architectural design for the entrance hall to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The awa... Arkkitehtoimisto ALA Oy is behind the architectural design for the entrance hall to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The award winner was announced at Puupäivä (Wood Day) on November 3, 2022 in Helsinki. The jury issued the following statement: The ceiling of the departure hall and entrance at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is a masterful display of how …

The Keitele Group is a family-run business where a long-term generational transition is coming to fruition. Industry Adv... The Keitele Group is a family-run business where a long-term generational transition is coming to fruition. Industry Advisor Ilkka Kylävainio is the founder of Keitele, one of the largest operators in Finland’s sawmill and wood product industry. He is transferring the entire company to his sons Matti and Mikko Kylävainio. Mikko Kylävainio will become CEO …

Science Centre Heureka’s Wild Wild Wood exhibition has been awarded the internationally widely recognized Red Dot design... Science Centre Heureka’s Wild Wild Wood exhibition has been awarded the internationally widely recognized Red Dot design award in the “Brands & Communication Design 2022” series. The Red Dot Design Award is one of the largest, oldest, and most prestigious design competitions in the world. The competition has three series: Product design, Brands & Communication …

The City of Helsinki has developed a new wooden building concept that can be easily replicated. Specifically designed to... The City of Helsinki has developed a new wooden building concept that can be easily replicated. Specifically designed to fit into spaces around existing structures, these apartment buildings are compact and environmentally-friendly. The process and designs are freely available to everyone from property owners to suppliers of construction elements. The new apartment building model has …

Can construction be used to promote biodiversity? This question is being studied in the Y Foundation’s Elonkirjota... Can construction be used to promote biodiversity? This question is being studied in the Y Foundation’s Elonkirjotalo project, which is developing a wooden apartment building that binds carbon and promotes biodiversity. Text: Anne Soininen | Images: Planetary Architecture The Elonkirjotalo building is the Y-Foundation’s pioneering wooden apartment building project. It aims to uncover ho

Wooden schools, architectural competition winners in wood, and downtown Helsinki’s impressive buildings with wooden faca... Wooden schools, architectural competition winners in wood, and downtown Helsinki’s impressive buildings with wooden facades are merely a few examples from the Toivoa puusta (Hope from Wood) exhibition at Helsinki’s Museum of Finnish Architecture. Together they highlight the relationship between wood and a sense of hope. While wood’s popularity in school construction comes from the …

The “Helsinki” single-family house was designed more than ten years ago as a solution for small plots and urban living.... The “Helsinki” single-family house was designed more than ten years ago as a solution for small plots and urban living. The house has since gained fame across Finland, and now has a prominent place among detached house design options. Text: Anne Soininen  Read the article in Finnish: Selkeälinjainen Helsinki-pientalo The City of Helsinki has made …

Located along the new Tampere tram route, TOAS Kauppi offers apartments near outdoor, sports, and educational venues. Ma... Located along the new Tampere tram route, TOAS Kauppi offers apartments near outdoor, sports, and educational venues. Made with CLT volumetric elements, Kauppi is the first wooden apartment building built by TOAS, the Tampere Student Housing Foundation. Text: Ida Väänänen | Photographs: Skyfox, Marko Kallio Read the article in Finnish: TOAS Kauppi – kaunista ja kestävää opiskelijoille &h

Text: Anne Soininen |  Photographs: Puuinfo Read the article in Finnish: Kehittyvä kerrostalo -ohjelma ed... Text: Anne Soininen |  Photographs: Puuinfo Read the article in Finnish: Kehittyvä kerrostalo -ohjelma edistää puurakentamista The City of Helsinki’s Re-thinking Urban Housing programme aims to develop apartment building construction and housing in Helsinki. The programme’s key themes are easily adaptable apartments, pleasant courtyard spaces, affordability, a sense of community, re

Together with his team, Lauri Rautkari, the Assistant Professor of Wood Materials Science and Technology at Aalto Univer... Together with his team, Lauri Rautkari, the Assistant Professor of Wood Materials Science and Technology at Aalto University, is researching wood surface treatments and their possibilities. Currently, the best known wood modification methods are heat treatment and acetylation. All modifications, whether based on chemical, biological, or physical treatments, cause permanent changes to the treated w

The peripheries and surrounding municipalities of major cities are now drawing in new residents. There is even talk of a... The peripheries and surrounding municipalities of major cities are now drawing in new residents. There is even talk of a new so-called “Nurmijärvi phenomenon”, as they called the move to the surroundings of Greater Helsinki in the early 2000s. For wood construction, the pull of the surrounding suburbs opens up new possibilities. Text: Anne Soininen …

