The building known as Pikku-Finlandia is owned by the City of Helsinki, which developed the space in collaboration with students and teachers from Aalto University’s Department of Architecture, Wood Program, and Building Design Studio. Once relocated to Medialukio, the building will look like this. Illustration: Renell Käppi Arkkitehdit Oy.
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Helsinki is moving forward with an unusual construction project that will see Pikku-Finlandia relocated to serve as an extension for Medialukio, a high school in Tapulikaupunki. The plan aims to provide additional space for the growing student population while also testing the use of relocatable buildings in public infrastructure.
The expansion project is set for final approval and decision-making in the coming weeks.
Medialukio’s student numbers are expected to increase by more than 200, necessitating additional facilities. The school’s current temporary pavilion will be replaced with Pikku-Finlandia, which will be permanently installed on the site and connected to the main school building via a corridor. The relocated structure will house essential facilities, including the school’s kitchen and cafeteria.
Preparatory work on the site is scheduled to begin in autumn 2025, with the building transfer starting in January 2026. Pikku-Finlandia will continue to operate at its current location in Töölönlahti until the end of 2025. The city is also seeking a zoning exemption to accommodate the extension at Medialukio’s location.
Originally built as a temporary space during Finlandia Hall’s renovation, Pikku-Finlandia was designed with adaptability and sustainability in mind. The wooden structure aligns with Helsinki’s circular economy goals, making it possible to repurpose the building for educational or daycare use. Only part of the structure will be relocated to Medialukio, while the remaining sections are planned to be moved to Tali Sports Park for use as changing facilities.
“This project gives us valuable experience in how relocatable buildings can be used in public service construction. It allows us to expand school facilities with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to new construction,” says project director Mari Koskinen.
The plan will be discussed by the city’s buildings and public areas committee on 6 February before moving to the city council for final approval. The full project plan will be published on 3 February as part of the committee’s agenda.
The estimated construction costs for the expansion, excluding VAT, are €13.2 million based on November 2024 pricing. While Helsinki owns the structure, the name Pikku-Finlandia is managed by Finlandia Hall, meaning the building will no longer carry the same name once relocated.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
