Architecture

Up periscope: Finland's grounded observation tower

Up periscope: Finland's grounded observation tower
The Periscope Tower located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland
The Periscope Tower located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland, Periscope Tower comprises three prefabricated wooden sections, topped by a roof
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Located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland, Periscope Tower comprises three prefabricated wooden sections, topped by a roof
The Periscope Tower located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland
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The Periscope Tower located by a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland
The tower is part of a larger landscaping project to turn the area into a recreation area suitable for all
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The tower is part of a larger landscaping project to turn the area into a recreation area suitable for all
Anyone unwilling or unable to the stairs can instead choose to enter the tower's ground floor and take in a reflected image of the view at the top, created by two large mirrors
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Anyone unwilling or unable to the stairs can instead choose to enter the tower's ground floor and take in a reflected image of the view at the top, created by two large mirrors
Those who are physically able can climb the stairs to the top and take in the great view
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Those who are physically able can climb the stairs to the top and take in the great view
View from the tower
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View from the tower
View from the tower
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View from the tower
The tower is made wholly from wood and features a CLT (cross-laminated timber) core which supports a circling staircase
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The tower is made wholly from wood and features a CLT (cross-laminated timber) core which supports a circling staircase
The image is reflected with the use of two mirrors
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The image is reflected with the use of two mirrors
Wheelchair bound visitors can navigate to the tower's base can sit at the bottom and take in a reflected image though a periscope viewfinder
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Wheelchair bound visitors can navigate to the tower's base can sit at the bottom and take in a reflected image though a periscope viewfinder
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
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As its name suggests, OOPEAA's Periscope Tower serves as an oversized periscope thanks to a pair of carefully-placed mirrors integrated into its core. No mere gimmick, the prefabricated observation tower ensures visitors can take in a raised view from ground level.

Located next to a man-made lake near Seinäjoki, Finland, the Periscope Tower is constructed from wood and features a CLT (cross-laminated timber) core, which supports a circling staircase leading to the top.

Anyone unwilling or unable to climb the stairs can instead choose to remain at the tower's base and take in a reflected image of the view at the top, created by two large mirrors. Unfortunately, the mirrors aren't pictured in the supplied images, though you can tell what's happening from the architectural drawings.

Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower
Architectural drawing of the Periscope Tower

Of course, the ideal situation would be to allow wheelchair users to take an elevator to the top and check out the view in person. Still, for a modest rural project, it's an elegant way of balancing budget and accessibility concerns.

The tower is part of a larger landscaping project to make the area into an accessible recreation spot and opened to the public last Friday.

Source: OOPEAA via Arch Daily

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