Pavilion, Helsinki

The pavilion consists of a base and terrace, the premises, pillars and a roofed area. The roofing is transparent, which lets the pavilion bathe in natural light. The pillars of the roofed area are set on thick plates placed on the gravel base. Each pillar is a six-pointed veneer plywood box structure. They are fixed together horizontally with rods. The box structure consists of core lattices made of structural timber, and 18 mm plywood with birch veneer surfaces. The restaurant/kitchen and media/film premises, which can be closed off, are built out of prefabricated laminated elements.

The pavilion will be open during the summer months, until mid-September. There are many kinds of events and discussions, plus films (weather permitting). The pavilion has a roof but no solid walls on its sides. The pavilion is advertised as sustainable, but a surprisingly large amount of wood was used for the main construction, which holds up the rather lightweight translucent plastic roof covering.

The benches have been designed by architect Philip Tidwell. The very 'recycled' furniture in the pavilion itself is designed and manufactured by Martela and Trash Design. The pavilion's events programme is coordinated by Demos Helsinki.

The pavilion is located on the very spot where – until now, and without any substantial result – there have been many efforts to build an annex/expansion for the museums, which are both desperately in need of more exhibition space and other state-of-the-art museum facilities. The MFA has, during the last decades, been accused of elitism and keeping a distance from the general public. At least the museums now have a space also visible on the street level.

Tickets for the museum exhibitions can be bought from the pavilion. For more information about the programme, location, opening hours and events see also:

www.mfa.fi