Seventeen architects from leading practices in Northern Ireland had an insight into some of Finland’s timber architecture, timber construction and engineered wood processing techniques in a mission led by the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA).

The trip was made possible by the product promotion campaign fund of NITTA with sponsorship from UPM-Kymmene and Finnforest backed by Wood Focus Finland, a timber promotional and research organisation. NITTA chairman Maurice Brooks said: “We needed to show architects timber in situ and as Finland is a mecca for timber it made sense to go there.”

First stop was Puu Paavola in Lahti. Started in 1995 it consists of town houses and blocks of flats, mainly of prefabricated timber construction. Architect Pauli Lindström answered searching questions from the architects who were intrigued by the construction methods and external finishing.

Alan Cook of Alan Cook Architects said: “The challenge when we get home is wanting to use it externally, but the key is how to weatherproof it, finding out what finishes are used and what guarantees they have.”

Sibelius Hall

Next stop was the Sibelius Hall: glulam, Kerto LVL, plywood, sawn timber and parquet have all been used in the 5,747m2 building and Ciaran Mackel, president of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, said it gave the opportunity to see timber in a number of different uses. He added: “I think interest in timber frame buildings will grow in Northern Ireland as the demand for sustainability grows.”

The architects then went to the Finnish Sports Institute’s Vierumaki sports complex for a presentation on the construction of a new training facility.

The building, which has an 88m diameter, is a compressed structure incorporating glulam and plywood ribs in its dome-shaped construction.

Rory Milligan of Milligan, Reside, Larkin said: “I am interested in sustainable architecture and believe timber has a large role to play. Architects have got to look at creating a more modern use of timber rather than the folksy way they have done in the past and this visit has raised awareness of the possibilities.”

Next on the agenda was Vierumäen Teollisuus Oy, which began wood processing more than 50 years ago and is a front runner in sawmilling techniques and glue laminated timber and impregnated products.

Architectural heaven

The architects then visited the Tuusula housing fair area, the result of an architectural contest held in 1999 where architects could design and build without planning constraints.

The brief was to create a modern wooden township of low and compact housing after a study showed that 70% of people living in multi-storey buildings do not like them to be higher than four storeys.

&#8220Architects have got to look at creating a more modern use of timber rather than the folksy way they have done in the past and this visit has raised awareness of the possibilities”

Rory Milligan of Milligan, Reside, Larkin

Former joiner Mervyn Black of Hall Black Douglas Architects described the visit to Tuusula as “going to architectural heaven”.

“The houses are splendid,” he said. “A lot of people haven’t encountered timber engineering before so it was a real experience.”

Again the architects were intrigued by the external finishes and detailing. Mr Mackel said: “The assumption at home is that we need to use hardwoods externally because of the weather, but now we realise softwoods can be used as long as people understand the maintenance issues.”

Engineered products

Last stop was Finnforest’s factory at Lohja for a presentation on laminated veneer lumber and ThermoWood, showing how engineered products can be used as both a structural and decorative material.

Barrie Todd of Todd and Partner Architects said: “I was interested in the utilisation of timber and how engineered timber can make it more adaptable to a whole range of building needs.

“We have seen some very brave, modern approaches to the utilisation of timber, but that isn’t to say the traditional way is wrong. I would like to know more about the finishes used and their longevity.”

Big influence

Summing up the trip Alan Cook said: “NITTA is bringing back to Ireland a lot of enthusiastic architects and I wouldn’t be surprised if some major architectural award doesn’t come out of this.”

And Mr Mackel added: “We have learned from this work in Finland and it will be a big influence on our way of working.”

Mr Brooks said: “We wanted to find a way to open the architects’ eyes to timber and its use and make them realise it isn’t just sawn timber but that there are a whole lot of developments within engineered timber which is a modern construction material.

“We are pushing an open door when it comes to talking about timber but we have got to be more proactive about addressing the issues.

“The big challenge for the timber industry in Northern Ireland now is being able to deliver the products these people have seen and want to specify,” added Mr Brooks.