Wow-Architecture in a Finnish Forest
Main image: Restaurant, Serlachius Museum Gösta. Mänttä, Finland. Photo by Laura Vesa.
Tucked away at the end of a gravel road in Mänttä, Central Finland, you’ll find something truly unexpected: a remarkable fine arts museum. Serlachius Museum is not just a place to see art—it’s a journey into the vision of a man who believed deeply in the power of culture and nature. Founded by Gösta Serlachius (1876–1942), a wealthy forest tycoon and passionate art collector, the museum was meant to be a sanctuary for Finnish art.
During the 1930s, Serlachius began planning his dream—visiting museums across Europe and studying modern architectural trends. He commissioned an English-style manor designed by Jarl Eklund and a functionalist office building by Valter and Bertel Jung. But fate had other plans. Serlachius died before the project could be completed, and the war delayed progress for decades.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the first part of the museum opened in the manor house, displaying pieces from Serlachius’ vast collection. Twenty years later, the original office building was transformed into a second museum space, expanding the vision of its founder. With the addition of contemporary art, the museum became a cultural hub, especially during its annual summer exhibitions, which draw visitors from all over to enjoy both art and the serene lakeside setting.
The Secto lamps play with the alteration of material and emptiness. Photo by Laura Vesa.
As the museum grew, so did the need for more space. The Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation launched an international competition for an extension to the historic manor. The winning design came from MX_SI, a Barcelona-based firm, and the new structure was named The Pavilion. Designed by Héctor Mendoza, Mara Partida, and Boris Bezan, it quickly gained recognition for its innovative architecture and earned several awards.
The interiors of The Pavilion were crafted with the same attention to detail as its exterior. When designing the lobby and restaurant, the architects chose to work with Secto Design, drawn by their use of ecological materials and clean, architectural forms. The result was a seamless blend of function and beauty, where the Secto lamps echoed the rhythm of the building’s glass and wood elements.
The Secto lamps resonate with the composition and spirit of the Pavilion. Photo by Laura Vesa.
During the design process, MX_SI explored various lamp models, but the classic Secto 4200 emerged as the perfect choice. Its sleek black form created a striking visual contrast in the museum’s restaurant, while the warm light added a welcoming atmosphere. The wooden finish of the lamps connected the interior with the surrounding forest, enhancing the sense of harmony between the built environment and nature.
Architect Seppo Koho, the designer behind the Secto lamps, sees the museum as a natural fit for their design: “It’s not just about the material or the form. It’s about shared innovation and a deep respect for craftsmanship.â€
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