-
Architects: Digiwoodlab Project, University Of Oulu Students
- Year: 2014
-
Structural Engineers: Oulu Uni, Sweco, Mikko Malaska, Teuvo Merikäinen
Text description provided by the architects. HILA pavilion is part of the summer workshop series at the University of Oulu, Faculty of architecture. 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 pavilion is a synthesis of a three dimensional wooden lattice structure (hila in Finnish) and architecture, in which the rectangular base form is carved by a freeform inner void. The revealed wooden structure creates a lace-like appearance inside the pavilion, which is amplified by the complex shadows it forms. Viewed from inside, the openings on the sides of the pavilion frame beautiful views towards the river delta area, and the pavilion itself is shown as a prominent landmark towards the city.
The concepts of the form and structure of the HILA pavilion were conceived within a four day design workshop by students and specialists. 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.
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. 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.
