Lohrmannin Makasiini

HÄMEENLINNA ART MUSEUM,
LOHRMANN´S GRANARY
Hämeenlinna 1995 - 1997

The youngest granary in Hämeenlinna isdesigned by Ernst Bernhardt Lohrmann in 1852. It situates axially opposite Engel´s Granary, completed ten years earlier and designed by Carl Ludwig Engel in 1837. The oldest building on the site is the adjacent King´s Granary built of logs in 1827 and transferred on its site from Parola in 1832.

The alteration was initiated in 1995 when art collectors Henna and Pertti Niemistö and City of Hämeenlinna agreed on the placement of prominent part of Niemistö´s collection in Lohrmann´s Granary. The aims of the alteration were to retain essential architectural differences between the two granaries. The Engel´s Granary continues to house the valuable collections of Hämeenlinna Art Museum while Lorhmann´s Granary houses the contemporary art collections of Henna and Pertti Niemistö, as well as the annual exhibitions of the winners of the Ars Fennica prizes.

For museum use Lorhmanns Granary was provided with heating and the closely placed wooden structures and intermediate floors had to be replaced by a reinforced concrete slab that could bear the loads. As a new element the slab was designed to "hover free" of the exterior walls. In the demolition phase the attics were supported by steel columns which later served as ventilation tubes. The first floor material is taken from the old wood structures.

The old moist brick walls were lightly bagged with lime plaster. The treatment aimed to transfer the crystallisation of old plaster salts from the brick surfaces to the new plaster layer, which if needed could be easily restored.

For displays the museum was provided with movable screens, which allow the alteration of the interior according to different artistic intentions. In concerts the screens serve as acoustical elements.

Existing windows and sky lights were used as sources of day light. Public service facilities were realised as low plywood-clad "grain bins". Coat racks, movable poster racks, benches and tables were made of waxed pinewood and plywood with timber joints.

PROJECT INFORMATION
Client: Hämeenlinna City, Technical Section
Inventory and documentation: Hämeenlinna City, Technical Section
Art collection: Henna and Pertti Niemistö´s, Ars Fennica Art Foundation
User organisation: Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Ulla Huhtamäki, director of the museum
Gross area: 1 625 m2
Volume: 8 740 m3
Costs: 15 000 000 FIM VAT 22%, 2 500 000 EUR VAT 22%
Financing: Support from The Ministry of Education and The National Board of Antiquities

Architecture and interior design: ARRAK Architects Kiiskilä, Rautiola, Rautiola Ltd / Hannu Kiiskilä architect Safa M.Sc / Hanna Pitkänen architect Safa M.Sc, Marja Nissinen architect Safa M.Sc, Sirkka-Liisa Sundvall architect Safa M.Sc, Kaisa Tynkkynen architect Safa M.Sc
Structural design: Engineer Office K&H Ltd / Kari Helminen engineer M.Sc
HVAC design: Timo Penttilä Company Ltd/ Jukka Sainio engineer
Electrical, lighting and security design: Projectus Team Ltd / Erkki Hakanen engineer

Contractor: Janakkalan Talonrakennus Oy / Mauri Salonen, bm engineer
Metal work: Hämeen Teräsrakenne Oy
Fixed furniture: Haapaveden Puukaluste Oy
Movable furniture: Hauhon Puu Oy and Vivero Oy

Publications: ARK 1 / 1999, 10x10 Phaidon Press, London 2000

Historical photos:
1. Hämeenlinna City Historial Museum
2. Hämeenlinna Art Museum / Rauni Heinänen

Photos. Matti Karjanoja architect Safa M.Sc

Links:
http://www.hameenlinna.fi/taidemuseo/
http://www.arsfennica.fi