Situated on a cliff-top site eighteen metres above sea level, with spectacular views of the sea and the city of Helsinki, the ten-metre tower is a delicately transparent landmark for Korkeasaari Island. The free form is inspired by its natural setting: it follows the existing low stone wall and skirts around a small birch grove.
The load bearing gridshell structure consists of 72 gluelam battens, with timber sections of 60 mm x 60 mm bent and twisted on site from seven preformed types. Over 600 bolted joints hold the shell structure together. The tower was a HUT Wood Studio project in 2000-2002 and Ville’s graduation project.
- Location
- Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki
- Competition
- Student competition 1999, 1st prize Design and construction
- Design and construction
- 2000-2002
- Gross floor area
- 82 m²
- Client
- Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki City
- Photos
- Jussi Tiainen