The lower ceiling of the expanded Terminal 2 at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, located in Finland, has received the International Award for Wood Architecture 2022. Both the inside and the outside wooden ceilings are coated in Teknos AQUATOP 2600-90 translucent topcoat in a matt finish. In describing the winning entrant, the award judges praised the design for its ambition and craftsmanship, commenting, “visually, the ceiling has a unified feel due to the uncompromising finishing and uniform surface treatment” (Wood Award, Puuinfo). They also acknowledged the calming effect of wood and its use as a building material in the hectic environment of an airport.  

Manufactured by Raision Puusepät Oy, a total of 7700 m² of wood was used in the roof of the departure hall, the outside box, and around the skylight of the terminal. The wavy shape of the roof is made of thousands of curved wooden elements, and was one of the most challenging assignments for Raisio Puusepi. The shape of the wooden roof is made of multi-layer wooden boards, the most visible surface of which is low-branched spruce. The wooden boards are supported by a hidden pine frame, which is in turn attached to the steel structures. The wooden boards are coated in Teknos water-based, tinted AQUATOP 2600-90 varnish. 

"We use an airmix automatic spraying line, and the surface treatment went through without any problems. I am satisfied with Teknos' customer service and technical support, because even though we used about 13,000 liters of paint, the product and tinting were always of uniform quality," says Jari Saarinen, Raisio's joinery production manager.

The project was constructed in accordance with the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent environmental rating, which looks at the ecology of buildings, including a requirement for very low-VOC-emissions in surface treatment products.

For more information, visit: www.teknos.com.