This wooden office building covering an area of 13 300 m˛ belongs to Finnforest (the Finnish wooden construction and building corporation), and is the largest in its category in Europe. Everything is made of laminated wood, while the main cladding is made of laminated planks. Only the lift shaft, the cellar and the exit stairs are made of concrete. Kerto LVL is used in the carcass and the visible structures of the building, and represents the possibilities of wood in advanced applications. The architectural aspect consists of rectangular modules, reminiscent of a stack of sawn construction timber. At one end, a conical module with a sunshade shows the ability of the wood to adapt to the structures.

The aim was to prove that prefabricated wood products can be an efficient solution for medium-sized office buildings, in terms of programme, costs and execution. Architect Pekka Helin is confident about the popularity of wood in contemporary projects. "This renewable construction material reduces carbon dioxide emissions and stores heat. It can meet today's architectural requirements for more human structures that are better for the environment." Indeed, the ecological aspects were taken into account most carefully at every stage, from planning to construction and use.

This ambitious project proves that for architects in the 21 st century, wood is a fascinating material which, when facing new challenges, is firmly turned towards the future.

FMO Tapiola is the winner of the Wood Award 2006, an annual award in Finland that honours high quality architecture where wood is used in a way that encourages new construction technologies.