Wood, natural light define new soldier’s home in Niinisalo garrison

Construction of a new soldier’s home in Niinisalo, western Finland, is set to begin later this year and be completed by the end of 2027, Yle reports.

The building will be located outside the garrison area near the old garrison club. It will feature natural-coloured logs and a wooden facade, with architecture emphasising wood, natural light and a look suited to the garrison environment, said Joonas Hallman, customer manager at Puolustuskiinteistöt, the defence properties agency.

Large windows will face a nearby lake, bringing the landscape indoors, Hallman added.

The new facility will include a dining hall for around 300 people, production spaces and lounges, covering more than 1,500 square metres. Hallman described it as a multi-million-euro investment intended to serve conscripts and staff for decades.

The current soldier’s home, built in the 1930s, will be demolished once the new one is operational. A demolition permit has been granted by the Finnish Heritage Agency, as the building has reached the end of its service life.

Satu Mustalahti, executive director of the Sotilaskotiliitto association, said the last soldier’s home of comparable size was built more than 30 years ago: the one designed by architect Osmo Lappo in Parolannummi, completed in 1988.

Only three of Finland’s 28 soldier’s homes are located outside garrison gates – in Niinisalo, Sodankylä and Parolannummi. The Niinisalo facility will remain open to civilians.

The Border Guard renewed its Onttola soldier’s home a few years ago, and a small one is under development in Siilinjärvi’s Rissala area.