HILA pavilion is part of the summer workshop series at the Faculty of architecture, University of Oulu, Finland. The students of architecture created the concept and constructed HILA at the Kiikeli island, located right in front of the city center, in summer of 2014.
HILA is a prominent landmark towards the city, where it can be seen from the market square. It is located on a small residential island, next to a popular park and accessible via bridge or a boat. Viewed from inside, the curved openings on the sides of the pavilion frame beautiful views towards the Oulu river delta, which gradually flows in to the Baltic Sea. HILA contemplates the relationship between nature and architecture – their complexity, structure, shape and transparency.
In Finnish hila means lattice, and the pavilion construction is a synthesis of an innovative three dimensional wooden lattice structure and architecture. The rectangular outer form is carved by a freeform inner void and the revealed structure inside creates a lace-like appearance. This appearance is amplified by the complex shadows it forms on itself and on the ground. The distribution of the vertical wooden beams is denser on the outer layer in order to have a more solid appearance when viewed from distance.
The concepts of the form and structure of the HILA pavilion were conceived within a four day design workshop by students and specialists. The workshop was held in collaboration with the Oulu University’s DigiWoodLab project, which aims to develop and research methods for designing wooden structures and architecture using algorithm aided design methods and computerized manufacture in collaboration with Finnish wood industry. Hila pavilion was designed using parametric modeling tools, which allowed for a very fast design time. The design, analysis and fabrication of the pavilion took place within four weeks.
The pavilion is 5x5x4 meters and the wood used in the structure is untreated 60x60mm planed spruce. The wooden lattice is connected by simple crosslap joints. The tight slots in joining members together with the bolt connection brace the structure so no additional diagonal bracing is needed. HILA pavilion consists of 397 prefabricated wooden beams and 1027 joints. All wooden parts were fabricated using a 5-axis CNC milling machine intended for the milling of timber for log houses. The HILA pavilion was assembled on site in five days, without using any power tools.
CREDITS
Coordinator: Toni Österlund
DigiWoodLab: Tuulikki Tanska, Toni Österlund and Professor Matti Sanaksenaho
University of Oulu, Faculty of architecture: Antti Karsikas and Janne Pihlajaniemi
Structural engineers: Professor Mikko Malaska (Oulu Uni) and Teuvo Merikäinen (Sweco Oy)
CNC fabrication: Tapani Kiiskinen (TimberBros Oy)
Students:
Jenni Ervasti, Heljä Finnilä, Aki Hirvikangas, Janne Hovi, Sonja Immonen, Marjaana Juujärvi, Sinja Kaipainen, Vilma Karjalainen, Niko Kotkavuo, Sini Kourunen, Pyry Kujanpää, Panu-Petteri Kujala, Laura Lammert, Aino Lampinen, Pauliina Laurila, Samu Leppänen, Niko Liias, Veera Limingoja, Liljastiina Luminiitty, Hanna Mattila, Karoliina Mäenpää, Roope Määttä, Juho Ojala, Niko Okkonen, Jere Paalanen, Juuso Pajukko, Eeva-Liisa Peteri, Heidi Peura, Anna Pietilä, Iiro Ristikankare, Laura Rontu, Julia Rytkönen, Miia Sahlberg, Saara Savolainen, Senni Suhonen, Laura Tiainen, Salla Törmänen, Auri Vallinmäki and Vilho Vähämäki