Hoas Tuuliniitty is the world’s tallest wooden building made from volumetric modules. In 2013, Asuntosäätiö joined force... Hoas Tuuliniitty is the world’s tallest wooden building made from volumetric modules. In 2013, Asuntosäätiö joined forces with Metsä Group and the City of Espoo to organise an architectural competition for a complex of wood buildings in the Tuuliniitty area of Tapiola, Espoo. Arkkitehtitoimisto Jukka Turtiainen Oy won the architectural competition with “Tiebreak” that envisioned …

A facade is like a building’s calling card as it entices people to step inside to take a better look. The materials, col... A facade is like a building’s calling card as it entices people to step inside to take a better look. The materials, colours and shapes define a building’s character. Facades need to withstand time but also represent their own era. Text: Inkariina Sipiläinen Read the article in Finnish: Puuta pintaan A wooden façade that is well-designed …

The Puukeila building, which has been built in Kuopio, is the third design by Arkkitehtuuritoimisto AT to use CLT volume... The Puukeila building, which has been built in Kuopio, is the third design by Arkkitehtuuritoimisto AT to use CLT volumetric elements. The company’s previous design, two apartment buildings for the same client KOy (real estate company) M2 Kodit, was completed in Jyväskylä in 2019. The design and implementation of Puukeila benefited from the experience gained …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Mia Heiskanen | Photographs: Ville... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Mia Heiskanen | Photographs: Ville Vappula Photography Read the article in Finnish: Sauna N – tunnelmallinen puulämmitteinen pihasauna Sauna N is a yard sauna designed for a private client in Helsinki’s Itä-Pakila neighbourhood. The 600 m2 plot is in the middle of a dense …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Porvoon Galaksit – mod... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Porvoon Galaksit – moderni mökkikylä Text: Elina Viitanen  Lying near the seashore in the Purola neighbourhood about three kilometres from Porvoo’s centre, the Gammelbacka garden allotments are now home to a complex of seven blocks reminiscent of the …

For the Varma Pension Insurance Company, the mitigation of climate change is a key corporate social responsibility. It a... For the Varma Pension Insurance Company, the mitigation of climate change is a key corporate social responsibility. It also plays a key role in new construction projects. Keilaniemen Portti is Varma’s flagship site: an architecturally impressive wood office building that features sustainable development and environmental friendliness in its design in an atypical way.  The article …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Elina Viitanen | Photographs: Marc Goodwin, A... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Elina Viitanen | Photographs: Marc Goodwin, Archmospheres Read the article in Finnish: Niliaitta – puiden välissä leijuva talo The Suomenselkä region in central Finland was settled by the indigenous Sámi in earlier days. The area is characterised by higher terrain and a different habitat …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Elina Viitanen | Photographs: Teemu Lautamies... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Elina Viitanen | Photographs: Teemu Lautamies Read the article in Finnish: Nolla-mökki – siirrettävä puusta rakennettu lomakohde The Nolla Cabin is a compact, fully mobile 10 m2 unit that can be assembled, disassembled and transported without heavy machinery. The cabin reflects a …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Anu Turunen, photos: NCC Read the a... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Anu Turunen, photos: NCC Read the article in Finnish: CO2-vähennys tavoitteena Inspired by Valle Wood, NCC has looked into using wood in the development stages of projects for commercial space construction in Finland. Eelis Rytkönen, NCC’s urban developer “hippie”, as he calls himself, says …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Mia Heiskanen Read the article in F... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Text: Mia Heiskanen Read the article in Finnish: Pohdintoja asiakaskäyttäytymisen muutoksesta The Finnish passion for construction, renovation, and carpentry has spiked over the past year. Are changes in customer behavior evident to those working in sales in construction companies and in hardware store lumber department

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Puumateriaal... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Puumateriaali vaikuttaa myönteisesti ihmisen tunteisiin Text: Mia Heiskanen The Natural Resource Institute Finland and Tampere University’s Biomedical Measurements, Devices, and Systems unit and Production Economics unit collaborated on the interdisciplinary Wood for Good (W4G) research proj

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Wood City –... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Wood City – suomalaisen puurakentamisen lippulaiva Text: Mia Heiskanen ja Heidi Tetteh, Photos: Tuomas Uusheimo The result of collaboration by SRV and Stora Enso, Wood City is a series of wood buildings centrally located in the Jätkäsaari district of Helsinki. …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Ääneneristys... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read the article in Finnish: Ääneneristys puutalossa Text and pictures: Tero Lahtela Acoustic design plays an important role in wood buildings because it significantly effects how building component layers are structured and how joints and other couplings are made between building components. This means that …

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read The article in Finnish: Palomääräyks... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read The article in Finnish: Palomääräykset muuttuivat Text: Tero Lahtela Decree 927/2020 of the Finnish Ministry of the Environment entered into force at the beginning of 2021. These new regulations amend the Finnish Ministry of the Environment’s earlier Decree 848/2017 on fire safety in buildings. The amendments &hell

