The Kierikki Centre is a museum, an archaeological base and information centre in Yli-li, North Ostrobothnia. The building could be described as a postscript to the Stone Age and a modern-day equivalent of the fortified trading post that stood on the island of Kierikkisaari opposite it 5000 years ago. The building material (log), construction technique (notched corner joints) and the geometry of the building (stepped pyramid) could all have belonged to an ancient culture. Typological references to our ancient log fortifications can also be detected. As the presently dark-colored building takes on the patina of time it will perhaps look like a relic that has always stood there.
The log frame is constructed of pine logs from Lapland, which have been pre-cut at the factory to a format of 22 cm in thickness and 22-35 cm in height. The natural taper and length of the logs have been retained. So the construction technology and appearance are as close to traditional models as is possible using industrial methods. Hand hewing was rejected by the client due to the considerable size of the building.
The color of the logs, the surface texture, joints and construction technique dominate the architecture of the building. The proportions are based on a 2.9 m x 2.9 m grid, which has been defined on the basis of the dimension of the felled logs (5.8 m) and lateral stiffening of the walls. Heavy logs have a tendency to warp when they dry. To control this, the exterior walls were built using the strong saddle notch corner joint and to a lesser extent the hidden dovetail corner joint. In the walls of the assembly hail there are also traditional dovetail joints, which go through the depth of the log.
The spaces have been grouped according to their symbolic value. In the centre is the assembly hall surrounded by an exhibition gallery, while the perimeter zone is reserved for auxiliary spaces and secluded courtyards. Visitors enter the
