Wood Magazine 1/2024

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 …

As the client, the city of Oulu established ambitious objectives for the Kaijonharju kindergarten: the pilot building wa… As the client, the city of Oulu established ambitious objectives for the Kaijonharju kindergarten: the pilot building was conceptualized from the outset with the child’s perspective and long-term well-being at the forefront. At the Kaijonharju kindergarten, children were prioritized through views, spaces, and material selections. In this pilot project, methods to minimize the chemical load &

Lastu Brings a New Addition to the Step Professional Training Center Campus in Järvenpää. The new educational building,… Lastu Brings a New Addition to the Step Professional Training Center Campus in Järvenpää. The new educational building, Lastu brings a new addition to the STEP Professional Training Center Campus in Järvenpää. It forms a focal point for the campus area and serves as a central hub that joins all the other buildings on the …

The Lippulaiva (flagship) project showcases the future of wood construction. Rising in the midst of Loviisa’s housing fa… The Lippulaiva (flagship) project showcases the future of wood construction. Rising in the midst of Loviisa’s housing fairgrounds, this wood-framed apartment building takes the environment into account. Read the article in Finnish here. Ensuring a magnificent sea view for all the apartments and their balconies was the core of the design mission. The demanding maritime …

Upon completion, Turun Portinvartija filled in the gap in the central block of Linnanfältti to create an enclosed urban… Upon completion, Turun Portinvartija filled in the gap in the central block of Linnanfältti to create an enclosed urban feel and to deliver the unified façade on Linnankatu street that people had been waiting for. Read the article in Finnish here. Arco joined the Linnanfältti project in 2011 when the city requested that it draw …

A new layer of architecture with a strong character of its own is added in a way that respects the unique qualities of t… A new layer of architecture with a strong character of its own is added in a way that respects the unique qualities of the culturally and historically valuable milieu. Read the article in Finnish here. The Rauhalinna Castle is a unique example of Russian style wooden castle houses in Finland. With a rare combination of …

The Turku Market Square Pavilions were designed with the specific goal of improving the cityscape by creating more intim… The Turku Market Square Pavilions were designed with the specific goal of improving the cityscape by creating more intimate, people-friendly spaces in Turku’s market square and simultaneously connecting the underground parking facility to the urban locale above it. Nestled on the edges of the market square, the pavilion buildings split the square’s vast open space …

KORE is a 23 m², mobile residential building. Living quarters in the wooden house are designed around a compact core (&#… KORE is a 23 m², mobile residential building. Living quarters in the wooden house are designed around a compact core (“kore” in Finnish). The goal was to use the small space as efficiently as possible. Around the plywood core there are all the necessary facilities for living, dining, cooking, working and washing. A pull-out ladder …

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 …

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)

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …