The extension, built from wood and log, has been a source of joy for the Pirttiranta Nursery in Nivala since autumn 2024. According to the nursery’s director, Marjut Parhiala, the extension replaced an old building that had reached the end of its lifecycle.
“Users specifically requested a log building for its healthy indoor air and acoustics, as we were aware of positive experiences shared by education professionals. Additionally, the city’s construction technology experts saw log as a good choice of material,” Parhiala explains the reasoning behind the material selection.
The extension has lived up to expectations of providing a safe and healthy environment and has become a source of pride for the nursery’s community.
“The log environment immediately felt comfortable and cosy. The noise levels have also decreased and softened,” Parhiala describes the users’ experiences.
Adaptability of log buildings extends their lifespan and usability
The benefits of Pirttiranta’s log-built nursery go beyond good indoor air quality, acoustics, and comfort. Finnlamelli’s log building is designed to be relocatable, either as a whole or in parts, and can be modified for new purposes, such as housing. This flexibility further extends the building’s lifecycle.
“Sustainable wood materials and modular design allow for repurposing the building as demographic needs change. As this has also been considered in Järvikylä’s log school, we now have quite a few options,” Nivala’s mayor Päivi Karikumpu states.
In addition, DEN Finland Oy provided wood-framed building elements for a maintenance building at the Pyssymäki Sports Centre, which was completed in 2024.
Wood and log align with the city’s sustainability goals
The extension is connected by a passageway to the nursery building from the 1980s. The spacious dining hall is constructed of wood, while the main nursery spaces are log-built. According to Karikumpu, wood construction fits perfectly into the city’s strategy.
“One of our goals is ensuring a safe everyday life and the well-being of residents. Sustainable development is a cornerstone of Nivala’s strategy, and a safe, healthy, and adaptable log building supports our objectives exceptionally well,” Karikumpu remarks.
When properly designed and protected, log as a construction material is long-lasting. Numerous studies have highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of wood for well-being.
Sustainability is also a core value of early childhood education nationwide. The renewable wood raw material supplied by UPM Timber for the nursery is sourced from responsibly managed forests, and the company’s sawmills are certified with PEFC (PEFC/02-34-05) and FSC™ Chain of Custody (FSC C086359) to ensure traceability. In building structures, wood stores carbon dioxide throughout its lifecycle.
Introducing growth of renewable resources
UPM Timber donated tree seedlings to the nursery children, allowing them to see firsthand how trees grow, and forests renew themselves.
“At the opening event, the children took the seedlings home in pots to plant,” Parhiala says, describing an activity well aligned with Nivala’s slogan, “Growing the Future.”
The Pirttiranta nursery is an example of safe and healthy wood construction, where renewable wood and long-term planning go hand in hand to meet the evolving needs of society.
