Many service stations line the E75 highway that runs from Greece to the North Cape. One of the newest and probably most spectacular is the combined hotel, restaurant and filling station in Niemenharju next to Lake Kolima in central Finland. The building was designed by the Helsinki-based practice Studio Puisto.
An 8x8 m grid of 24 tree-like glulam columns forms the main building. These columns are repeated externally, where they hold up a large sweeping canopy, and internally in the restaurant. On top of the roof sits a volume that houses a small hotel with ten rooms. All the interior walls are made from CLT. The wood has been left exposed to enhance the natural feel and also to lend the service station an uncommon sense of calm. The exterior of the building is finished with horizontal cladding that is painted black.
Read more at studiopuisto.fi
