Coated in Teknos and manufactured by Raision Puusepät Oy, the Finnish wood design was acknowledged for its calming effect
The lower ceiling of the expanded Terminal 2 at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, an example of Finnish wood design, has received the International Award for Wood Architecture 2022.
The judges praised the design for its ambition and craftsmanship. They said: “Visually, the ceiling has a unified feel due to the uncompromising finishing and uniform surface treatment.”
They also acknowledged the calming effect of wood and its use as a building material in the hectic environment of an airport.
Manufactured by Raision Puusepät Oy, a total of 7,700m² of wood was used in the roof of the departure hall, the outside box and around the skylight of the terminal.
The wavy shape of the roof is made of thousands of curved wooden elements and was one of the most challenging assignments for the designer.
“The production of the elements started about a year before the opening of the terminal. The first element was lifted into place in August 2021. All in all, we have prepared more than 10,000 different parts for this object,” said Jari Saarinen, Raisio’s joinery production manager.
All the elements were made in Raisio’s joinery manufacturing premises, with the largest pieces being more than 6m in length and weighing up to 1,200kg.
The shape of the wooden roof is made of multi-layer wooden boards, the most visible surface of which is low-branched spruce. The wooden boards are supported by a hidden pine frame, which is in turn attached to the steel structures.
To maintain the material for many years, both the inside and the outside wooden ceilings were coated in Teknos Aquatop 2600-90 translucent topcoat in a matte finish.
“Only after the roof was installed were we able to see the result of our work in the right environment with its uniform look. Our belief is that the product we manufacture must last at least as long as the life cycle goals set for it,” said Saarinen.
The project was constructed in accordance with the BREEAM Excellent environmental rating, which looks at the ecology of buildings, including a requirement for low VOC emissions in surface treatment products.
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