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read The article in Finnish: Vantaalle nousee hiili... The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021. Read The article in Finnish: Vantaalle nousee hiilinegatiivinen hirsipäiväkoti Next year, the Rekola district of Vantaa will be home to a day care centre that is more good than bad for the climate. The carbon footprint of the log building that won the …

Tall buildings are making their way to Finland. The attached vision was made to provoke discussion, could some wood be u... Tall buildings are making their way to Finland. The attached vision was made to provoke discussion, could some wood be used in those? Text and pictures: Mikko Viljakainen The article has been published in Wood magazine 2/2020. Read the article in Finnish: Korkeammalle There is an ongoing trend in the world of taller timber buildings. …

Sound insulation is one of the most demanding design aspects in wood construction. The latest legislation update extende... Sound insulation is one of the most demanding design aspects in wood construction. The latest legislation update extended the measurement range for impact sounds, which now starts from as low as 50 Hz (spectral adaptation term CI, 50-2500). Low frequencies in wood apartment buildings can be muted in several ways, for example by using impact …

Puuinfo’s internet services have been compiled for the new puuinfo.fi website. The site provides more information... Puuinfo’s internet services have been compiled for the new puuinfo.fi website. The site provides more information on wood construction and the use of wood for construction professionals and consumers. Outdated information has been removed and efforts have been made to reduce the advertising nature of the pages. Finding information has been made easier with clearer …

In new residential areas, the issue of parking space is increasingly often solved by constructing a dedicated car park.... In new residential areas, the issue of parking space is increasingly often solved by constructing a dedicated car park. This has raised interest in finding out whether such buildings could be built from wood. To further discussion on the topic, we followed the example of a Swedish multistorey car park project and designed one of …

Intermediate floors are a key building component when it comes to the competitiveness of wood apartment buildings. The s... Intermediate floors are a key building component when it comes to the competitiveness of wood apartment buildings. The sound insulation of an intermediate floor is determined mainly by impact sound insulation, rather than the airborne sound insulation. The development of wood intermediate floors for apartment buildings has long been a case of trial and error …

The 2019 Wood Award will be awarded to Joensuu Lighthouse. Its architectural design is by Arcadia Oy Arkkitehtitoimisto,... The 2019 Wood Award will be awarded to Joensuu Lighthouse. Its architectural design is by Arcadia Oy Arkkitehtitoimisto, with architect SAFA Samuli Sallinen as the chief designer. The award was granted at Finnish national Wood Day on November 28th in Helsinki Photo: Arcadia Oy Arkkitehtitoimisto As its award criteria, the jury stated the following: Joensuu …

The 2018 Wood Award goes to Tuupala primary school and day-care centre, with Antti Karsikas of alt Architects Oy and Mar... 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 …

Over the course of 2018, Puuinfo will publish a series of articles on the Finnish wood industry and wood construction. T... Over the course of 2018, Puuinfo will publish a series of articles on the Finnish wood industry and wood construction. The article series by Markku Laukkanen and Mikko Viljakainen presents a variety of best practices and trends in the Finnish wood industry. Among other topics, the series will cover high quality Finnish wood and the …

Puuinfo Oy has been awarded the right to use the Finnish Social Enterprise mark in recognition of successfully combining... Puuinfo Oy has been awarded the right to use the Finnish Social Enterprise mark in recognition of successfully combining of commercial and social goals. Social enterprises can work in any sector regardless of the form of the company. The Finnish Social Enterprise mark awarded by The Association for Finnish Work helps reliably identify these enterprises. …

The 2017 Finnish Wood Award goes to Rest Area Niemenharju, with Studio Puisto Architects responsible for architectural d... The 2017 Finnish Wood Award goes to Rest Area Niemenharju, with Studio Puisto Architects responsible for architectural design. As its grounds for the award, the jury states the following: “Rest Area Niemenharju represents extremely high-quality and distinctive Finnish wood architecture that does not need any stylistic loans. Use of wood on the site is technically …

The 2016 Finnish Wood Award went to the Pudasjärvi Log Campus, lead designer Pekka Lukkaroinen, Lukkaroinen Architects.... The 2016 Finnish Wood Award went to the Pudasjärvi Log Campus, lead designer Pekka Lukkaroinen, Lukkaroinen Architects. The jury commented: “The Pudasjärvi Log Campus is a fine example of systematically furthering wood construction and developing a traditional structural system into a credible alternative for construction challenges in the 21st century. The site’s architecture was sure

The Wood Prize went to lead designer Anssi Lassila of OOPEAA (Office for Peripheral Architecture) for Jyväskylä’s... The Wood Prize went to lead designer Anssi Lassila of OOPEAA (Office for Peripheral Architecture) for Jyväskylä’s Puukuokka. The jury found Puukuokka to be an interesting project in terms of architecture, massing and colouring, which when viewed from different sides unfolds to viewers in varying and surprising ways. Use of wood in the building is …