Catalogue 22/Eastern White Pine Pavilion Design

Part of Catalogue 22, Catalogue 22 on Google Maps

Designer: Natalie Petricca
Degree: B. Architecture
School: Carleton University
Year: 2011-2012
Location of Project: Rovaniemi, Finland
Project Status: Unbuilt

‘Rest Stop’ is sited in a secluded Eastern White Pine forest in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is customary in Finnish architecture to extend the threshold, and this was incorporated into the design, as the whole pavilion becomes a threshold, where the division between outside and inside is blurred. The use of the 3” x 3” posts in every aspect of the design mimic the powerful vertical members of the forest. The members are more dense along the south and west faces as this is the direction from which the prevailing winds blow, especially in the winter. They become more spread out and shorter along the north and east faces to capture the low morning light. The seating was specially designed to fit an average sized person and the incline of the back encourages one to gaze upwards to the phenomena of the Northern Lights in the winter months. The seating was placed with the backs towards the southwest so that in the winter when the wind blows from that direction one can sit and watch the Northern Lights and be comfortable and warm. During the winter, reindeer pelts could be placed over the chairs to make them even more comfortable. The shading provided by the horizontal elements creates a play of shadows on the seating and on the people sitting in them.