Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland by Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Article source: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel project started with a concept design that was developed in close cooperation with the client. The inspiration for the accommodation concept set on a steep natural slope came from Nordic nature and culture. A vision started to form: small individual accommodation buildings set in nature, their spirit highlighting characteristics of the area and creating an optimal setting for experiencing both nature and arctic mysticism.

The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel accommodation units, shingle covered pine cone cows, grow in the nature and rising on their black stick legs among the rocks and trees. They wander downhill, peering curiously at the landscape and northern lights.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

• Architects: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd
• Project: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
• Location: Tarvantie 3, Rovaniemi
• Photography: Marc Goodwin
• Gross area: 1450 m2
• Client: SantaPark Oy
• User: SantaPark Oy
• Partners: Mikko Jakonen, Emma Johansson, Sampsa Palva, Heikki Riitahuhta, Willem van Bolderen Team members: Tiia Anttila (sketchphase), Laura Suominen (interior)
• Structural design: RV-rakenne Ky
• HVAC: ETC Oy

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

• Electrical: Suomen sähkö- ja energiapalvelut
• Interior: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd
• Landscaping: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd
• Start of design: 2015
• Completion: 2016

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

32 accommodation units have been placed in the nature in pairs and there are two different types. On top of the road, you’ll climb the stairs in-between the two buildings to get to the door. Under the road, each pair can be combined into one bigger unit, and these are entered directly from the street. One of the combinable halves will always have a mini-kitchen, the other accommodation units are equipped with a fridge. The building will always be entered from uphill to the entrance hall, from which you’ll be able to enter the bathroom. The hall has a large storage area, and on top of it is a sheltered nest-like nook fit for one person to sleep in. From the hall with an intimate dark atmosphere you step right into the light main area, where the amount of light will increase and the landscape will open up in its full glory. The wall facing the landscape is made completely of glass and every accommodation unit has been carefully positioned in a way that allows for the most unobstructed view of the scenery possible.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

The buildings, timber structures covered in wood, are carefully planned warm nests. Contrast between wild nature and a safe, nest-like space has been a guiding element of the whole design. The decor has surprising and deliberate details that tie it into the area and its experiential concept. The soft, warm materials used in the interior design highlight the nest-like atmosphere. The ecological footprint of the materials and technical solutions used had an important impact at every step of the planning and building process. The green roof compensates for the building’s footprint’s worth of vegetation that was lost to construction. The wood on the interior surfaces creates a comfortable environment, healthy indoor air and pleasant acoustics.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Light pollution outdoors has been kept to a minimum due to the northern lights and to enable a true wilderness experience. There are just enough lights for safe accessibility and to help you find your own sleeping place. Some beautiful, deliberately chosen trees have been lit to act as reference points. During evenings and nights the buildings glow on the terrain like lanterns, casting interesting shadows and inviting you to step into the warm indoors. During the day, the play between light and shadow on the interior and exterior surfaces enters the buildings into a delicate discussion with the surrounding nature and its materials.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

The accommodation units have been built indoors, down to the internal surfaces and fixed furniture and lifted on the pillars straight from the truck. This way, the strain on the fragile arctic nature will be kept to a minimum. Only the connecting to the infrastructure network and the installation of the big window have been done on site. The intricate details have been made possible by the expertise and care of the constructors. Doors blend seamlessly to the wall and the window frames stay completely hidden. A prototype was built before starting the actual building project, enabling the study of the chosen solutions and methods. The project has been exceptionally fast. The planning was started in August 2015, the prototype was ready in December 2015 and all the buildings were standing steady on their feet, fully furnished in November 2016. The client’s clear vision, the builders’ expertise and flexibility and the seamless collaboration between all parties has enabled the tight schedule.
In addition to the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, the area will be filled with different accommodation units. Their architecture will offer a new, different angle into the arctic nature.
The restaurant and reception building of Arctic TreeHouse Hotel will share the architectural themes and moods of our accommodation units.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

The building stands on a steep hillside and appears to merge with the surrounding nature. It turns its back on the slope and stretches out into the landscape with its fingers. The vegetation between the fingers grows close to the building, forcing it to engage in a dialogue with the surrounding Arctic environment.
The building is like a five-pointed snowflake, and the space within the building corresponds with the shape of the points. Arriving at the building, the visitor will first enter a covered outdoor space. This part of the building also houses toilets and the cloakroom. Next to the cloakroom is a staircase to the gallery, which houses offices and meeting rooms.
The high open plan lobby area in the middle of the building is accessed via a porch. A focal point of the lobby is an impressive steel fireplace. From the lobby, the entire building can be perceived at a glance. In front is the restaurant area, located on the front left is the lounge and to the left, a private meeting room. To the right is the reception desk and bar. Behind the reception desk are the kitchen and technical facilities of the building.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

The kitchen and technical have a concrete structure. Otherwise, the building is made of wood. The ceilings and walls are made of timber that is upholstered in situ with wood paneling, on the inside and out. Using elements has enabled the building to be constructed under an extremely tight schedule. Within approximately 4.5 months of getting the elements on the site, the building work was finished and the restaurant’s grand opening celebrated.
All wall and ceiling surfaces of the public spaces are dark stained wood, which together with the oiled oak parquet flooring acts as a calming backdrop to the restaurant operations that can, from time to time, be rather hectic. The front of the reception desk is clad in the same shingles as the accommodation units, helping to create a unified feel. The use of wood gives the interior surfaces a homely feel, works well acoustically and ensures healthy indoor air within the buildings. The decor favored wooden furniture and in textiles and carpets, animal skins, leather and wool were used. Durability and health aspects have been the guiding factor throughout the construction process.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

The high, floor-to-ceiling windows emit plenty of natural light, and the need for artificial light has therefore been minimized. The principle has been to put lighting features only where necessary, such as in passageways within the hotel, where integrated led strips on furniture guide the way. Dimming light fixtures enable lighting to be modified to suit a wide variety of lighting needs. The cone shaped lamps inside the restaurant are installed randomly to bring a touch of playfulness to the interiors.
There are terrace spaces at the end of the fingers of the restaurant area, with a lacy structure acting as an informal boundary between people and the surrounding nature, and to cast interesting shadows on the surrounding environment.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin

Site plan, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Section, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Section, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Plan, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Floor plan, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Floor plan, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Detail Section, Image Courtesy © Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

Tags: Finland, Rovaniemi

Category: Hotel

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