Demolition Work Reveals the Original Stone Walls of the Saari Manor Barn

During the renovation of the stone barn at Saari Manor, built in 1858, the building’s original stone walls have once again come into view. After the renovation, the Barn and the neighbouring Grain Dryer will house workspaces for the residency artists. The work will be completed by early 2028.

The Barn’s History Comes to Light

All the buildings at Saari Manor are protected under the Act on the Protection of the Built Heritage, and this protection guides the renovation work. The Barn’s stone walls will be preserved, and demolition will focus on the interior structures and the roof.

The demolition has uncovered parts of the building’s history, including traces of the 1968 fire and alterations made over the decades. Next, the renovation continues with the dismantling of the base floor and roof structures.

The fire destroyed the Barn’s upper floor. It is now being rebuilt, and the Barn will return to its original two-storey height.

From a Barn for a Hundred Cows to Artists’ Workspaces

The Barn was originally built for a hundred cows. After the renovation, it will house:

• workspaces for four visual artists
• workshops for wood and clay work as well as textiles and other soft materials
• two performing arts studios and a media studio
• a gym
• a large shared kitchen and lounge area.

Writers’ Studios in the Grain Dryer

Alongside the Barn, the old grain dryer between the Barn and the machinery hall is also being renovated. It will have four studios for artists engaged in literary work, and an exhibition space on the ground floor for the artists in residence.

Electrical, plumbing, and ventilation work is currently underway in the dryer. Next, they will install windows, carry out metalwork, and build an outdoor ramp.

The Machinery Hall was Completed First

The first part of the renovation, the Machinery Hall in the courtyard, was completed in August. It previously stored machinery for the manor’s grounds maintenance and for the Southwest Finland Research Station of the former Agricultural Research Centre of Finland. The Machinery Hall is now a modern maintenance facility, and grounds and property maintenance, as well as cleaning services, have moved there.

With maintenance moving to the Machinery Hall, the Barn has freed up space for artists’ work. At the same time, the Barn’s inner courtyard will become quieter, as traffic related to park maintenance, for example, will now be directed to the machinery hall.

Workspaces in Use from 2028

The renovation is on schedule. Once completed, every artist selected for an individual residency will have their own workspace in the Barn or the dryer, in addition to their accommodation. Working pairs will share a workspace, and each summer working group will have its own workspace.

Design and Construction

The Danish architecture firm pihlmann architects is responsible for the architectural design of the renovation. TKU Rakennus Oy is the construction management contractor.
The principal designer for the project is ARK Takala, and the project management consultant is Rakennuttajatoimisto HLC Oy.
Other contractors and experts involved in the project include LVI-suunnittelu Suhde Oy, Rejlers Rakentaminen Oy, Blääni Oy, Promethor Oy, Jensen Hughes Finland Oy, Probemen Oy, Riesa Oy and the Finnish Heritage Agency.