Versowood headquarters

A showcase of timber construction without sprinklers

Versowood wanted to build the finest timber-structured headquarters in Finland, a building that is high-quality, functional, and an ambitious example of what modern timber construction can achieve. The result is exceptional: like a pavilion in the middle of a forest, where nature is constantly present through large windows and wood is visible, tangible, and breathing everywhere.

For Versowood, it was essential that fire protection would not alter the character or aesthetics of the wood. Treet was selected specifically because of the appearance and quality of the finish. The fire-retardant treatment allowed for a uniform look alongside other wood surface treatments, and the shade was customized for the project using a sample piece. The end result blends seamlessly into the building’s architecture: fire safety is present, but invisible.

Basic information

Type of Building:
Office building
Fire protection class:
B-s1,d0
Location:
Vierumäki, Finland
Fire protected:
Interior wood surfaces

When wood is the identity, the headquarters must speak the same language

The Versowood headquarters has been built almost entirely from wood. Concrete has been used only in the ground floor slab, and all load-bearing structures are made from Versowood’s own solid wood products. The building serves not only as office space but also as a living showroom, showcasing the versatile use of wood from solid wood elements and beams to pallets and cable reels.

Fire safety without compromises – and without sprinklers

At the early stages of the project, it was assumed that a timber building would require a sprinkler system. Upon closer examination, however, sprinklers proved to be both a significant lifecycle cost and a risky solution, especially in a timber building, where large volumes of water could cause substantial damage.

Alternatives were explored together with a fire consultant, and the solution was found in Treet’s fire-retardant treatment, which made it possible to meet all required fire safety criteria without a sprinkler system. The load-bearing timber structures did not require fire protection, but all other visible wooden surfaces were treated with the NORFLAM W310 (NT Deco) flame retardant.

"This fire-retardant is an outstanding innovation. It enabled the realization of a timber building like this without sprinklers, avoiding the significant costs and potential damage they would have entailed.”

– Tuomas Huuskonen, Project Manager, Versowood

Versowood Oy

Finland’s largest private sawn timber producer and processor. The company has an annual turnover of approximately EUR 700 million and employs over 1,000 people in 15 units in Finland and one unit in Estonia. Versowood produces nearly 2 million cubic metres of sawn timber annually.

In addition the company manufactures further processed products like planed, painted and impregnated products, glulam products and structures, telephone and electricity poles, wooden bridges, noise barriers, different types of wooden packaging, as well forest-based energy and wood pellets.