City hall and cultural center photographed from the air in the direction of Mansikkala
The field museum is being built in the town hall.

The competition for the architectural design of the Wilderness and Nature Culture Museum has begun.

Release
21.1.2025 08:38
A complex focusing on nature experiences is being built along the Vuoksi River, around the Wilderness Museum.

Imatra was selected as the location for the Finnish Wildlife and Nature Museum in 2021 as the winner of a national competition. The museum project is now taking a significant step forward as the architectural competition for the City Hall premises is launched.

The museum is located in the architects' Arto Sipinen ja Mane Hetzer designed the Imatra Town Hall, an architecturally valuable and centrally located building. Located on the banks of the Vuoksi River, the town hall offers a unique setting for a museum that combines Finnish wilderness culture, sustainable development and modern tourism. 

The architectural quality and location of the City Hall make it a responsible and culturally significant choice for the museum. Utilizing the existing building promotes a circular economy and sustainable construction by reducing the environmental impact of new construction. 

–The town hall is an architecturally beautiful building and is located in a prominent location. We believe that the competition will arouse a lot of interest among professionals, says the mayor Matias Hilden.

The whole is built in stages

For competition This includes the property's architectural plans, HVAC design, and technical design required for museum operations. At the same time, the city hall will be completely renovated. 

–The Wilderness Museum is part of a nature experience complex located in Imatra along the Vuoksi River and will be implemented in stages. The architectural plans that are now being commissioned are one part of the preparation complex, says the CEO of the Wilderness Museum Foundation. Tea Laitimo says.

The architectural plans are being implemented as part of the Wilderness and Nature Museum Architectural Plans – JTF project, a joint project of the City of Imatra and the Finnish Wilderness Museum Foundation, funded by the Regional Government of South Karelia.

More information about the Wilderness and Nature Culture Museum:

CEO Tea Laitimo, Finnish Wilderness Museum Foundation, teaatimatra.fi (tea[dot]laitimo[at]imatra[dot]fi), P. 0400 156 677

Mayor Matias Hilden, City of Imatra, matias.hildenatimatra.fi (matias[dot]hilden[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 2200

More information about the competition:

Procurement Specialist Jesse Loisa, City of Imatra, jesse.loisaatimatra.fi (jesse[dot]loisa[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 1137

The Wilderness Heritage Museum of Finland

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Why is the museum important?

  1. A nationally significant project: The choice of Imatra as the location for the museum demonstrates the city's strength in developing nature tourism and culture.
  2. Strengthening the regional economy: The project brings jobs and vitality to the region and supports local businesses and entrepreneurs
  3. Tourism growth engine: The museum complements the offerings of Eastern Finland, attracting tourists nationally and internationally.
  4. Sustainable Development Forum: The museum emphasizes the balance between humans and nature, the circular economy, and responsible wilderness culture.