pale snow, white wood

Avanto Architect's site is situated on a horse shoe shaped island that faces north and east. The Architects have decided upon a cross like shape villa for showcasing 4 very different views. The exterior is treated all black by contrast to the interior, which is very light. The idea of the dark color was to make the building disappear totally when seen from the lake. The building is insulated well and heated by wood but there is no running water and the electricity is provided by the sun. Vegetables and herbs are cultivated on site and the Vaskivesi Lake is known as a good place to catch a fish called pike-perch.

whale belly

The wish of the Parish of Jyväskylä was to build as a simple, sculptural form within which all of the church’s different functions could be contained. Lassila Hirvilammi oriented the church on hte East/West direction and it stands centrally on Kuokkala Square. The church is roofed and clad in overlapping slate tiles, with wood and copper details around the entrances supplement the overall visual aspect. Also, it is flanked by a granite stairway and walls which, together with the bell tower on the square, usher visitors towards the main entrance. The church is predominantly wooden. The church ceiling is a combined glulam frame and wooden gridshell construction, which visually integrates the separate hall spaces. The gridshell was assembled and laminated together in-situ in three sections.