Pudasjärvi Log Campus

The city of Pudasjärvi in Northern Finland decided to build a school campus that combined modern design with the local identity while also supporting new ways of learning. The world’s largest log-built school accommodates 800 students, comprising a primary and secondary school, a high school, an adult education centre and a school gym.

The timber structure was selected because of its breathability and the pleasant atmosphere characteristic of timber building. For a city known for its diverse nature, the use of timber was also a question of public image. The pine timber is supplied by a local manufacturer and the timber is sourced from within an 80-kilometre radius of the construction site. Linoleum was a natural choice for the architect to use together with the log timber, because linoleum is also made of natural materials and it contributes to a good indoor air quality.