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 unexpected—a stunning fine arts museum that feels like a hidden gem. The Serlachius Museum is more than just an art space; it’s a tribute to Finnish culture and artistic vision. This remarkable place was born from the dreams of Gösta Serlachius (1876–1942), a wealthy forest industrialist and passionate art collector who wanted to create a sanctuary for Finnish art.

During the 1930s, he traveled across Europe, studying modern museum architecture and gathering inspiration. Back home, he commissioned an English-style manor designed by Jarl Eklund and a functionalist head office by Valter and Bertel Jung. Though he never lived to see his dream fully realized—due to his untimely death and the disruptions of war—the foundation was laid for what would become one of Finland’s most cherished cultural landmarks.

The Secto lamps play with the alteration of material and emptiness. Photo by Laura Vesa.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that the first part of the museum opened, showcasing pieces from Serlachius’ private collection. A few decades later, the original head office was also transformed into a museum space. With the addition of modern and contemporary art, the Serlachius Museum became a true success, drawing visitors from all over the world, especially during its popular summer exhibitions held in the serene lakeside park.

To meet the growing demand for space, the Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation launched an international competition for an extension to the old manor. The winning design came from MX_SI, a Barcelona-based firm. Their new building, called The Pavilion, quickly gained recognition for its elegant design and thoughtful integration with the natural surroundings.

The interiors of the Pavilion were carefully crafted to match the architectural vision. When selecting lighting for the lobby and restaurant, the architects turned to Secto Design, drawn by their use of ecological materials and clean, minimalist forms. The result? A seamless blend of function and beauty, where the Secto lamps echo the Pavilion’s rhythm and spirit.

The Secto lamps resonate with the composition and spirit of the Pavilion. Photo by Laura Vesa.

Throughout the design process, MX_SI and Secto Design explored various lamp models before settling on the classic Secto 4200 pendant. These black lamps add a striking visual element to the museum’s restaurant, while their warm glow creates a welcoming atmosphere for visitors immersed in art and nature. The wooden texture of the lamps also subtly connects the interior with the surrounding birch trees, reinforcing the sense of harmony between architecture and landscape.

Architect Seppo Koho, the designer behind the Secto lamps, sees the Serlachius Museum as a perfect fit for their work. “It’s not just about the material or the form,” he says. “It’s about the shared spirit of innovation and respect for nature.”

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