About the Piano Pavilion
Design and Planning Consultants and Contractors
- Architect: Gert Wingårdh, Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB
- Architectural Partner: Anders Adlercreutz, A-konsultit Architects
- Chief Designer: Unto Siikanen, Architect SAFA
- Construction Engineering: Asko Keronen, Insinööritoimisto Asko Keronen
- Electrical Planning: Juhani Sinisalo, Sähköinsinööritoimisto Delta Oy
- HVAC Planning: Olavi Lindström, Insinööritoimisto Olavi Lindström
- Building Consultant: Timo Halonen, CGH Group Oy
- Supervision: Juha-Matti Sirnelä, Insinööritoimisto Sirnelä Ky
- Site Manager: Matti Virtanen, Rakennus-Miredex Oy
- Building Contractor: Rakennus-Miredex Oy
- Electrical Contractor: LSK Electrics Oy
- HVAC Contractor: Salpailma Oy
- Pile Driving for the Foundation: Suomen Teräspaalutus Oy
The Piano Pavilion, commissioned by the Wood in Culture Association, was completed in June 2008 in Ankkurinranta, next to the Sibelius Hall in Lahti The building was designed by one of the most renowned Nordic architects, Gert Wingårdh from Sweden. His design echoes and celebrates the work of Renzo Piano from Italy, the recipient of the 2000 International Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award.
Wood, glass and steel
The Piano Pavilion has an interesting architecture. Its foundation consists of steel columns driven into the living rock. The gluelam frame rests on transverse steel beams. The space is demarcated by the load-bearing structures and glass walls, while the lightweight roof appears to float above the frame.
According to Wingårdh, the building resembles a ship about to be launched. The inward-curving roof opens the building up towards Lake Vesijärvi, and the roof construction is finished by an aspen fringe, resembling fish bones.
Extensive co-operation in construction
The Piano Pavilion is the result of extensive co-operation. The suppliers of construction materials granted substantial price reductions and also donated materials, and other companies and foundations gave grants and donations. Additional funds were raised from the sales of a Spirit of Nature medal designed by Lahti-based sculptor Satu Loukkinen.
The main partners of the Wood in Culture Association in this construction project were Dynea Oy, Finnforest and UPM. Other significant contributors were BE Group Oy Ab, Pilkington Lahden Lasitehdas Oy, Suomen Turvalasi Oy and Lasiluoto Oy. The project was supported by DNA Palvelut Oy, Metsänomistajien liitto Etelä-Suomi / Family Timber Finland Oy, the OP-Pohjola Group, LSK Electrics Oy, the Stone Department of the Salpaus Further Education college, Versowood Oy, Karelia-Parketti, Ekovilla Oy, RTV, Lemminkäinen Infra Oy, Ensto, Katto 2000 Oy and Uudenmaan PR-lattia. Grants by the Asko Foundation, the Finnish Forest Foundation, the Finnish Furniture Foundation, the Puumiesten ammattikasvatussäätiö foundation and the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation were of crucial importance for the project. The planning and marketing were supported by the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme.
Details of construction
The gluelam beams for the pavilion frame, the Finnforest roof elements as well as the Kertopuu® beams supporting the glass roof and the terrace were supplied by Finnforest. The boomerang-shaped gluelam beams supporting the roof were made by Versowood in Vierumäki.
The glass components were supplied by Pilkington Lahden Lasitehdas Oy, Suomen Turvalasi Oy and Lasiluoto Oy. Suomen Turvalasi Oy manufactured the glass railings from Optiwhite glass with especial clearness The railing panes were laminated and toughened. The roof glass is laminated, self-cleaning Pilkington Activ™ glass with an excellent heat insulation capacity.
The WISA special plywood used in the interior was manufactured at the UPM Lahti Mill. The plywood panels for the ceiling were worked to the architect’s design and varnished. The terrace material is the ProFi wood plastic composite material, also manufactured at the UPM Lahti Mill. The Saima hardwood flooring is by Karelia-Upofloor.
An interesting detail in the façade are the round aspen staves which move about in the wind. The aspen for these were logged in Artjärvi and Sysmä, and the turning was done by Kärkölän Hirsisorvaamo. The staves were procured by Family Timber Finland Oy in co-operation with local forest management associations.
The ash furniture in the café was designed by Tapio Anttila and manufactured at the joinery workshop of the ProPuu Association. The terrace furniture was designed by Kari Virtanen from Nikari Oy in Fiskars. The furniture was purchased with support from the Asko Foundation.
