Arctic architecture: The Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos | Inari | Finland by HALO Architects
Sami Cultural Centre Sajos is located in northern part of Finnish Lappland, in village of Inari, on the southern bank of river Juutua. Sajos is the centre of culture and administration for the Sámi, the only indigenous people in European Union. Sajos is the centre of Sámi culture and administration. The Sámi Parliament’s main office and parliament hall are located in the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos as well as other Sámi organizations.
Front view from the main entrance.
The cultural centre is formed roughly as a cross, creating different yards facing natural or man-made attractions in the near surroundings, which creates a connection of the building to it's environment. The architects shaped the building in a way to avoid harming old trees on the plot, as they grow very slowly on the latitudes of Inari, due to the low temperatures in the Arctic Circle.
Side yard and back view facing the Juutuanjoki River.
In the building, various functions are situated in their designated wings, creating a spacious and interconnected lobby area at the center. This distinctive area is defined by the prominent, circular structures of the parliament hall and the auditorium. The building accommodates eight distinct organizations, each with a diverse range of functions. These include the Sámi parliament hall, a versatile auditorium equipped for cinema screenings and acoustic concerts with interpretation capabilities, a multipurpose hall, meeting rooms, a restaurant, library, archives, audio-video studio with editing facilities, as well as classrooms and offices.
The decision to extensively incorporate wood was a natural one for a building aiming to embody the essence of Sámi culture. The exterior is characterized by imposing, floor-to-roof vertical panels arranged in alignment with the eaves. These panels impart a solid, singular impression to the structure, offering different levels of openness and intricacy, depending on the observer's vantage point. Beneath the panels, the exterior is covered in vertical boards and glass. All the timber used in the exterior is spruce, treated with iron sulfate.