Misfit Wood Architecture - the use of natural shaped wood in architecture and construction
The PhD research explores the potential of a new architectural style using "whole wood" or 鈥渕isfit wood鈥 a minimally processed or unprocessed natural wood that doesn鈥檛 fit the requirements of standard timber. Building on the concept of Little Finlandia, where pine treetops鈥攖ypically discarded for pulp or energy鈥攚ere used as structural elements, the study investigates how underutilized wood material can contribute to architecture aesthetically, structurally, and environmentally.
Latest publications
Jaakko Torvinen
2025
Jaakko Torvinen, Jakob Sieder-Semlitsch, Jens Pedersen, Anders Kruse Aagaard, Niels Martin Larsen, Matti Kuittinen
2025
Structures and Architecture
Jaakko Torvinen, Matti Kuittinen, Jakob Sieder-Semlitsch, Niels Martin Larsen, Anders Kruse Aagaard, Jens Pedersen
2025
Jaakko Torvinen
2025
Jaakko Torvinen, Mark Hughes, Anne Toppinen, Matti Kuittinen
2025
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products
Jaakko Torvinen
2025
Jaakko Torvinen
2025
Jaakko Torvinen, Matti Kuittinen, Anders Kruse Aagaard, Niels Martin Larsen, Jens Pedersen, Jakob Sieder-Semlitsch
2025
Jaakko Torvinen, Havu J盲rvel盲, Elli Wendelin, Pekka Heikkinen, Ivan Blasi, Anna Sala Giralt
2024
Jaakko Torvinen, Elli Wendelin, Anna Sala Giralt, Ivan Blasi
2024
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Puusauna shortlisted for Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026: Life-enhancer of the year
This project, created for a private client on Finland's Kaunissaari island by architect Jaakko Torvinen, is an alluring balance of poetry-meets-functionality, immersed in the enchanting Finnish countryside. Puusauna, which means wood or tree sauna in English, is a traditional log cabin with intricate dovetail joints and a contemporary twist thanks to an overhanging handmade zinc roof, large windows, sophisticated wood detailing and treatments, and the use of real trees.<br/><br/>The tree trunks 鈥 replete with branches and knobbly bits 鈥 act as columns. It is something that had already been explored to great effect by the architect in his project Pikku-Finlandia, but Torvinen (who is also doing a PhD in the topic of naturally shaped wood in architecture and design) has taken things one step further here by using even more of the tree. Bespoke furniture and detailing by contributors such as Helsinki-based COMPANY, manufacturers Nikari and designer brand .TEBIAN, complete this gem of a design nicely.
Invitation or ranking in competition
Department of Architecture
Jan 2025
Architizer A+A Award 2023 - Little Finlandia (Finalist)
Architizer A+A Award 2023 Finalist<br/>Commercial 鈥 Pop-Up, Cultural
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Jan 2023
EUmies Awards 2024 - Little Finlandia (nominee)
Little Finlandia (Pikku-Finlandia) nominated in EUmies Awards.
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Jan 2024
Wood Design Award
Wooden installation designed and built for the Scandinavian Midsummer festival in collaboration with students from the Kogakuin University in Tokyo.
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Jan 2024
Kone Foundation: four-year grant for doctoral research
A four-year personal grant for doctoral research with a title: <br/>Whole-wood architecture - the use of marginal wood in architecture and construction
Granted funding (personal grants)
Department of Architecture
Jan 2024
EUMies Awards - Young Talent 2023 Finalist
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Jan 2023
Next Generation 2022
Wallpaper* Magazine, Next Generation 2022 nomination for being one of the 22 outstanding graduates from around the globe
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Jan 2022
Honorable Mention - Puupalkinto 2022
The jury awarded Pikku-Finlandia with an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Puupalkinto - Finnish Wood Award competition.
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Nov 2022
Yleis枚n suosikki - Puupalkinto 2022
Pikku-Finlandia won the annual Puupalkinto / Wood Prize public vote in 2022.
Award or honor granted for a specific work
Department of Architecture
Nov 2022
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
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