Luola in Savilahti

In the cave

Davidsson Tarkela Oy

The Luola sports and event center is a fine example of architecture that accepts – and enriches – a challenging location.

Luola

The sports and event center in Savilahti, Finland, with the beautiful name “Luola” (cave) transforms a former depot of the Finnish armed forces into a versatile multi-purpose facility with a focus on sports. Luola is largely located in the Neulamäki rock, with only the entrance areas visible from the outside.

The building was designed to be as flexible as possible, as it has to cater to very different user groups: School classes, universities, individuals and smaller groups, event visitors and, of course, sports clubs. In addition to sporting events of all kinds and performance classes, large events such as concerts and seminars also take place here. Luola also serves as a civil defense bunker for almost 7,000 people.

The design was created by Davidsson Tarkela Oy.

Into the rock

Luola is the new center of the up-and-coming Savilahti district in Kuopio (120,000 inhabitants) and connects a new residential area with the center of the district.

The sports center stands out prominently in the valley landscape, although most of its volume is hidden in the rock. The 550m² entrance area, designed with glass and metal, is visible. Reception, cafeteria and offices are located here. The event area is accessed from here. The escape routes and ventilation technology in the tunnels behind remain invisible.

The concave, perforated aluminum panels of the façade with their earthy coloring blend in well with the surrounding rock. The façade also includes a rock wall installation by artists Pasi Rauhala and Jaakko Niemelä.

Organization

Luola has two sports and event centers: Events with up to 2,500 spectators take place in the large hall, and there are also three fitness studios and a two-storey sports hall. The changing rooms and technical facilities are centrally located on three levels.

Inside, a darkly designed café with panoramic views frames the surrounding nature. On the way to the sports halls, you first pass through a deep blue, cave-like anteroom that separates the outside world from the interior spaces carved into the rock. In the spatial hierarchy, the main public areas are accentuated with bold colors, while the side rooms are left in raw, grey concrete.

Project data

Designer

Architects Davidsson Tarkela
Kasarmikatu 36
00130 Helsinki
Finland

Building owner

City of Kuopio

Opening

2024

Address

Luola – Savilahden liikunta- ja tapahtumakeskus
Loistekatu 12,
70210 Kuopio
Finland

Photos

Tuomas Uusheimo

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
More Sports Media

Drawings

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