Oulu Logistic Center | Apostol Florin

       Dear Mr. Santa Clauss,
      

       This is our proposal for the logistics center in Finland, our vision for a construction that belongs to the future. Flexibility, innovation, sustainability, use of new materials / technologies, the dialogue with the environment and the bond with the community, all of these represent attributes of the following century. Our main purpose was to reach three major goals: find solutions that responds to the requirements of integration into the landscape, creating a landmark that will help the revitalization of the area, second, an idea that will help changing general public perception over logistics centers and the last, the creation of an atrium, an urban foyer which will become the heart of the building.
        Therefore, discovering the box and looking outside of it, the organic construction shape was modeled according the guidelines of the site. As a first step, we chose logistics center layout with the storage positioned vertically and truck parking area moved into the basement. Most centers of this type are arranged horizontally and parking areas occupies a lot of space; so we decided to give back that space to nature and community.
        In order to create dynamic spaces that communicate and reveal themselves, we preferred to position the main storage spaces insider the walls of construction and the reception area, the restaurant, the garden with recreation areas , the meeting rooms, office area etc. to be contained in the atrium, creating a whole. The four main storages are divided into cube shaped modules with a side of five meters, which unite and form larger or smaller storage spaces, as needed.   These modules are made out with the help of RUUKKI : metal panels and steel frames, arranged and supported by a steel structure. The cubes are moving orthogonal (up-down or left-right), sliding through special mechanisms.

       The organic shaped exterior walls of the building are perforated in order to see outside the movement of these mechanisms and the motion of the illuminated modules. Inside, through their active movement, the storage cubes become a living part of the inner show, and the atrium visitors can see how modules are assembled and how it moves from one floor to another till basement (where are located the parking area, workshop places, technical areas and changing rooms).

       The main shape of the building has evolved from a basic rectangular mass. A regular logistic center stands on the ground having a simple form. The mass of the Oulu Logistic center grows from beneath the ground level just like the birth of a plant. The final form is unique and hides the main function. However because the loading and unloading bays are underground the visitors can see the process through the oppenings on the ground, created near the construction.

       The atrium is a meeting place, the living heart of the building, that can host many types of activities. It is a large space just because we wanted to change the old image of logistics centers, making a dynamic and alive building, with unique and flexible spaces . Also the viewers can observe inside the atrium, a big sphere which has an inner garden with recreation areas, a restaurant with spectacular interior and exterior views, meeting rooms, with the last floor of the sphere that hosts the main room of Mr Santa Clauss.
       The office spaces were placed in the extremities of the building, with access to the garden and recreation spaces.
       Horizontal elevators were created in order to get easier from one side to the other side of the construction. Main traffic nodes of the logistical center are located near main entrances.

       Gladly, Mr Santa Claus we are offering you this new type of flexible multifunctional space, a real factory which is constantly changing: with a large atrium to accommodate your many visitors and guests, a centered Christmas globe hanging from a similar three structure, with your main room , at the last sphere floor where you can watch everybody from up there, with spectacular views from inside and outside and with modular illuminated storage spaces that are like gifts that seem waiting to be sent.

Oulu Logistic Center, “Unbelievable Challenge”; Oulu, Finland