(UPM, Helsinki, 20 March 2012) – The design capital year offers various meeting opportunities to general public, communities, media and international experts in Helsinki, Finland. The highlight of the summer and a meeting place will be a wooden pavilion mainly made from UPM materials. The construction period will start in mid-March and last until the end of April.
The building has a table-like canopy structure with two interior spaces (a café and a lecture room) located under the canopy. The shape and geometry of the interior spaces is based on the same triangular module of the canopy. The pavilion consists of eight columns. The beams and columns of the canopy are box structures with cores made from structural timber and outer panels from plywood. Prefabrication of the wooden elements has already started. The floor is made from pine. On the yard there will be composite terraces.
- The Pavilion is a great example of how UPM wood products and composites create a material basis of top design. During the design year we will emphazise our forerunnership in bioeconomy and raise the possibilities of ecobuilding. The Pavilion gives us excellent framework, says Ms Elisa Nilsson, VP, Brand Management, UPM.
- This whole year of design offers all of us experiences, meetings and possibilities to develop city culture. The Pavilion is a unique meeting place to have debates around design issues. It is yet another proof of powerful co-operation within the design world. Furthermore, the Pavilion connects two museums in an interesting way, says Mr Pekka Timonen, Director, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.
The contemporary building is a key part of the official programme for World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. The Pavilion will be located at an empty lot between Design Museum and Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki. It will be open from May until September. The Pavilion offers free programme for visitors and all who are interested in design capital. The programme will be published at the end of April.
The Pavilion will be a result of collaboration among many stakeholders. The concept has been designed by Aalto University’s Department of Architecture, a wood studio and Department of Design. Construction of the building and its wooden elements will be conducted by Stara, a dedicated service provider of the City of Helsinki.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Elisa Nilsson, VP, Brand Management, UPM, elisa.nilsson@upm.com, tel. +358 40 500 3150
Ms Kaarina Gould, Director, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012, kaarina.gould@wdchelsinki2012.fi, tel. +358 400 350 505
UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 (0)40 588 3284
media@upm.com
www.twitter.com/UPM_News
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
UPM & design
As a frontrunner of bio and forest industry UPM takes part in design by developing new sustainable materials and businesses, which inspires architects and designers. UPM promotes sustainable construction and sees it as a key factor in creating healthy, safe and comfortable built environments in a responsible manner.
UPM is one of the main corporate partners for World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. Showcasing UPM wood products and composites the Pavilion is a unique meeting place and a key part of the official WDC Helsinki 2012 programme.
The Pavilion results from a collaboration between UPM, Aalto University, Design Museum, Museum of Finnish Architecture and World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 foundation.
UPM & Design press kit available at: www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/Press-kits
See also: www.wdchelsinki2012.fi/en