Periscope Tower
Sector
Public
Location
Seinäjoki, Finland
Architect
OOPEAA
Team
Amanda Choi, Minori Kawakami, Jack Mieskalski
Professor
Mark Cruvellier
Class
Structural Systems
Periscope (noun): an apparatus consisting of a tube attached to a set of mirrors or prisms, by which an observer can see things that are otherwise out of sight.
The Periscope Tower in SEINÄJOKI, Finland, by OOPEAA is an observation tower that addresses the dialogue between human users and the pre-existing natural landscape. In an effort to reinvigorate a new residential area on the shore of Lake Kyrösjärvi, a man-made lake that controls local flooding and generates electric power, the Periscope tower aims to expand and connect recreational networks for anyone and everyone.
The Periscope Tower is designed with cross-laminated timber for its inner core and an external wooden frame that supports the structure. This choice not only keeps the design simple and natural but also makes the tower an inviting space where visitors can look out through its openings. The use of wood is both environmentally friendly and locally sourced, making it a sustainable material. Its lightweight appearance allows natural light to pass through, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for the public. The tower’s accessibility is further enhanced by its semi-transparent wooden frame and a pair of angled mirrors inside the hollow core, which let visitors standing at the base see the view from the top.
The tower's construction follows these ideas, using cross-laminated timber to allow for efficient prefabrication. The entire structure was built in three sections offsite and then assembled on location, making the construction process faster and more organized. This approach also makes it easier to understand how the tower was put together. Apart from a steel safety net, the exterior and stairs are made of larch wood, reinforcing the tower’s simple yet thoughtful wooden design.
