MuniFin / Finland’s largest wooden school “never sleeps”

What kind of projects do green bonds actually make possible? As part of the 10th anniversary of green finance, we showcase its impactful achievements – such as Finland’s largest wooden school. The Mansikkala school is a EUR 55 million flagship project for the City of Imatra that has delivered energy savings and carbon-light construction as well as a comfortable, beloved teaching and learning environment.

Mansikkala’s wooden school is a true multi-purpose hub. Alongside the comprehensive and upper secondary schools, the building also hosts a daycare centre with round‑the‑clock care, a preschool, health clinic and student welfare services run by the South Karelia Wellbeing Services County, youth facilities, an adult education centre, a music institute, and several sports clubs.

– The school has what we call a ‘third term’ – the building is in active use well beyond school and daycare hours. It never sleeps, says Petri Nuutinen, Facility Management Manager for the City of Imatra.

Wood enhances wellbeing

Wood has been used boldly and extensively throughout the Mansikkala school campus. The structure is built almost entirely from low‑carbon, wood‑based elements, with concrete used only in the foundations, staircases and civil defence shelters.

Having now served its users for more than five years, the results are overwhelmingly positive.

– Our wooden school is bright, acoustically pleasant and has a warm, inviting atmosphere and most importantly, excellent indoor air quality. Studying and working here is healthy. The use of wood has clearly improved the overall comfort of the school, says Lasse Tiilikka, Principal of Mansikkala School.

– I would also highlight carbon neutrality as one of the major advantages of wooden construction, adds Petri Nuutinen.

Where challenges have emerged, they are linked to the natural behaviour of wood. According to Nuutinen, shrinkage during periods of low air humidity, as well as fire protection and airtightness, have required careful management.

While the building offers a strong foundation for learning, it does not run the everyday routines on its own. Several development initiatives have supported smooth school operations, including significant investment in pedagogy.

– The most important factor in our day‑to‑day success is still our fantastic staff, who do excellent work to support the learning and growth of our children and young people, Tiilikka stresses.

With so many services operating under one roof, dialogue and cooperation become essential. Tiilikka says shared spaces have strengthened the sense of community.

– Cooperation works seamlessly with all users of the school centre, and this sense of community is an enormous asset in our daily work.

Climate goals at the heart of the project

Mansikkala is not just a school or even just a multi-purpose hub; it is a project that represents Imatra’s intent when it comes to climate ambitions. At EUR 55 million, it is the largest single investment in the city’s history. The school’s design and construction were guided by the city’s climate ambitions. Imatra aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, and buildings play a crucial role in achieving this target. The city’s climate programme prioritises increased use of sustainable energy and improved energy efficiency.

Imatra’s 2030 aim aligns with the whole of Finland: the country’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035 is among the world’s most ambitious national targets. Finland’s national climate policy also sets targets to reduce emissions (compared to 1990 levels) by 60% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and 90 to 95% by 2050. Construction and use of buildings has a key role in reaching these targets as approximately a third of Finland’s emissions is created by the built environment.

The Mansikkala school’s construction and use reflects these ambitious goals. The school’s energy efficiency holds an ambition familiar for many green projects, but it also delivers a rare and positive outperformance: according to Petri Nuutinen, the school has met, and in some cases exceeded, its energy targets.

– Heating and cooling rely on geothermal energy. Cooling during summer is both energy‑efficient and inexpensive. In terms of heating, we have achieved around 550 MWh more annual energy savings than initially targeted, Nuutinen explains with satisfaction.

A magnet for families and visitors

Finland’s largest wooden school has captured attention locally and nationally. So many families have moved into the area that, for now, the main building cannot accommodate all pupils. Temporary modular classrooms will remain in place at least until spring 2028.

The campus has also become a popular destination for professional visits.

– The school has been of particular interest to Dutch delegations, but we have welcomed visitors from Estonia, China and numerous Finnish municipalities, says Tiilikka.