Starting point

Pallastunturi Starting Gate was designed to replace the demolished former nature centre with a completely new concept.

Location

The building is located in a landscape‑ and cultural‑historically significant area of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, within the grounds of the listed Hotel Pallas. It sits in a central position where all surrounding routes and trails converge.

Solution

The new starting gate building serves as an information point, rest stop, and support facility for visitors to the national park, as well as a symbolic gateway to the area. It is open around the clock and is primarily unmanned.

The building integrates naturally into the environment of the listed hotel.

The building includes public toilets, a small kitchen for hikers, and both indoor and outdoor information and exhibition elements. These provide insights into the area’s unique features and promote responsible hiking.

The compact interior is complemented by extensive canopies that offer shelter and additional space for lounging.

The starting gate’s contemporary design language reinterprets traditional forms with a diagonally rotated gabled roof and versatile use of timber.

The gate theme reveals itself from several approaches and guides visitors through the structure when departing, arriving, or simply passing by.

The weathering, thermally modified spruce surfaces of the interior and canopy areas reference the appearance of wilderness huts and blend naturally into the national park landscape.

The dark roof and dark ends of the building echo the architecture of the hotel and emphasise the gate theme.

photos Hannu Rytky