Restful grove

“I am an old functionalist,” declares architect Reino Huhtiniemi with a smile. “So my premise for the design of the VIP terminal at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was practicality; I thought about passenger flows and how to get people in and out as quickly as possible. And since we are dealing with visiting dignitaries, we also had to pay careful attention to security issues.”

The VIP President terminal was built in 1997 primarily for the use of the Finnish President and cabinet ministers and their guests.

“This was a challenging project for the architect, since this was in a way a “prime government site” – a window on Finland. It had to create a positive first impression of our country and also provide a pleasant atmosphere for departing guests.”

The architect says the speedy and inspiring planning stage resulted in a very Finnish-looking terminal both from outside and above. The main surface material is yellow Viitasaari granite – like a slice of Finnish rock. The heart of the building is the reception-cum-departures hall, the roof of which is supported by 14 alder columns reminiscent of trees in a forest. The “branches” of the trees stretch up to six or seven metres high, bringing the hall an air of the quiet dignity of a Finnish forest.

The impression of woodlands is continued in the choice of materials for the inner surfaces and furnishings, with soapstone, birch, alder, flamy birch, granite and sandblasted glass. Interior architect Kaarina Huhtiniemi took charge of the interior decor, her handiwork being evident in the amusing two-seat birch benche in the corridor leading to the conference rooms and presidential rest room.

The handsome facade on the air side is entirely of glass, its joints augmented with sheet copper. Aircraft can park directly in front of the VIP terminal door giving waiting hosts an excellent view of their arriving guests.

“The transparent facade expresses contact with the outer world,” quips Huhtiniemi