As the name Metsä Pavilion implies, the wooden building is constructed of Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber). The pavilion was planned by Helin & Co Architects. The Metsä Pavilion is Business Finland’s project and Metsä Group is the main partner.

‘The Metsä Pavilion provides a unique chance for Finnish companies to show their expertise and make Finland known in Japan. Historically, the pavilion is one of the biggest investments Business Finland has made in the Japanese market. It is also a great way to contribute to the success of the games, and the Japanese really respect it’, says Petri Tulensalo, Head of Sports Cluster at Business Finland.

Prefabricated elements in standard sizes

The quick pace of constructing the Metsä Pavilion stems from many things. The Kerto LVL elements, columns, and beams were prefabricated at the Timberpoint element factory in Loviisa, Finland. It took just seven weeks to produce them.

It was also easy to minimise waste as the Kerto LVL elements, columns, and beams were produced in standard sizes that fit the Kerto LVL production lines and Timberpoint’s factory.

‘It is an innovative thing that the element producer shared his expertise with the structural designer before the planning started. In general, we all had the will to create together the best possible Metsä Pavilion’, says Björman.

The wall elements are made of Kerto LVL T-studs  and Kerto LVL Q-panels. The roof and intermediate floor elements are made using Kerto LVL S-beams and Q-panels.

Strong to resist wind and earthquake loads

The Metsä Pavilion’s load-bearing structure consists of Kerto LVL. The structure is planned to resist the strong winds and potential earthquakes in Japan.

‘The roof elements add rigidity to the structure and transmit the wind and earthquake loads through the walls to the foundation. An additional diagonal support ensures the stability of the connections in between the roof and columns’, says Lasse Hietanen, Project Manager at AINS Group, who planned the structural design of the Metsä Pavilion.

Finnish norms applied

The Metsä Pavilion is built according to the Finnish fire-safety norms, because the construction site is owned by the State of Finland.  

Jussi Björman states that many proven solutions were used to make the building fire safe. The Kerto LVL structures have a 30-minute fire resistance rating. The exits are situated at both ends of the building so a sprinkler system wasn’t needed.

New kind of pavilion

The Metsä Pavilion has met the expectations of Business Finland and Metsä Wood. The pavilion is proof that stylish buildings can be constructed from prefabricated wooden elements. It is also a great example of industrial efficiency. 

‘We are pleased that the Metsä Pavilion will serve Finnish companies and athletes in a new way compared to previous pavilions. The hosts can organise all kinds of events, concerts and meetings there in addition to parties. We are really proud of the end-result’, highlights Björman.

Meetings, seminars, brunches, evening gatherings, and many more events will be hosted in the Metsä Pavilion, representing Finland as an innovative, functional, and responsible country.

‘We are happy that many companies have decided to bring their events to the Metsä Pavilion, where wood meets nature scenery on the walls, world-class audio, and design furniture – all from Finland’, adds Tulensalo.

In the evening, one can see the illuminated Tokyo Tower from the terrace.