Rauma Receives Pro Metsä Award for Promoting Timber Construction
News
The Southwest Finland Forest Council has awarded the 2026 Pro metsä Award to the City of Rauma and the timber-built Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre. The award recognises active and effective work in promoting forests and the forest sector, as well as advancing the goals of regional forest programmes. It was presented on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at the Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre.
Promoting public timber construction is one of the key objectives of the Southwest Finland Forest Programme for 2026–2030. Rauma is committed to sustainable construction by using solid timber structures and wood surfaces in its building projects. Timber has been used extensively in the award-winning Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre.
– The Pro metsä Award feels particularly meaningful, as the Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre has been built to serve residents long into the future. Timber construction combines sustainability, functionality and comfort in a way we are proud of in Rauma, says Kimmo Salminen, Acting Facility Service Director.
Timber solutions are also being utilised in other construction projects in Rauma.
– It is very positive to see that, in addition to the Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre, solid timber structures are being used in the Nanunkallio school, daycare centre and preparation kitchen currently under construction. Wood surfaces are also featured prominently at the relatively new Karin kampus, says Maija Perävainio, Chair of the Southwest Finland Forest Council.
– The Southwest Finland Forest Council considers it important to highlight exemplary projects demonstrating the use of wood in public construction. In timber buildings, carbon is stored in long-lasting wood products, says Minna Rautalin, Head of Economic Development at the Finnish Forest Centre.
At the award ceremony, the City of Rauma received a Pro metsä certificate of honour. A tree was also planted during the event to symbolise growth, the future and community. The award was accepted by representatives of the City of Rauma’s Facility Services and the Uotila Wooden School and Day-Care Centre.
