OOPEAA's wooden observation tower sits by man-made lake in finland

OOPEAA’s wooden observation tower sits by man-made lake in finland

emerging from the shore of a manmade lake in seinäjoki, finland, ‘the periscope tower’ is a wooden observation tower constructed by OOPEAA for part of a large landscape project for this year’s seinäjoki housing fair.

all images © OOPEAA

recently opened to the public, the helsinki-based firm inserted a large mirror into the observation tower enabling 360 degree views of the surrounding, pristine landscape. made entirely of wood, the tower is composed of an inner core of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and an external wooden frame that serves as a load bearing structure. the inner CLT core forms the frame for an extra large periscope with stairs circling around it. as visitors take the stairs up or down, they can experience a range of different views framed by the various openings cut into the structure.

the building is composed of an inner core of cross-laminated timber

the tower is composed of three prefabricated elements with the roof forming a fourth element. the façades and the stairs are made of larch and the details made of steel. the concept was to create a simple wooden structure of high quality in a way that supports learning and reflects a commitment to empowering and strengthening the local community. the project hopes to activate the dam around the lake and in turn, evolve it into a recreational area for the residents of the new neighborhood.

OOPEAA also inserted a large mirror so more views can be received

at the top of the tower there is a viewing deck with integrated seating

 lake kyrösjärvi was createdto help keep the flooding in the plains under control and generate energy

the details and the security netting are of steel

openings cut from the structure frame views of the surrounding landscape

visitors can climb the

view from the forest

the periscope tower, OOPEAA

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