The purpose of this project was twofold. On one hand, it sought to soften the stark, brutalist appearance of a canopy made of exposed concrete; on the other, it aimed to create a visually engaging and psychologically inviting effect for the children attending Käpälämäen Päiväkoti kindergarten.
We opted for a design based on a flowing, undulating contour, intended as a counterpoint to the building’s strict geometric order. Each piece wraps around both lateral sides of each beam, creating a rhythm of visually intriguing surfaces when viewed from the courtyard entrance.
The three chosen colours—light blue, deep blue, and white—evoke the planet’s two ethereal elements: sky and water. To break monotony and enhance the visual diversity, we worked with just two geometric shapes, combined in every possible chromatic pairing. This choice made strong compositional sense while also streamlining every stage of production. The result is a striking visual impact achieved with minimal construction cost.
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Located next to Lahti’s iconic ski jumps and sports center, Kotimetsä offers nature-based early education in a uniquely central yet peaceful setting. Easily accessible from across the city and nearby Hollola, it combines urban convenience with forest calm.
Children aged 0–6 learn in small, nurturing groups with a homelike feel. Outdoor play and forest adventures are part of the daily rhythm, fostering independence, creativity, and physical confidence. Sustainability is integrated into everyday life, with playful lessons in recycling, energy use, and environmental care.
Parents appreciate the thoughtful details, like high-quality outdoor gear provided and maintained by the daycare. With its mix of warmth, accessibility, and nature connection, Kotimetsä offers a strong, enriching start to early childhood.
I chose to contrast the rigid geometry of the space with more fluid shapes. Curved and wavy lines offered the most suitable solution. Initially, I proposed irregularly placed shapes of birds, plants, and animals on the background, but after several rounds of idea filtering with the client, we decided on cloud forms - easily recognizable by children and visually calming. Dividing each element into smaller sections helped minimize material waste. All parts needed to be removable and reinstallable, which required a very specific technical solution.
Painting was done in stages, and the large volume of work allowed it to be organized into three distinct batches. The mounting system was already tested during the painting phase for each individual piece. Labeling codes were essential to maintaining consistency throughout the entire process.
All 16 elements were first assembled on the ground. Then, for each one, the Konto material components - designed to receive the plastic screws - were glued onto the concrete beams. An unexpected challenge came from the varying dimensions of the beams, which required individual adjustments for almost every element.
Virgil Niiranen virgil.niiranen@fusionwall.fi 0445535572