Lohja Water Tower

The water tower’s reservoir holds 1,350 cubic metres of water. Its classically curved façade is built using the NAPSU system, known for its Nordic character, durability, and refined appearance.

Aluminium Slats Outperformed Ceramic Ones

Finnish Consulting Group (FCG) was responsible for the overall design of the Lohja water tower. Asko Miettinen, lead designer and structural engineer of the project, explains that the facade was originally intended to be built with ceramic rods, following architect Rainer Linderborg’s concept:

– However, due to cost pressures, the material was changed to aluminium. It was also considered a safer choice. The cheaper option proved to be a strong solution aesthetically as well.

Aluminium offers several advantages as a material, including lightness, durability, and Nordic origin. In addition, the NAPSU louvre slat system is quick to install without visible fasteners. According to Product Manager Lauri Hautanen, NAPSU is designed with safety and durability in mind: there is no risk of breakage or falling parts. Various surface treatments can further enhance longevity:

– In this project, the client required an extremely durable finish. Purso handles not only aluminium extrusion but also all necessary further processing, such as various surface treatments and bending, Hautanen explains.

When finishing aluminium profiles, colour shades and gloss levels can be freely selected to meet the project’s requirements. Purso’s in‑house powder-coating facility also enables a wide range of textured and pearlescent effects.

A Lively Surface with NAPSU

The NAPSU system adapts effortlessly to curved structures. For the water tower facade, customed 50×60‑millimetre NAPSU louvers were painted in varying shades.

The aim was to ensure the building blends harmoniously into the landscape throughout the year. According to FCG’s Asko Miettinen, the facade colours were selected to complement both the red‑brick exterior of the old water tower and the surrounding environment:

– I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I’ve always been fascinated by the orange‑yellow bark found high on pine trees. That image guided me when choosing a colour from the chart that matched the architect’s vision.

In addition to the striking orange, the facade features slats in brown and red tones. Architect Juha Lehto from FCG, who joined the project later, confirmed that the chosen shades were spot on. Markus Moisio, Technical Director of the City of Lohja, describes the water tower as an exceptionally successful project:

– The new water tower is absolutely magnificent! It keeps receiving praise, Moisio enthuses.

NAPSU aluminium lamellas enable a beautiful and durable surface not only for full façades but also for decorative details or suspended ceilings. The design can be explored using the product configurator.