Rest Area Niemenharju in Pihtipudas, Finland by Studio Puisto

ArchShowcase

Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Rest Area Niemenharju in Pihtipudas, Finland by Studio Puisto

December 4th, 2018 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Studio Puisto

Rest Area Niemenharju is located on European highway E75 which runs from Greece in the south to North Cape all the way in the North of Europe. After a long drive, it’s a perfect place to stop for the night and take in the natural environment. The Rest Area is located on a beautiful spot next to a large pond and a ridge (in Finnish harju, hence the name) bordering lake Kolima, which is a remnant from the ice age. The Rest Area takes its inspiration from the surrounding nature. It offers a break from driving, with beautiful, unobstructed views to the water.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

Architects: Studio Puisto
Project: Rest Area Niemenharju
Location: Pihtipudas, Finland
Photography: Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)
Client: Pihtipudas Municipality Real Estate
Design: Studio Puisto Architects: Emma Johansson, Willem van Bolderen, Mikko Jakonen, Pauliina Kujala, Tiia Anttila
Business Concept: Onvisio Consulting Oy
Structural Engineer: Suunnittelu Laukka Oy
HVAC Design: LVI-Insinööritoimisto Mäkelä Oy
Scope: Main Building 1050 m2, Auxiliary Building 155 m2, Cottages 5x 18m2
Year: October 2016

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

The Main Building, a buffer between traffic and nature, is comprised of 24 treelike columns placed on an 8m x 8m grid. The columns give visitors the feeling of being in a forest. They carry a huge canopy that curves upwards towards the road as if to catch the attention of the passing motorists. The canopy provides shelter for both the fueling area and the pedestrian area around the building. All supporting functions are placed in black boxes under and on top of the canopy so they seem to disappear against the dark backdrop of the forest. The columns are made of glued laminated timber sourced from local wood. CLT (cross laminated timber) walls in the interior enhance the natural atmosphere and bring a sense calm to the place, not typically found in a rest stop. On the second floor are 10 hotel rooms with views towards the lake and a sauna area to relax and recharge one’s batteries.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

The camping area is used during the summer months and comprises of 5 cabins, a service building and 42 camping spots. The camping area is in close relation to the pond. Most of the camping spots have a view towards the shore and from the saunas in the service building one can make a refreshing dip in the water.

The architecture of the buildings on the campsite take their inspiration from the vernacular buildings that were already on there. The new buildings are stained black so as to blend into nature. This also helps the original buildings stand out.

Rest Area Niemenharju is not your typical service station. It offers a retreat from traffic and a peaceful environment to enjoy the surroundings, local food and a good night sleep. All of this is achieved through structural wooden architecture that is innovative, out of the ordinary and sustainable.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto

: Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

: Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

: Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin (Archmospheres)

Contact Studio Puisto

Tags: Finland, Pihtipudas

Categories: Cabin, Cottage, Hotel, Recreational facility, Rest Area, Restaurant, Service Station, STORE

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 at 6:36 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.