Type: Public - healthcare

Location: Ruukki, Finland

Year: Completion 2013

Size: 1010 br-m2

Collaboration with Martti Karsikas

Curated for La Biennale di Venezia 2016 - Nordic pavillion: "In therapy"

2015 wood award candidate in Finland (www.woodarchitecture.fi)

Published widely in international and domestic architectural publications: ARK -Finnish architectural review, Archdaily, Dezeen, Architizer etc.

New Health clinic in Ruukki is a sympathetic small-scale public building.   Crescent form creates a small square in front of it's entrance and makes it possible to group dental care, health care, and child health care as distinct - but connected - units around the central lobby. Opening up the shape of the corridors towards the central core lessens negative institutional connotations usually linked to doctor's offices and opens views inside the building.  At the same time circulation-space will be more generous where most people will visit and beds and exam-tables are being moved.

From the main entrance side the outside of the building appears invigorating and attractive. Ample eaves protect the cladding from weather and connect the embracing, free-form wall to the older buildings with it's stern but polite profile. Other facades are stylishly nonchalant and functional with ribbon windows providing therapeutic forest-scapes to the interior, alongside natural light. In the interiors, Finnish birch-veneer and white lattice-themed walls create an emphatic and bright spatial experience, with posture from aluminium details that are familiar from the exterior detailing.