TOPOGRAPHIC DIALOGUES: NAVIGATING FOREST GROUND, GRANITE SHORES, AND MARINE EDGES

Given the project's context across coastal waters, granite formations, and forested landscapes, each site presents a distinct and ecologically diverse terrain. A key thematic concern of the project is the manner in which it engages with and responds to the specific conditions of the forest ground, granite coastline, and marine environment.

STRUCTURAL HYBRIDITY: GLULAM EXPERIMENTS IN RECLAIMED TIMBER

This project explores the feasibility of transforming reclaimed timber into structural log forms through glulam manufacturing. It investigates a hybrid approach by combining pine and oak to create an expressive and durable material system.

Pine is used in the glulam reclaimed log forms, while oak—known for its strength and durability as a hardwood—is employed in the glulam bending structure that shapes both the exterior and roof. The resulting system demonstrates a distinctive material relationship, where softwood and hardwood complement each other both visually and structurally.

By hybridising different wood species, the project enhances the aesthetic and performance qualities of timber. The oak glulam elements provide structural precision and resilience, supporting the more expressive pine log forms. This interplay illustrates how reclaimed and re-engineered wood can be creatively reimagined through contemporary fabrication techniques.

Scale 1:5

WHEN TIMBER MEETS WATER: A BENDING METAL SOLUTION

The glulam-bending timber structure cannot be submerged in water; therefore, a metal frame is required. To maintain the bending design language, the metal frame has been deliberately bent. The concrete foundation anchors the metal footing, while the metal frame supports the glulam timber structure in the water.

ANCHORED IN STONE: A TIMBER STRUCTURE EMBRACING THE HELSINKI COASTLINE

By embedding concrete footings into the granite, the glulam-bending timber structure can touch the coastline. This idea allows the project to provide a broader view of Helsinki city lines. The thicker glulam-bending timber structure is applied to the museum’s footing because it has to embrace many visitors, museum objects, and natural impact.

INTEGRATING CONCRETE FOOTINGS WITH GLULAM TIMBER STRUCTURES

Thanks to the glulam technique, a sturdy structure can be created. The innovative technology has been applied to both the exterior and roof. Hardwood is used for the high curvature of bending timber structures, and softwood is used for typical straight timber structures. Each footing has a concrete foundation, creating a robust frame.