To be exact, the word “hotel” is misleading. Designed by Pieta-Linda Auttila, the WISA Wooden Design Hotel in Helsinki is not a real a hotel, but a statement. Its purpose is to make wood architecture, wood building and wood design worldwide topics of conversation. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is ecology.


The WISA Wooden Design Hotel was made to attract attention. That’s why it sits almost in the middle of the city. From the direction of the Market Square, the WISA Wooden Design Hotel looks like a sculpture. It was not made to merge into the landscape, hide in the shade of trees or disappear into a hole in the rock. It’s not shy or unsociable. That would be impossible, surrounded as it is by the white Nordic capital. It was made to be seen by all.


The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is an outstanding example of wood’s versatility. Here, wood works both as a load- bearing structure and decor in walls, ceilings and floors. Could it be that wood is making a comeback once again? Historically, it has been a very short time since entire cities in Finland and the rest of Scandinavia were built out of wood. Why not today and tomorrow? It makes sense that there should be a greater demand for wood now than perhaps ever before. It is good for the climate.


The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is based on the winning proposal of the WISA 24h Wooden Design Workshop competition organised by UPM. It’s a temporary building that will remain in place in Valkosaari in Helsinki’s South Harbour until the end of September 2009. The building can provide overnight accommodation for a few people at a time. The interior space is 30 m2, excluding the courtyard. The WISA Wooden Design Hotel has been built with respect for the environment. No decision has yet been made on its next use.


Photos: WISA Wooden Design Hotel, UPM